Ballet Tucson recently announced its 2019-2020 season, which includes a steampunk version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a celebration of Dave Brubeck and brand new ballets by local artists.

For the Fall Season Opening Night Gala at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre on Thursday, October 31, Ballet Tucson's Artistic Director Mary Beth Cabana selected a triple bill of works. The Fall Concert continues these shows on November 1 and 3. 

• Jekyll & Hyde - Ballet Tucson’s fanciful “steampunk” rendition of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson dark Victorian novel. Choreography and concept by Chieko Imada and Mary Beth Cabana.
  
  
• Five Movements, Three Repeats (premiere) - Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon mixes modern dance with ballet in an inventive piece blending styles. Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.
  
  
• In the Mood - Popular “big band” music is at the heart of this swing-style revival. Choreography by Mark Schneider.

Footprints at The Fox, a partnership between Ballet Tucson and The Fox Theatre, returns for the third year in a row on Saturday, November 16. This performance features "the next generation of dance makers" performing new works. And that audience gets to vote for their favorite piece! 
For the Winter season, Ballet Tucson is performing The Nutcracker at Tucson Music Hall on Saturday, December 28 and Sunday, December 29.

Ballet Tucson is also performing their Winter Concert at Pima Community College West Campus' Proscenium Theatre from January 31 to February 2. This is presented in collaboration with Tucson Desert Song Festival, and features three performances:

• Serenade - Considered a milestone in dance history, this is the first ballet created in America by George Balanchine. Choreography by George Balanchine.
  
  
• Unsquare (premiere) - This musical journey brings American jazz musician Dave Brubeck's compositions to life. Choreography by Chieko Imada.
  
  
• Recollections (premiere) - Turn-of-the-century American popular songs are performed live as part of the Tucson Desert Song Festival’s commemoration of American music. Choreography by Mark Schneider.

For more information, visit ballettucson.org

If you know and love the culture created by the design team Sara and Rich Combs of The Joshua Tree House, you'll be excited to hear that they are creating a five suite inn on 40 acres on the western side of Saguaro National Park, slated to open for bookings later this summer.

Left abandoned for 10 years, the inn was renovated by the husband and wife interior designers. Their newest project is called Posada - "hostel". Each suite is carefully styled to tell a unique story, focusing on a neutral palette reflecting the desert, natural materials and textures.

The inn has already housed a retreat for Spell & The Gypsy Collective, an Australian fashion brand. The retreat was a gathering of familiar faces from Instagram, from Sarah Shabacon to Rocky Barnes. The group dined to live tunes from June West, meditated and shared in a tea ceremony and watched Pulp Fiction under the stars. The space is an Instagram dream.

The Joshua Tree House design team have created a peaceful, sunlight-filled space that welcomes rest, quiet conversations and daydreaming. Float in their pool carved in to the rocks and gather around the fire pit to dry off. Pulled by the magnetism of the desert, it's no wonder the Mojave-based team felt the draw of the Sonoran desert. If you need to escape, reset and reconnect, plan to stay at Posada. Bookings open late Summer 2019. 

Elements of Film. Throughout June, the Tucson Jewish Community Center is hosting Jerry Gill of Duke University to explore the elements of filmmaking. The classes will follow the outline of Lee Bobker's book Elements of Film: Story, Image, Sound, Editing and Acting. The weekly classes include film discussions and watching movies. 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, June 3, 10, 17 and 24. 3800 E. River Road. Member Price: $50, Regular Price: $75. Details here. 

Make It Mondays! This summer, every Monday through Labor Day is a Make It Monday at the Children's Museum of Tucson. What does that include you ask? Well, along with just $3 admission per person, enjoy special guests and themes. This week, Bit Buckets are on the schedule. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with special guests on hand from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 200 S 6th Ave. Details here. 

Dog Days at Tucson Botanical Gardens. It's June! And at the Tucson Botanical Gardens that means it's time for the Dog Days of summer. Bring your furry friend for a day of fun for $3 per dog or $20 for members fo a whole summer of fun! Fido in the flowers, pooches with the plants, sounds pretty dang cute to us! 2150 N Alvernon Way. Details here. Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Summer Night Market 2019. On the last Friday of every month throughout the summer, the MSA Annex turns into a family-friendly open-air nighttime market. There will food trucks, live music, local crafts and "bountiful libations." All of this adds up to an awesome event away from the summer sun. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 31. 267 S. Avenida del Convento. Details here.

