Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Cookies and Cocktails at the Playground Bar & Lounge. This annual event honors the “fierce, fearless girls and women leading Southern Arizona today,” but for those not in the know, it means there are Girl Scout cookies! The event features Girl Scout Cookie-inspired cocktails and craft beers, cookie-and-wine pairings, and desserts made by local restaurants, each starring a different cookie! 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30. 278 E. Congress Street. $55. 21+. Details here.
The Unruly Mystic: John Muir. Also known as “John of the Mountains” and “the Father of the National Parks,” John Muir was, well, a lot of things: a hiker, an environmentalist, an author and more. This movie explores Muir’s life and how he wound up being considered a “patron saint of environmental activism.” The screening is calling, and you must go. 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30. The Screening Room. 127 E. Congress St. $12. Details here.
Sue Betanzos - Reflections Of Nature on Display. January 12th-February 13th (Wednesdays-Sundays 10AM-3PM) Sue creates new glass paintings, acrylic paintings, and glass mosaic artworks inspired by the beautiful diverse Sonoran Desert. This sweet natural oasis is the perfect place to observe both nature and fine art. Agua Caliente Park Ranch House Gallery 12325 E. Roger Road. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: things to do , fun in general , events , things to go to , art , film , food , Girl Scout Cookies , cookies and cocktails , fundraiser , Wednesday , Jan. 30 , Image
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
“Call Him Mac” Reception and Book Signing. You’ve probably heard of Ernest McFarland, the U.S. Senator, Senate Majority Leader, Arizona Governor, Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, founder of KTVK and father of the GI Bill. (Historian Marshall Trimble once suggested that if Arizona had a Mount Rushmore, it would be Carl Hayden, Ernest McFarland, Barry Goldwater and John McCain.) But you might not know much about his life as a husband, father and friend to people like FDR, Harry Truman and Winston Churchill. Call Him Mac: Ernest W. McFarland, The Arizona Years, a new book by law professor and historian Gary L. Stuart, published by the UA Press, delves into all of this. Meet the author, pick up a copy and get it signed at this event. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. Arizona Main Library special collections room, 1510 E. University Blvd. Free. Details here.
Taco Tuesday at 1912 Brewing Co. Alright, Tucson, time to embrace your local borderlands culture by drinking craft beer and eating Mexican food at the same time. 1912 Brewing is hosting a tasty Taco Tuesday, where they’re selling tacos for only $2 each. And if you aren’t sure which of their beers go best with the tacos, don’t be afraid to ask! 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. Details here.
Maria en Tierra de Nadie. The University of Arizona Latin American Studies Student Organization is screening a documentary film that follows a group of three Central American women who travel through Mexico to the United States border. The screening also features a panel discussion from the film’s director, a community organizer, and a professor from the Center for Latin American Studies. English-Spanish Interpretation will be available. 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. The Loft Cinema. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details here.
Turkuaz. These purveyors of “Powerfunk” behave more like a performance ensemble than a band, but don’t let that distract you from their music. The nine members of Turkuaz each sport their own color on stage, as well as their own instruments: bass, synthesizer, saxophone, drums, trumpet, guitar, and male and female vocals all mix together to make something relentlessly catchy, danceable and of course, funky. A typical Turkuaz song (if you could call their music typical) features jangly disco guitars, thumping bass, modern production and vocal hooks straight out of the golden age of funk. If vivid paint splatters had a sound, they would be the music of Turkuaz. Catch Turkuaz with Paris Monster at 191 Toole. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29. 191 E. Toole Ave. $20. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: things to do , five fun events , music , education , tacos , food , fun , Tuesday , Jan. 29 , Image , Video
Monday, January 28, 2019
Tucson's only blacksmithing school is celebrating its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 2, and the public is invited to see the sparks fly.
Desert Metal Craft, a new school started by three Tucsonans, is dedicated to "teaching the ancient art of blacksmithing together with the modern science behind the craft of metalworking." Classes range from absolute beginner to expert, and include blacksmithing, bladesmithing, art fabrication, and traditional Japanese steel-making or "tatara.”
“As far as we know, it’s the only blacksmithing school in all of the southwest,” said co-founder Pete Brown. “Some local blacksmiths do classes, but this is first to constitute a full, dedicated school.”
The other Desert Metal Craft founders are Liz Cameron, who teaches applied metallurgy at Pima Community College, and Rich Greenwood, who formerly competed on the History Channel’s “Forged in Fire” blacksmithing series. The three met in blacksmithing classes at PCC.
