Thursday, October 24, 2019

Posted By on Thu, Oct 24, 2019 at 1:00 AM

click to enlarge XOXO: Where to Rock, Thursday, Oct. 24
DJ Atom Energy
Taking you Deeper into the vaults of EDM, DJs Atom Energy and LunarFluxx tap into a motherlode of house. At Bar Passé...

Singer-songwriter Joe Peña's distinctive blues songs bear enough heart to prompt St. Peter to give this sinner a pass. He performs on the patio at Agustin Kitchen...

Pianist and composer Larry Redhouse leads a world-class ensemble whose repertoire incorporates straight-ahead jazz, Latin, funk and reggae. The Larry Redhouse Trio play the Lookout Bar and Grille at the Westward Look Resort...

Tucson Jazz Guild hosts Jam for Vets. Featuring Chakalo, Beyond Words! and Tony Frank & Mike Moynihan. At Irene's Holy Donuts. A portion of the proceeds to benefit Pay It Forward Tucson, a local charity helping homeless veterans and low income families...

Whether it's funk, disco, rock or early new wave, DJ Carl Hanni drops the needle on '70s timebombs. At The Libertine...

A DJ Competition is taking place at Gentle Ben's. Five DJs step behind the decks, rockin' 30-minute sets, for a chance to perform on the DUSK Music Festival main stage in November...

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Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Posted By on Wed, Oct 23, 2019 at 1:00 AM

In a program that features works by Dvořák, Hindemith and Schnittke, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music presents The Russia String Orchestra. At the Leo Rich Theatre...

Embodying the spirits of Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and Bob Wills in his hooch-sodden, smile-through-the-pain honky-tonk, "The world's finest purveyor of juke-joint swing," Wayne "The Train" Hancock cuts loose. At 191 Toole...

This installment of Ladytowne Live—your favorite local feminist variety show—features a comedy set by Andrea Salazar. A performance by Rambo Rose. Interviews with Racheal Rios, Julie Jennings Patterson and friends from KMKR Radio 99.9 FM. At Club Congress...

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Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Posted By on Tue, Oct 22, 2019 at 1:00 AM

click to enlarge XOXO: Where to Rock, Tuesday, Oct. 22
Photo by Infrogmation
Rebirth Brass Band
A New Orleans treasure, they came up from playing the streets of the French Quarter to festival stages all over the world. Their hip-shaking sound upholds brass band traditions while adding ladlefuls of savory funk and hip-hop into the stockpot. Rebirth Brass Band brings the non-stop party machine to The Rialto Theater...

Like the biblical pestilences—water turning to blood, locusts and hail, darkness and the killing of firstborn children—that ran through Ramses' Egypt, Plague Vendor proselytize at 191 Toole. Up first, sans supervision, No Parents run amok...

With an eye to the future, POSIS8N presents Underground Rising Vol 2. Featuring up-and-comers Rated-R, $lim Tuc, Trippboi x Lil Skank, Dame X Chuxxi and others. At Club Congress...

Although the songs on Begin the Glimmer (2018) were crafted with workmanlike precision, once in the studio this singer-songwriter—playing every instrument on the album himself—approached recording with an eye toward the unrehearsed. "I just wanted to be less precious with the performance." From Memphis, Stephan Chopek performs acoustically at Sky Bar...

In 2001, "Click Click Boom" and "Superstar" landing on The Fast and the Furious soundtrack significantly altered these Tennesseans musical trajectory. Grammy nominated nu metallists Saliva return talking "Some Sh*t About Love." At EncoreTucson. Locals Drop D kick things off...

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Monday, October 21, 2019

Posted By on Mon, Oct 21, 2019 at 1:00 AM

With a voice that ranges from softly melodic to impassioned caterwauling, at the peppy age of 14, this singer-songwriter/author founded art-punk band Throwing Muses with her step-sister Tanya Donelly back in 1981. In continuum, as a solo artist her prolific output is an assemblage of jagged emotional edges tempered by plain-spoken folk. "The songs keep on writing themselves, and I really love them. It's as close as I get to a religion." In a special solo acoustic performance, Kristin Hersh is at 191 Toole...