Cuban Night at Crooked Tooth Brewing. It's getting lively at Crooked Tooth Brewing! The funky tropical Cuban trio "Acerekó" is performing, with additional music from jazz musician Max Goldschmid. Food will be provided by Cuban Twist Cafè, with a special menu of bean and rice bowls, special Cuban chicken and citrus red cabbage slaw. Plus, there are always plenty of great in-house drinks from Crooked Tooth. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 31. 228 E. Sixth Street. Details here.

Potty Mouth Pottery Painting. Do you feel like you already have enough mugs that say "#1 Mom" or "Live, Laugh, Love"? In the mood for something more a little like, "Not on the table, bitch," "Whiskey Business," or a good, old fashioned "#!$@*"? Head on over to Color Me Mine to make yourself (or a potty-mouthed loved one) a one-of-a-kind gift. They have new naughty words silk screens, plus games and prizes! 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 31. Color Me Mine Tucson (Park Place Mall), 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. $10 includes light snacks and paints, but not the cost of pottery. BYOB if you want, and 21+. Details here.

A Long Road to Freedom. Celebrating 50 years, the LGBT magazine The Advocate made a documentary highlighting major moments for gay rights over the past half-century. The Screening Room is hosting this film, which includes interviews with Cleve Jones, Caitlyn Jenner, Gloria Allred and more. Starting with the Black Cat Riots, the film covers the late '60s, the AIDS crisis, and marriage equality into the present day. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 31. 127 E. Congress St. Details here.

Saturday Margarita Madness Music Party. Americano Mexicano cantina is taking hold of the summer weekends with specials on house margaritas, draft beers and some of Tucson's best burritos. The specials are two house margaritas for $5, $4 for draft beers, $6 for burritos and $1.50 for tacos. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1. 800 E University Blvd. Details here.

Arizona Sunrise Series. If you're a runner, you know you can't afford to hit the snooze button during a Tucson summer: You've got to run when it's early, or you'll be running when it's way, way too hot. Startline Racing is presenting this inaugural series of early morning 5K runs throughout the summer at places like Rillito Park, Brandi Fenton Memorial Park and Steam Pump Ranch. Sign up for the whole series and get a custom series medal, plus a custom add-on for each race you complete; a T-shirt (or different style shirt) and extra water stations along the course. There's even age group awards for the top three in each group. Kicking it off is this run at Reid Park, 6:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday, June 1. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way. $35 in advance, $40 on race day, $160 for the entire series of six races. Details here.

Tucson and Las Vegas: Which One of These is Not Like the Other? Way back in the day, Sin City and the Old Pueblo weren't really so different: both had available surface water and nearby oases that made them ideal places for dusty travelers to stop and get some rest. Plus, they were both hugely impacted by the railroad boom of the 19th century, and the promotion of tourism in the 20th. So... what happened? Why is Las Vegas the crazy party city that it is while Tucson is our lovely, laid-back home? Historian Ken Scoville is going to tell us all about it! 10 a.m. to noon. Saturday, June 1. Tohono Chul Education Center #1, 7211 N. Northern Ave. $10 GA or $6 Tohono Chul members. Details here.

Tucson Dance Academy's Summer Showcase. Tucson Dance Academy is a professional dance academy offering comprehensive lessons, but they also welcome all pupils, not just those with professional dancing aspirations. Come see both the kids and adults perform at this end-of-year show, where the theme is "Dancing Around the World." The choreography, costumes and music were all curated to reflect the beauty and diversity of the human race. Come watch people dancing for the passion of it at the academy's 11th annual summer concert. 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $15. Details here.

Charmed, I'm Sure. As the Old Pueblo starts to heat up, it might not feel like such a charmed life. But it is over at the Wilde Meyer Gallery, where their June exhibit is kicking off this Saturday. Painters and sculptors like Jaime Ellsworth, Kari Rives, Trevor Mikula, Sarah Webber and Barbara Duzan are presenting work that's colorful, delightful and sometimes whimsical. We guess you could say it's charming! Come visit all of the art anytime this month. Saturday, June 1 through Sunday, June 30. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 2890 E. Skyline Drive. Free. Details here.

Gate Month at the Madaras Gallery. The Madaras Gallery's yearlong celebration of its 20th anniversary continues with another themed month. June is "gate scenes," featuring pieces inspired by the best of southwestern architecture. Ranch style entrances, rustic hacienda archways, the wooden structures that welcome you onto big properties, or the cozy wrought iron pieces that welcome you into your home. It's easy to rush from place to place during the summer as you try not to fry like an egg on the sidewalk. So what better reminder to take in the beauty Tucson has to offer than a curated selection of real-world frames for some of that very beauty? June 1-30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Free. Details here.