“I just got talking with those two, and when I found out Rich wanted to start his own school, I called him up and said ‘count me in!’,” Brown said.
The three then rented a warehouse and filled it with equipment. For the all-day grand opening, they plan on blacksmithing demonstrations, music, fire dancers and more.
“The railroad runs right by, so we don’t have to worry about making too much noise,” Brown said. “Which we’re pretty excited about.”
Classes range from single-day lessons up to more in-depth eight week sessions.
“We’re not doing commissions, it’s very much an educational place,” Brown said. “We want it to be a kind of community school.”
While still in the school’s infancy, Desert Metal Craft’s founders are speaking with local schools to host community programs, such as summer classes for kids.
“It’s extremely rewarding,” Brown said. “You can take a piece of junk metal and forge it into whatever you want.”
The Desert Metal Craft Grand Opening Launch Party lasts from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 at 544 E. 24th St. #3, Tucson, AZ 85713.
For more information, visit desertmetalcraft.org
Tags: Desert Metal Craft , metalwork , blacksmith , metal , craft , school , classes , education , PCC , celebration , grand opening , event , Image
Meet Your Plants (and More). The Sonoran Desert has provided food and sources of color for humans for thousands of years. Learn about the abundant food plants found or grown in our desert home! Mesquite, cactus, and tepary beans are on the menu. We'll also learn how the nopal cactus has been used to bring color into our lives for millennia by hosting the prized cochineal insect. Presented by Carol Anderson, Tucson Botanical Garden Docent. Himmel Park Library 1035 N. Treat Ave. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: things to do , Tucson events , fun , family , friends , Monday night , Monday events , January 28 , Image
Mayhem ensues when The Black Market Trust cut loose their infectious brand of traditional vocal jazz in the Copper Hall at Hotel Congress. Details here.
Tags: music , where to rock , band , live , concert , Monday , Jan 28 , Image , Video
Friday, January 25, 2019
Kristen E. Nelson and Elizabeth Frankie Rollins. Head on over to Antigone to watch these two show off their literary chops! Nelson, a queer writer, performer, literary activist and author of the length of this gap and two chapbooks, will share her poetry. Rollins, who has published in Feminist Wire, Fairy Tale Review, Sonora Review and Conjunctions, is the author of The Sin Eater & Other Stories and a collection of short fiction, a PCC professor and the resident of a pink house. She’ll be sharing some of her work as well. Don’t miss a chance to treat yourself to some of the loveliest literature in town, and support some of our local lit superstars. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave. Free. Details here.
Super Gay Party Machine. It’s the moment at least some of you have been waiting for: Tucson’s premiere LGBTQA dance party and show is here! Tempest DuJour hosts, DJ Shorty keeps the tunes going and you’ll get special performances by Häus of K and special guest Z. Throw in some go-go dancers, lots of drink specials and even more dancing on your part and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a Friday night—just add water (’cause, you know, it’s always good to stay hydrated during a night out). 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. $5, 21+. Details here.
Desert Hawking Classic. If you’re like us, you haven’t been to very many falconry meets. So you’ll just have to take our word for it that it’s one of the finest in the U.S. And just in case you are at all unclear on the definition of falconry, it’s the art and sport of taking wild quarry with trained birds of prey. The sport first came to North America in the early 1900s, though it’s been around for about 4,000 years. Nearly 100 falconers from several states are expected to bring various species of hawks, falcons and even Golden Eagles that have been trained to hunt everything from quail and ducks to eight-pound antelope jack rabbits. Check out the birds and ask falconers questions at two events. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25 at Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road, Ramadas 8 and 9, and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 at the north side of the Radisson Hotel, 6555 E. Speedway Blvd. Details here.
Roadrunners vs. Condors. The Tucson Roadrunners face off against the Bakersfield Condors twice this week. And who would root for a big, ugly condor to win against a sweet lil’ roadrunner? Friday night is college night, which means one ticket, two drinks and a hat for just $25, as well as Ladies Night, which features a pregame Chalk Talk and free drinks and snacks sponsored by Genesis OBGYN. Saturday is Superhero Night, where Cox Communications will be giving away Super Dusty Bobbleheads. So take your pick of what night you want to go, but don’t be on the wrong side of history: Root for the Roadrunners all the way. 7:05 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25 and 3:05 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $10 to $61. Details here.