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Posted By on Mon, Oct 21, 2019 at 1:00 AM

Adoptable Pets: Roy Needs a Home
HSSA
Roy the cat
“Hi there! My name is Roy and I am a 6-year-old boy who is searching for my forever home. I am a very sweet boy who loves to curl up in my favorite person’s arms. When you talk to me I will kneed and purr. I will do best in a home with no cats and calmer, older kids.” Roy (863640)

To learn more about Roy give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173 or visit him at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd.

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Saturday, October 19, 2019

Posted By on Sat, Oct 19, 2019 at 1:00 AM

click to enlarge XOXO: Where to Rock This Weekend, Oct. 19-20
Courtesy photo
The Senators
Saturday, Oct. 19

On "Room 13," braving the paper-thin walls, and the sin that echoes throughout the hallway in the dead of night, singer-songwriter Jesse Malin—with a little help from Lucinda Williams—"Spent some time in a hotel room/Thinking about love." With former Lonely Astronaut/one-man band Joseph Arthur...

Vogue has called this band "equal parts heartthrobs and fashion risk takers." From Dripping Springs, Texas, the neo-traditional country of Midland permeates the night air at AVA Amphitheater...

Accompanied by upright bassist Thøger Lund and vibraphonist Ben DeGain, Gabrielle Pietrangelo, sings romantic songs from the 1930s and '40s. In the courtyard at Mercado San Agustin...

Striding away from the ill-lit gloom, walking the "Straight Line" again, post-punk/shoegazers Early Black sing of love, life and murder. At Sky Bar. With Soda Sun and Andrew Gardner...

Citing the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War and folk music revival of the 1960s as influences, musical storyteller/political satirist Charlie King performs at Unitarian Universalist Church. All donations to benefit People's Defense Initiative (sponsoring Prop 205) to make Tucson a Sanctuary City...

Desert Dweller After Show—with Get A Grip, Plague Years, Lead Dream, Skin Ticket and others—takes place at The Dive Bar...

An afternoon of storytelling and darkly beautiful music is on the menu when For Love or Absinthe perform at The Madhatter's Tea Party. At Monterey Court...

Later, force of nature vocalist/instrumentalist Connie Brannock celebrates her 64th birthday with her crew. The Little House of Funk are throwing a dance party. At Monterey Court...

Folding together three-part harmonies with Americana and rock, The End of America tell tales of dystopia and other things. At Club Congress. With award-winning alt-folk duo Ryanhood...

Celebrating unity through music, Reggae in the Park sees DJs Papa Ranger, Jahmar International and FreshWaves spin. Lion Brimstone and Dub Society perform. At Historic Fort Lowell Park...

"For those about to rock/We salute you." The Jack: The ultimate tribute to AC-DC perform at Nam to Sand Jam 2019. At the Reid Park Bandshell...

In the weeks following the release of Promised Land—a three song EP recorded in an old converted barn/recording studio in the Catskills with acclaimed producer Simone Felice—this Phoenix folk band was streamed over a quarter million times on Spotify and then was licensed for overhead play in Starbucks nationwide. The Senators bring their winning formula to Exo Bar. Rebekah Rolland is first up at the mic...

Club Sanctuary presents Spooktacular. DJs Plastic Disease, Black Flagg and special guest Mijito spin industrial/EBM/electro. At Surly Wench Pub. Proceeds to benefit the Health & Wellness Community Resource Center...

Bi-coastal synth/electronic enchantress L'Freaq brings the alluring dark-hued confection—inspired by R&B and edgy pop—that is found on Weird Awakenings to Passé...

Sunday, Oct. 20


click to enlarge XOXO: Where to Rock This Weekend, Oct. 19-20
Alterna2 http://www.alterna2.com - Atreyu @ Razz2
Two decades after these SoCal metalcore mavericks first left their imprint, drummer Brandon Saller says their latest, In Our Wake (Spinefarm Records, 2018, "is the record that people will remember our band by. We've loved each other. And we've wanted to kill each other. Somehow, 20 years later, I feel like we've never been more on fire than we are now." Atreyu roll The 20 Year Anniversary Tour into the Rialto Theatre. Whitechapel, He Is Legend, Tempting Fate and Santa Cruz bring party favors...

Utilizing instruments he has designed, musician/instrument builder Nick Demopoulos has performed his unique interactive computer music at Lincoln Center, and has been featured on the Discovery Science Network. Smomid is at Solar Culture Gallery...