Summer Safari Saturday Nights. Still got superheroes on your mind but thinking maybe seeing Avengers: Endgame for a 12th time in theaters might be overkill? Head to the zoo to learn about the superpowers some of your favorite animals have! Laser-like eyesight, outstanding agility, superhero strength and turbo-cuddliness are just a few examples. Featured animals include goats, dart frogs, elephants, squirrel monkeys, snakes and ruffled lemurs. As always, there's live music, games, food & drink specials and the chance to chat with animal keepers. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court. $10.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $6.50 kids ages 2 to 14 and free for zoo members. Details here.

Give Your Cat the World Week Meetup. Cat lovers, rejoice! Maybe you already know about the website catexplorer.co, but maybe you don't know that there's a website just for humans looking for feline-friendly places all over the world so that they can travel with their cats. Give Your Cat the World Week, from May 27 to June 2, is all about recognizing and sharing the ways we give our cats the world, whether it's through traveling, technology or special training methods. At this event, you'll meet fellow catexplorers, take a walk through Catalina State Park, sip some coffee and maybe even win a Catexplorer T-shirt or tank. Feel free to bring your cat, obviously, but feel free to leave him or her at home if you purr-fer. 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1. Catalina State Park, 11570 N. Oracle Road. Details here.

Doggie Shorts Encore Event. Back by popular demand, the Loft Cinema is screening their collection of 10-second to 10-minute short films and videos from across the globe, all featuring dogs. These are selections of the best shorts from The Bow Wow Film Festival, plus some bonus films from the internet. Proceeds benefit Handi-Dogs, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to helping older adults and people with disabilities gain independence via service dogs. 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $20-$25. Details here.

Cool Summer Nights: Dino Night. In the summer, Tucsonans sort of become vampires: Hiding from the sun during the day and venturing out only at night, when the climate situation is more bearable. Tonight, venture over to the Desert Museum to learn about another subject that's popularly used in films and dramatic tails: dinosaurs (and fossils). Chris Maynard's solo show, Feathers, features art he made by carving feathers with surgical tools while also respecting their form. Kids will also have a chance to create their own feather masterpieces! As always, docents with fun stations about bats, bugs, snakes, minerals and desert skies are all over. The stingray touch exhibit and Packrat Playhouse are also open. Saturday, June 1. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road. $21.95 GA, $19.95 seniors 65+, $8.95 for kids 3 to 12, free for kids under 3, $17.95 for active or retired military, $16.95 for Arizona/Sonora residents. Details here.

Central Tucson Gallery Association First Saturday Art Walk. Do you have any idea how many art galleries there are downtown? Or how much art they're housing? This art walk is a great way to wind down from the stress of the work week, and/or to wind up for the partying of a Saturday night, when you're probably going to be downtown anyway. There are eight galleries in the CTGA participating this week: the Central Arts Gallery, the Conrad Wilde Gallery, the Contreras Gallery, the Drawing Studio, the Fragment Gallery, The Sacred Machine, the Obsidian Gallery and the Raices Taller 222 Gallery. See ctgatucson.org for hours and addresses for each individual gallery. Details here.


Police Story Double Feature. Although he's been alive and well for decades, the real life-threatening stunts Jackie Chan pulled off for the Police Story films are so wild you'll worry for his life as you watch. Seriously, the man slides down a pole, breaking through several panes of glass and sparking electric wires. And that's just one scene. The Loft Cinema is showing two whole movies of Chan's madness for the price of one! Noon on Sunday, June 2. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $13. Details here.

End of an Era Soirée at The Coronet. Ending a five-year run at their current location, The Coronet is moving to a new spot on Cushing Street. As such, they're hosting one final bash to send off the original location, and everyone's invited. They will serve a secret menu filled with only the very best one can hope for, and that's really all there is to say. Jimmy Carr & The Awkward Moments will be performing as a send-off. Get out there and celebrate The Coronet's last night on Fourth Ave! 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 2. 402 E. Ninth Street. Details here.

Summer Specials at Tavolino. Chef Massimo Tenino recently announced two specials at Tavolino Ristorante Italiano this summer: On Sundays beginning June 2 is the "Two Brothers Food and Wine for Two" special, which includes two dinner options, each including a bottle of Pietro Rinaldi wine to be shared; a salad, entrée and dessert for each person, $55-$75. On Tuesdays, beginning June 4, is the "Lunch or Dinner for Two" special, which includes a glass of Chianti or Pinot Grigio, salad, dessert and pizza for $30. 2890 E. Skyline Drive. Details here.

Rillito Park Farmers Market. From farmers to ranchers to bakers to chefs, the Rillito Park Farmers Market hosts all sorts of wonderful people peddling all sorts of wonderful wares. With three shade pavilions that provide 5,000 square feet of shopping shade, a center entertainment circle and public restrooms, there's plenty to enjoy and appreciate as you shop at the roughly 80 small businesses who assemble at this market located right along The Loop. Take yourself out, support local business, and spend the rest of your week talking about how you're the type of person who does her shopping at the farmers' market. 8 a.m. to noon. Sunday, June 2. Food Pavilion at Rillito Park, 4502 N. First Ave. Free. Details here.

The Mendelssohn Project. Felix Mendelssohn made his public concert debut at age 9, wrote his first symphony for full-orchestra at 15 and composed (among a bunch of other famous stuff), the melody for "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Listening to some of the finest string players from both around the city and around the country might not make Mendelssohn's talent rub off on you, but it MIGHT. Plus, it's sure to be an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. The St. Andrew's Bach Society presents this performance of String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13; Four Pieces for String Quartet, Op. 80 and Octet for Strings, Op. 20. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2. Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. $16 GA, $11 students. Details here.

Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue Two-Year Anniversary. Southern Tucson’s smokiest restaurant and food truck combo is celebrating its second year in business, and for the occasion, there will be meal deal of brisket, ribs, cornbread and more. Get out there and celebrate with a local meal “backed by tradition and legacy.” 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 30. 5250 E. 22nd Street. Details here.


Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Dinner at Elvira’s. Four courses of food and mezcal for $50? Only at Elvira’s. This downtown spot is pairing Del Maguey mezcal with dishes inspired by Oaxaca, including a special mole. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30. 256 E. Congress St. $50. Details here.

Quilts in the Gardens. Quilts for a Cause auctions and sells handmade quilts and patterns donated by quilters to support breast and gynecological cancer research. This summer, they’re partnering with Tucson Botanical Gardens to exhibit nature-themed quilts in Porter Hall and the Friends House Gallery at the gardens. Quilts will also be for sale in the gift shop. Come support a good cause, brighten up your home and remind yourself that when the colder days ahead finally do get here, you’ll be warm and wrapped up in a quilt. On display through September 29. Garden hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15 GA, $13 students/seniors/military, $8 kids 4 to 17, free for members and kids under 4. Details here.

Borderlands Residential Solar Expo. Okay, we get it: A residential solar expo doesn't sound super fun. But you know what is fun? Saving money on electricity! Reducing your carbon footprint! And having solar panels! So take your chance to meet a couple of local solar providers, ask whatever questions you need to, and learn more about tax credits and financing. And you know what else? The event's at a brewery with great food. So if worse comes to worst, you spent your Thursday night eating, drinking and deciding solar panels aren't for you. Still a major success. 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 30. Borderlands Brewing Company, 119 E. Toole Ave. Free. Details here.

Beginners Belly Dancing. Never belly danced before? There's no time like the present to start! Na-il has 16 years of experience dancing, and nine in belly dance. He specializes in belly dance fusion, weaving the dance form into other styles, both traditional and modern. In this class, you'll explore how to move your pelvis and ribcage to upbeat music ranging from Middle Eastern to modern. You can't tell us you've never thought belly dancing looks super cool, so why not try it for yourself? Be sure to bring plenty of water, because—special bonus!—belly dancing is a full-body workout. 6 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, May 30. Circus Sanctuary, 3113 E. Columbia St. $18 for a drop-in session. Details here.

Tucson Saguaros. Our local baseball team has its first two home games of the season this week! And it's our hometown cacti vs. the High Desert Yardbirds, in from Adelanto, CA. All their home games will be on Cherry Field this season, which is centrally located and well-lit... hooray! Come root, root, root for the home team in its fourth season, and pick up one of their really cool hats while you're at it—it's got a saguaro holding a baseball bat on it, and what more could you want in a hat? 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31. Cherry Field, 425 S. Cherry Ave. $7.50. Details here.

Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Andy Andrist redux, Bruce Jingles, Amy Miller, Caitlin Weierhauser at the O

Bruce Jingles brings his smart observations, eloquent storytelling and pitch-perfect comedic timing to The O on June 1. He’s the second half of a weekend double-header doubling down on The O’s commitment to creating an uptown jazz and comedy club.

The Unbookables’s Andy Andrist headlines at 8 p.m. on May 31. Tickets for his show, a free-associative trip through his kaleidoscopic mind with side-trips to the floor, may still be available for $8 via Eventbrite.com, or you can pay $10 at the door.