The Miss Gay Metropolis America Pageant take place at the 191 Toole. Perfect Illusion: A Night of Gaga honors Coco St. James...

The Sofia Rankin Trio, John Hisey, The Turnouts and The County Line will perform at First Responders Music Fest: A benefit for Southern Arizona Disabled Firefighters. On the Hotel Congress plaza...

Four stages of live music, food trucks and fun for all. Yes, it's Porch Fest. In the Garden District...

Mattea will perform at The 2nd Annual Electric Witch Workshop. This year's workshop will focus on music production, sound engineering and "The Theater of the Mind" (radio). At Xerocraft...

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Friday, October 18, 2019

Posted By on Fri, Oct 18, 2019 at 1:00 AM

XOXO: Where to Rock, Friday, Oct. 18
First Access Entertainment Limited (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Lil' Peep (Wikicommons)
In the "Spotlight" again. Disciples gather to raise a cup to Lil' Peep. A rising star, this rapper/singer—described by Pitchfork as "The future of emo"—helped pioneer emo-rap. Peep's life took a tragic change of direction in Nov 2017 when he overdosed on fentanyl and Xanax on a tour bus prior to a performance at The Rock in Tucson. The "emo-trap heartthrob" was just 21. Recently, his mother filed a lawsuit against the agency/label that handled Peep's career for negligence, breach of contract and wrongful death alleging that her son was pushed to perform and plied with drugs. The Peep Show: A Hip-Hop & Metal Memorial to Lil' Peep is at the Rialto Theatre. Liquid Space, Atmosphere, Flying Half Full, Exit Dream, Tribulance, Peep Show, Decenvir and Beyond The Firewall attempt to fill the void...

Che's Lounge, TallBoys and Wooden Tooth Records present Woodenstock. Featuring The Oblivians, DBUK, Lenguas Largas, Acorn Bcorn, The Exbats and Rocket 808. See woodentoothrecords.com for details...

The Third Annual Desert Dweller Fest—a two-day Dionysian celebration of hardcore music—takes place at Global Justice Center. Featuring Absence of Mine, The Beautiful Ones, King Nine, Drain, Easy Money, Construct, Concrete Evidence, Jinx, Hands of God, Iniquity and many more. All-ages...

Not everyone can claim to have worked with "Godmother of Punk Rock" Patti Smith. Guitarist Oliver Ray can. C'mon, is that not enough street cred to get your tired carcass off the couch? Along with the rock/soul/folk of Whiskerman, whose frontman Graham Patzner will crow like a medicine show preacher, and then murmur you into his lovesick arms. (Or so they claim.) On the plaza at Hotel Congress...

In a Rabelaisian celebration of liberation from restraint and societal dogma, under the stewardship of Tucson Libertine League's Lola Torch, Reveal: A Debut of Burlesque Performances unveils itself at 191 Toole...

Taco Sauce succeeds in marrying the swingin' swayin' groove of Martha and the Vandellas with the ball-busting swagger of Pussy Riot. Catch them at Club Congress with Sur Block and R&B artist Stevie Rose...

These Cleveland nu metallists are known for their theatrical performances replete with costumes and scary masks that personify fantastical and unsettling music. Out on The Halloween Tour, nu metallists Mushroomhead tell Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children. At EncoreTucson. He Kill 3 and Dead Superstar rise from the dead to open the show...

These local faves recently played the storied Viper Room in West Hollywood. Not every band can make that claim. Miss Olivia and the Interlopers are in the tasting room at Sand-Reckoner...

Phoenix's Paper Foxes make their Pop Confessions at Passé. With Black Medicine and Weekend Lovers...

Tracing back the roots of country music from the verdant trails of Appalachia to the gritty streets of Bakersfield, Freddy Parish hosts Dry 'n' Dusty at Exo Bar...

Gila Byte, In Lessons and The Öhmlauts disrupt the magnetic field. At Irene's Holy Donuts...

A double dose is better. Rolla Acosta celebrate their 10-year reunion at Saint Charles Tavern. With The Jacob Acosta Band...

Where percussion, culture, poetry and dance intersect, this musical project was created with the vision of setting Afro-Latin music en fuego. El Tambó presents El Santo Golpe. On the Hotel Congress plaza. With resident turntablists Sonido Tambó dropping dope shizzle...