It’s Jingles’ first visit to Tucson, and he performs at both 7 pm and 9 pm on June 1. Tickets are $10 via Eventbrite and $15 at the door. A favorite in Southern California’s stand-up comedy stomping grounds, Jingles plies relatable tales of everyday life with, for example, law enforcement, stereotyping, and weed. He drives them cheerily home with impersonations of people audience members may recognize from their own lives.

Jingles is a popular podcast guest and a fixture on USO tours. He’s been seen on ABC, VH1, TMZ, NUVOTV, and two Showtime specials, and he appeared in the 2008 dark comedy Driving Bill Crazy. His live comedy album, Bruce Jingles: Comic, released by RBC Records, can be found on iTunes, Pandora and Spotify.

The O keeps rolling on Wednesday, June 5 with Amy Miller, Caitlin Weierhauser and Steve Hernandez. According to her bio, headliner Miller was one of Comedy Central’s Up Next comics for 2018, and was a breakout favorite in Season 9 of Last Comic Standing. She’s also appeared on the Adam Carolla Show, Viceland and the Doug Loves Movies comedy podcast. Most recently she guested on the Stephen Colbert Show.

Miller describes her comedy as “personal, political, and 100 percent authentic.” She earned her comedy stripes in the Bay Area, but began attracting more widespread attention when she moved to Portland’s rich and even more diverse comedy scene.

She won the title Portland’s Funniest in a 2015 competition sponsored by Helium Comedy Club and was voted Portland’s Funniest Comedian in both 2013 and 2015 by readers of the independent Willamette Week. She was the first woman to top either, let alone both, of those contests.

Her album, Solid Gold, is available on the prestigious Kill Rock Stars label. Her podcast, Who’s Your God, with fellow O linep member Steve Hernandez, is at libsyn.com. She’s performed at numerous comedy festivals, including SXSW, Bridgetown, Big Sky and the San Francisco Sketchfest.

L.A.-based Weierhauser describes her comedy as social commentary with “coach vibes and … unhinged enthusiasm, often political, frequently personal and entirely too tantrum-prone.” Naturally she was cast in a Disney movie. It’s Timmy Failure, being readied for the 2020 debut of the new Disney streaming service, Disney +.

Weierhauser was voted one of the top three performers at Big Sky Comedy Fest and has performed for Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Bumbershoot, and the All Jane Comedy Fest.

Also from L.A., Steve Hernandez founded the popular LA bar show, Chatterbox Comedy Night. He was featured as a Field Correspondent on I Love You, America! With Sarah Silverman and appeared in Comedy Central’s Corporate.


Local First Arizona kind of spells LAF

Tucson’s favorite cartoonist and raconteur David Fitzsimmons hosts a comedy show at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 at Borderlands Brewery. Admission is $5 at the door or in advance via squareup.com.

The event wraps up a Local First Arizona Roadshow hosted from 4 to 7 pm by the Rialto Theatre at its offshoot entertainment venue 191 Toole. It’s at the other end of the block from Borderlands.

LFA-member the Comedy Alliance of Tucson (full disclosure: I am its founder) organized the comedy show to include, besides Fitzsimmons: Roxy Merrari, host of Comedy at the (Surly) Wench; Monte Benjamin, known for clean comedy rooted in his experiences as a black American; Matt Ziemak, co-host of the monthly Brew Ha Ha comedy show at Borderlands; Mo Urban, stand-up comedy coach at Tucson Improv Movement, founder of a half-dozen local comedy shows and frequent guest in Arizona comedy festivals; Alex Kack, a leader in CAT, producer of this show and host of several local comedy shows, and Josiah Osego, a popular guest in comedy shows in Phoenix and all over Southern Arizona.

Ever the joker, Borderlands Brewing Company co-owner Michael Mallozzi says, “Running a business is no joke! But that doesn’t mean we can’t laugh! Join us for the Local First Arizona Roadshow to support your local businesses because you can’t spell laugh without LFA.” (Just don’t overthink it.)

Michael Peel, Southern Arizona Director of Local First Arizona, says the LFA Roadshows, which are free to the public, are a new program to get business members out in the community, like farmers’ markets promoting products and services. Peel says, “We create fun and engaging ways to connect local businesses to the community on a regular basis and keep more dollars in our local economy. 

Peel and Mallozzi have been advisers in the formation of the Comedy Alliance of Tucson (CAT), seeing it as a means to expand the local business sector using comedy as a draw. Since it was established last year, CAT has worked with local businesses to create more opportunities for comedy in Tucson, promoting existing shows and venues while encouraging new ones. The organization promoted its first CATcomedy520 LOL crawl last January and currently is networking and pursuing initiatives with FEATS-AZ, the Marana Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tucson and TEN WEST as well as Local First.

Peel says, “Expect different themes and a rotating cast of LFA members and partners each month spotlighting and celebrating what makes our community so unique.” 

The day before graduation, best friends and academic overachievers Molly and Amy are struck by the devastating regret that they never partied during high school. Not once. With the same focus and follow-through that allowed them to ace their AP courses, they set out to make for all that lost time in just one epic night.

Directed by Olivia Wilde from a script penned by female screenwriters, Booksmart is stylish, colorful, playful, funny and fresher than fresh in its cultural references. It was a thrill for this female viewer to see girls in all the main roles, handling with aplomb the traditional responsibilities of the teen movie’s protagonist: taking the risk, making the first move, standing up and saving the day. The fact that one of the main characters (Amy) is a lesbian makes the film’s big step forward in diverse representation even bigger.

It’s true that Booksmart sometimes lingers in the shallows when you’d prefer it to dive deep. And some directorial flights of fancy fell flat for me. But in exploring the female friendship that is the heart of the story, this movie tracks satisfyingly. Molly and Amy’s relationship is the story’s engine, moving the two characters ever forward—sometimes very much against their wishes—into their dreams, fears, and futures.

All the actors, from newcomers Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein to pros veterans Lisa Kudrow, Jason Sudeikis and Will Forte, turn in wonderful performances. Grab your BFF and go see it.

MOCA ArtNow! screening and lecture. The Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting a lecture from their Artist-in-Residence, David Fenster. Fenster will screen and discuss multiple of his films, as well as discuss his work during a Q&A session. Fenster is a filmmaker based in Marfa, Texas, whose work has screened at museums and festivals around the world. 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. 265 S. Church Ave. $10 admission, free for MOCA members and students. Details here.

Phantom of the Opera. The Loft Cinema is screening this 1925 silent horror classic, but are upping the volume level with a live performance by Austin rock band The Invincible Czars as the film’s score. Although it’s only May, they encourage attendees to dress for the Halloween season at this “scarifying screening!” 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $12. Details here.


Samuel Ace Double Book Launch & Celebration with TC Tolbert. Samuel Ace is a trans/queergender poet and sound artist behind books like Our Weather Our Sea and Stealth (that second one with Maureen Seaton), and the winner of awards like the Astraea Lesbian Writer Award and the Firecracker Alternative Book Award in Poetry. Recently, he brought together and republished two poetry collections first issued in the mid-’90s by poet Linda Smukler, adding an introduction and a collection of essays by writers impacted by Smukler’s and his own work. Come hear him present work from the book, “Meet Me There: Normal Sex & Home in three days. Don’t wash.” And from his own collection of poems, “Our Weather Our Sea.” Tucson Poet Laureate TC Tolbert joins him. Bring something for the potluck! 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. Kore Press, 325 W. Second St., Room 201. $5, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Details here.

Infusion Release at 1912 Brewing. For the summer season, 1912 Brewing is bringing infusions back! Every Wednesday, they’re releasing a new “out of the box” infusion, ranging from sweet to sour to hoppy. They’ll also have a rotating cast of local food trucks to pair with the new and crazy beer of the day. 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. Details here.

Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

An oasis in our busy city, Tucson Village Farm (TVF), "built by and for the youth of our community," offers U-Pick every Tuesday afternoon and is now on summer hours from 5 to 7 p.m.

The farm is open and welcomes the community to the garden east of Campbell Avenue to pick their own produce, support the local food network and get the freshest possible vegetables. For produce purchases, bring cash or check.

TVF also has "farm work" days every Monday and Wednesday on the west side garden from 7 a.m. to noon, when the public can get their hands dirty, help on the farm and learn about planting seeds and harvesting.

If you have never been to the Tucson Village Farm, check it out and you'll find it has a way of drawing visitors back again and again. Located at 4210 North Campbell Avenue. Details here.

Downtowns Around The Globe at The Carriage House. Ever wanted to experience the cuisine of Tsuruoka, Japan? Janos Wilder’s Carriage House is hosting a cooking demonstration and dinner featuring: shiitake mushroom soup, ankake pork, shrimp donburi, ramen salad and edamame ice cream to top it off. Plus, the meal features wine to really bring the flavors out. Learn to cook just like Janos! 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 24. 125 S. Arizona Avenue. $70. Details here.