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Thursday, October 17, 2019

Posted By on Thu, Oct 17, 2019 at 1:00 AM

click to enlarge Laughing Stock: Time for a nice stew!
William Clare Entertainment
Bobby Slayton, comedy pioneer of the west campus, performs Friday, Oct. 18, in Standup for Humanity.

New! New! New!

Nationally prominent comedian Bobby Slayton, known as The Pitbull of Comedy, headlines Stand-Up for Humanity at the PCC Center for the Arts on Friday, Oct. 18. It’s a charity event that introduces a first-time producer, Rene Valdez, and inaugurates the Center for the Arts as a comedy venue. Tickets for the 18+ show are $24 or $35 VIP via Eventbrite.

The ambitious project includes food trucks and a raffle in which show-goers exchange non-perishable food items for a chance to win prizes including a two-day resort package. The food goes to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

Ticket Proceeds benefit the Esperanza Dance Project and the Forgotten Children Foundation. “My childhood was pretty awesome,” Valdez says. “That’s why I'm deeply saddened about children who are robbed of their childhood. This show is my best effort to help them. Bobby was (my choice) to headline due to his charitable nature and because he was Leonard Cornfeathers on my all-time favorite TV show Family Guy.”

Slayton, often described as intense and energetic, has played more than a dozen such memorable characters. He played Joey Bishop in The Rat Pack, but he was also cast in Ed Wood, Get Shorty and two Woody Allen films, among many others. He’s seen and heard frequently on Sirius FM and HBO.

Valdez filled out the bill with popular Tucson comics Vicente "V" Trejo, Nicole Riesgo, Charles Ludwig and Monté Benjamin. “Hopefully this event will give everyone a small break from the everyday stresses of life.”

Comedians Who Aren't men

Ellen Doyle observes incidentals of daily life and imbues them with twisty, edgy humor. She says she owes her unique outlook to navigating Los Angeles as a Northeast Pennsylvania native. Doyle’s performed at some of the most respected venues in the U.S. as well as the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

At 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, she’ll headline the bimonthly Planned Parenthood benefit, Comedians Who Aren’t Men, at The O. Hosted by producer Autumn Horvat, the lineup includes Savannah Hernandez, Magghie O'Shea, Ashley Tappan, Mariah, Andrea Carmichael, Emma Stephens and Danyella Renae. Reservations are $5 and $10 via theoracle2000.com/events.

Tiny Meat Gang

Don’t you hate those smartasses who quit their jobs, start a podcast, attract millions of fans overnight, then tour the biggest comedy venues in the country? They’re supposed to come up through 30 years of the traditional grind.

Twenty-first-century brats Cody Ko and Noel Miller, AKA, Tiny Meat Gang, used to be software engineers. They have high-paid experience in disrupting things. They promise to be “pretty decent comedians” at The Rialto Theatre, Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 to $45, $140 includes a meet and greet, at rialtotheatre.com

You want comedy with that?

Tony’s New York Style Italian Deli hosts a third helping of Italian buffet and comedy at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct.19. The night’s lineup includes Jarrod Martin, Roxy Merrari, Andrew Scott and Kev Lee. Tony Bruhn hosts. Tickets are $15 via outlaw-comedy.ticketleap.com. Our favorite part is the patio seating that makes the show feel like cousin Sofia’s wedding dinner.

Don’t get mad, get even. VOTE!

Comedian Jamie Kilstein (Joe Rogan, Conan, Showtime, CNN) milks the news for all the best jokes to soothe our shattered nerves and screaming consciences. His daily headline snarking can inoculate us from the real thing but also prepare us to dodge landmines around the office party.
Kilstein performs at Borderlands Brewery at 7 p.m., Monday, October 21 with Phil Gordan, Alex Kack and me. Tickets are $5 at the door. Jamie Kilstein, Podcast Misfit, is available via Patreon, Stitcher and Spotify.

More Laughs!


Friday, Oct. 18: Standup with Augie Smith, feat. Alphonso Ochoa, at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe ($12.50 and $17.50). Improv with 201 Student Showcase and The Lobbyists at 7:30 p.m. and The Soapbox with Wailing Banshide Investigations at 9 p.m.; standup with Veterans and Beginners at 10:30 p.m., at Tucson Improv Movement(TIM)($5)Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m. at Unscrewed Theatre ($5 and $7).