Fortnight of the Monsters at Tap & Bottle North. Tap & Bottle’s Northside location is celebrating San Diego’s Modern Times beer with four variants on tap: Vanilla, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Blackberry Cobbler and Chaos Grid. But these are no regular beers—brewed with cocoa, cinnamon, blackberries, Madagascar vanilla beans, and some even aged in brandy barrels, this selection of brews is for the adventurous palette. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 24. 7254 North Oracle Road. Details here.

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Courtesy Barrio Brewing

Monkey Burger Tap Takeover. Barrio Brewing Co. is taking over Monkey Burger, meaning you get to try some great local burgers paired with great local beers. The “takeover” includes Ciao Charlie Ciao, Hipsterville Hazy IPA and Grapefruit IPA. Beer and burgers go together as nicely as, well, Barrio Brewing and Monkey Burger. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 24. 5350 E. Broadway Blvd. Details here.

Friends of the Pima County Public Library Community Book Sale. Looking to add to the pile of books you have at home that you’re really looking forward to reading someday? Look no farther than this book sale, with not only 70 categories of books, but records, videos and audiobooks galore. The Best of Friends room is your best bet if you’re looking for something collectible, gift-quality and unusual. What are you waiting for? Book it on over to the library’s book barn. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25. Friends of the Pima County Public Library Book Barn, 2230 N. Country Club. Free. Details here.

Arizona Highways and Ted DeGrazia Opening Reception. In these parts, we’re all Ted DeGrazia fans. And we’re also all fans of Arizona Highways magazine, which has been around for a whopping 98 years! So we’d be hard-pressed to find something more locally lovable than this exhibit, featuring selections of DeGrazia’s art that have appeared in the magazine. The exhibit, along with a special June issue of the mag, highlight DeGrazia’s relationship with Arizona Highways and its former editor, Raymond Carlson. Runs through January 29, 2020. 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 24. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan Road. Free admission during the reception. Details here.

Wine a Little, Laugh a Lot. There is a little bit of wine and a lot of laughing at this event, but it’s a little more structured than you might think. Sadhna Bokhiria, professor of education and CEO for the Kapoor Foundations, is leading this free workshop for nonprofit professionals on using laughter to build relationships. In her words, “This workshop utilizes tools to increase authenticity in the workplace through genuine kindness and compassion. It focuses on how you can use humor to lighten the stress of our day-to-day hustles.” We’ll take 12! 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 24. Community Foundation Campus, 5049 E. Broadway. Free. Details here.

Super Gay Party Machine. The only people that aren’t welcome at Tucson’s premiere LGBTQA dance party and show are people who don’t like to have a good time. So get your dancing shoes on—heck, get your dancing pants, hat and T-shirt on if you have one—and head downtown for a night full of fun. DJ Shorty is spinning beats, and Elena Sanchez, Bianca Difonsi and Häus of K are performing. Party on, LGBTQA community and allies! 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, May 24. Hotel Congress, 311 Congress St.  Details here.

5 Minute Film Fest. The Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art is screening their second annual 5 Minute Film Festival, including over two dozen locally made short films spanning the documentary, animation and experimental genres. Three cash prizes will be awarded to the top films. Come out to support (and award) local art! 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 24. 265 S. Church Ave. Details here.

Jurassic Park (Free Outdoor Screening). The Palo Verde Park Neighborhood and Loft Cinema are teaming up to make our public parks a little more thrilling. This free outdoor screening at Palo Verde Park shows the original Jurassic Park, plus plenty of local food trucks! Don’t miss your chance to see Jeff Goldblum and Samuel L. Jackson on the big screen on your local streets. 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Friday, May 24. Palo Verde Park. Free. Details here.

The Goonies. If you want to see a bit of greenery in the desert, check out The Loft Cinema’s screening of this adventure through the forests of the Pacific Northwest. This totally awesome ’80s movie is getting a new digital restoration, and you’re invited. See every hair on Corey Feldman’s head, every bone in the pirate’s lair, every menacing booby trap. 10 to 11:55 p.m. Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27. Plus 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. screenings on Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $8. Details here.

Saturday:

Farmers’ Market at Steam Pump Ranch. Now operating on their summer hours, the Saturday farmers market at Steam Pump Ranch includes over 30 vendors every week. Whether you’re looking to get some local baked goods or stock up on high quality farm-to-table produce, this is a great way to start your weekend. Support local markets and eat healthy at the same time! 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 25. 10901 N. Oracle Road. Free admission.  Details here.

Summer Safari Saturday Nights. The zoo is a great way to spend a Saturday. But it’s an even better way to spend a Saturday evening, when it’s less hot than during the day. Our local one is kicking off their summer series with this “Meet Your Zoo Night,” where you can meet zoo keepers and educators, learn more about their jobs, and hear about what animals and features are on their way. Highlighted animals include the flamingo, rhino, lion, crowned crane, grizzly bear and Aldabra tortoise. Plus live music, games, and food and drink specials. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court. $10.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $6.50 kids ages 2 to 14 and free for zoo members. Details here.

Black Renaissance Concert. Can you believe we’re already at the last weekend in May? That means we’ve reached the final installment of Hotel McCoy’s Black Renaissance event, created by local musician seanloui to spotlight black creativity and educate the community about black artists’ influence on mainstream culture. And they’re going out with a bang—or at least with some sounds, in a night full of live music by Street Blues Family, Black Caesar and seanloui. This is your last chance to check out this event! 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road. Free. Details here.

Masters of War. On December 1, 1969, John Vornholt was sitting in a roomful of men watching television to see if they’d be drawn for the Vietnam War draft. He wasn’t 19 yet, so he was safe, but the show and the night were so dramatic that he started writing a play about it that very night. He’s been working on it every 10 years or so since, so it’s got pieces of him at 18, 30, 40 and 50. Come see this show, which captures the emotions felt by the young men in America that night from a perspective both contemporary and reflective. It’s part of Live Theatre Workshop’s Etcetera Late-Night series! 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, and 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 26. Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. $10. Details here.

Memorial Day Weekend at the International Wildlife Museum. This museum is always a treat. But this weekend, museum admission really is their treat: Free for active, retired and veteran military with ID. Spend your day—or your weekend—checking out the more than 400 species of insects, mammals and birds from all over the world on display in the museum. And don’t miss the temporary “Conservation Piece by Piece” exhibit, which, at 33,600 pieces and 19 ft by 6.5 feet, is one of the world’s largest puzzles! 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 27. Last admission given 45 minutes prior to closing time. International Wildlife Museum, 4800 W. Gates Pass Road. Admission for non-military is $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 kids 4 to 12 and free for kids 3 and under. Details here.

Tucson Sugar Skulls vs. Arizona Rattlers. In a game against, say, the Iowa Barnstormers, or the San Diego Strike Force, the Tucson Sugar Skulls have not only their skills on their side, but the hometown advantage. This week, they’re facing off against the Arizona Rattlers, from Phoenix, who are just as acclimated to the desert’s charms as our home team is. But hey! The Sugar Skulls broke a four-game losing streak earlier this month, and you’d better believe they’re going to fight to keep that momentum going. See you at the Tucson Arena! 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $17.  Details here.

Rally Point: A Veterans Reunion. 1912 Brewing Company is owned by veterans, so they’re honored to be hosting this reunion of men and women who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. They’re expecting vets from all across the United States to be at this day full of live music, food trucks and special beer releases. Fill up on goods from Green Feet Brewing, Caps and Corks, Hamilton Distillers, Cider Corps and Daniela’s Cooking Food Truck, and let it fuel you through the intensity of a cornhole tournament. All veterans and active military get 10 percent off their entire purchases. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25. 1912 Brewing Company, 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. Free. Details here.
Cool Summer Nights. Astronomy is taking center stage at this week’s Desert Museum event. (We guess you could say the stars are the stars.) The National Optical Astronomy Observatory Kitt Peak is leading educational solar system activities for families, docents will be around to answer questions about everything from desert wildlife to desert skies and there will be high-powered telescopes set up throughout the grounds. UA Astronomer Kevin Hainline will be leading a talk called “I Thought I Knew That: 20 (Very!) Common Astronomy Fallacies,” that will leave you feeling like your whole life before this talk was one big lie (but will also give you lots of fun facts to share at parties). Saturday, May 25. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road. $21.95 GA, $19.95 seniors 65+, $8.95 for kids 3 to 12, free for kids under 3, $17.95 for active or retired military, $16.95 for Arizona/Sonora residents. Details here.


Academy of Ballet–Snow White. The Academy of Ballet, Tap and Jazz has been here in town for nearly 40 years, and is one of Arizona’s leading classical dance training schools. This year’s annual recital is the ballet Snow White, along with a tap dance and jazz showcase. Every student at the school is invited to perform in the event in one way or another, so you get a chance to support both expert pointe ballerinas and the cutest, clumsiest little 3-year-olds. Grand jeté your way on over! 2 p.m. Sunday, May 26. Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. $17. Details here.