Saturday, Oct. 19: High camp monthly event Retro Game Show Night features “It's a Spooky $9.95 Pyramid” at 7 p.m. at Club Congress. ($12, Eventbrite). Standup with Zeneth Nevers at 8 p.m. at The O ($5 - $10). Improv with The Game Show Show and Laugh Tracks at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Tarot-based Seasons Readings, Choice Cut and Triple Indemnity at 9 p.m. at TIM, ($5). Family-friendly improv with NBOJU at 7:30 p.m. followed by House Team Double Feature at 9 p.m. at Unscrewed Theater ($5 and $8).

Sunday, Oct. 20: Standup with The 5th Anniversary Estrogen Hour benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at Laffs Comedy Caffe ($15 via TinyURL.com/Estrogen5).

Free Open Mics

Sunday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Chuckleheads in Bisbee.
Monday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., Comedy at the Wench, The Surly Wench Pub.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 6:45 p.m., Neighborhood Comedy at The Music Box Lounge.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., The Screening Room and 8:30 p.m., The Mint.
Thursday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe and 8:30 p.m., Rockabilly Grill.

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Posted By on Thu, Oct 17, 2019 at 1:00 AM

click to enlarge XOXO: Where to Rock, Thursday, Oct. 17
Courtesy photo
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
The October edition of Resonance Monthly showcases the mad dubstep of Basshead, Lit Lords. At Gentle Ben's. Hvrdwood, DJ Mcwhite, Ramrod and Enri lend support...

From the canons of G.P. Telemann to the Romanian folk dances of Béla Bartók, Laura Tagawa and Sam Bounkeua perform a lovely evening of classical violin duets. On the patio at Agustin Kitchen...

"Clap Your Hands." Performing over 300 shows per year, country blues rockers Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band know how to "Raise A Little Hell." At 191 Toole. The Haymarket Squares add appreciably to the hoedown...

Indie and ambient sounds shall reach out, like an iron hand in a velvet glove, wrapping invisible fingers around the craw. SoCal's Creature Canyon and Moontrax are at Sky Bar...

Drawing from a repertoire of acoustic originals and covers, Mark Insley with guitarist Damon Barnaby are Americana's Most Wanted. At Iron John's Brewing Company–Congress...

Six performers, four original songs, taking turns round robin. Nashville music crusader Virginia Cannon presents a Thursday Night Live. At Monterey Court...

And, Croatian pop rockers Jinx bring Sextasy, for all to witness, to the Club Congress stage. Carnival, Evergreen and Shutter Vision take part in the bacchanal....

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Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Posted By on Wed, Oct 16, 2019 at 1:00 AM

click to enlarge XOXO: Where to Rock, Wednesday, Oct. 16
Courtesy photo
Lila Downs
Observing Dia de los Muertos al Chile, UA Presents multi-Grammy award-winning Mexican singer and cultural ambassador Lila Downs. With appearances by Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company and Mariachi Femenil Flores Mexicanas. At Centennial Hall...

This folk pop band is named after their grandfather in their native Oregon. And, like salve applied on a wound, the sincere words and genetically perfected harmonies these sisters—Natalie, Allison and Meegan—administer provide emotional remedy. Joseph wave a "White Flag." At 191 Toole. L.A. indie/folk/rock trio Run River North kick things off...

"Get the F*ck out of Here." Bordering on outright swagger—laden with hooks, propulsive guitar riffs, marching drum beats and the bombastic vocal delivery of lead singer Kobra Paige— Kobra and The Lotus' latest album Evolution takes the next step. At EncoreTucson...

The rumor mill continues to run riot. "The Sandman" Howe Gelb may show up and tickle the ivories. At The Coronet...

From San Francisco, out on the Fancy Acid Tour, "boba-psych" rockers Bear Call are at Sky Bar. La Cerca and Tropical Beach provide local support...

Golden Boots Duo + percussionist Tommy Larkins set the tone with relaxing instrumental background music. At The Coronet...

Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett performs for the first time ever, what is considered by many "the definitive Genesis album," Selling England By The Pound in its entirety. At the Fox Theatre...

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