Where Freedom Begins. Take a break from the constant, dreadful news from our Southern border by viewing the world premiere of this mockumentary. In it, a group of reporters hit the streets of Nogales and Tucson to discuss the freedom of speech and border. Lets just say the production didn’t go as planned. Hosted by Studio ONE: A Space for Art and Activism. Screenings at 7:30 and 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. 197 E. Toole Ave. Free. Details here.
Animated Arizona. Billed as the “First Purely Animated Short Film Fest in Arizona,” the Animated Arizona Film Festival is taking over the Screening Room. The event includes over a dozen short animated works, all 15 minutes or less! Films include The Good, the Bad and the Cactus, The Hole Family, Good Night, Quantum and more. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. 127 E. Congress St. $6. Details here.
Four Shillings Short. Four Shillings Short is a pair of full-time troubadours/folk musicians/artists who have been touring the U.S. and Ireland for more than two decades. Aodh Og O’Tuama plays tinwhistles, Medieval and Renaissance woodwinds, recorders, the Doumbek, the bowed Psaltery and spoons. Plus, he sings in English, Gaelic and French. Christy Martin started studying the North Indian Sitar when she was 15, then added instruments like the hammered dulcimer, the mandolin, the mandola, the bouzouki, the banjo, the guitar, the bodhran, the charango, the bowed psaltery and the ukulele. And she sings in English, Irish and Sanskrit. With a range like that, they’re bound to make at least one sound you’ll enjoy. 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Solar Culture Gallery’s Galactic Room, 31 E. Toole Ave. $10 to $15 donation. Details here.
Morning at the Museum. It’s the Desert Museum’s first annual Coffee and Tea Event.What do birds and coffee have in common? Find out at the tasty and educational “Morning at the Museum” event. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is hosting a bash filled with food, drinks, music and animals. You’ll get to try out their mimosas, Irish coffees, sweet snacks and more. Participating coffee and tea houses include Purple Tree Organic Açai Blends, Yellow Brick Coffee, Exo Roast Co., Batch Cafe & Bar, and more. Featuring music from desert songman Jacob Acosta. Morning at the Museum tickets include samplings from various coffee, tea, and a sweet snacks vendors, a 12-ounce cup of coffee and pastry, commemorative coffee mug and admission to the museum. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 26. 2021 N. Kinney Road. $32 presale, $37 day-of. All ages. Details here.
Black Tulip Gala at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Alright you big-spenders, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cozier, more photogenic place to eat at this week. You’ll get to enjoy music and drinks while dining under the gardens’ mesquite trees or along their shaded pathways. Plus, there will be tulip displays! Who doesn’t love a good tulip? If you’re looking for a fancy evening out and a chance to support the local botanical gardens and a group of artists, look no further than the Tucson Botanical Gardens’ Black Tulip Gala. It celebrates the opening of three nature-inspired exhibits: Living Bronze Sculptures, by Robert J. Wick; The Photographic Art of Kate Breakey, featuring hand-colored photos of black tulips and their growers; and Out of the Woods: Celebrating Trees in Public Gardens, a New York Botanic Gardens Triennial Exhibit featuring 42 works to celebrate trees. Living Vine Entertainment is performing and Gallery of Foods is catering. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $225. Details here.
Reading with Natalia Treviño and Leticia Del ToroKore Press hosts this appearance by two visiting fiction writers that will leave writers, aspiring writers, lovers of literature and most humans feeling inspired. Treviño, in from Texas, is the author of Lavando La Dirty Laundry and the new chapbook VirginX. She’s also a professor at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio. Del Toro, in from California, is a writer, arts activist and teacher who has received honors including the Kore Press Short Fiction Award and a VONA Voices fellowship. She’s completed a short story collection and is at work on a novel. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Kore Press, 325 W. Second St., room 201. Suggested donation of $5, no one turned away for lack of funds. Details here.
Carlos Estévez: Entelechy–Works from 1992 to 2018. Carlos Estévez uses his art to explore the way human spirituality intersects with the human experience throughout all of time and history. So we’re talking cosmological, metaphysical, transformational themes. In fact, “entelechy” is a philosophical concept about the transformation of an idea into reality. With everyday objects like encyclopedias, clocks and vials, combined with bold geometric patterns, delicate line art and lots and lots of symbolism, Estévez explores the process of becoming. You’ve enjoyed plenty of art on a visual level, but this work aims to transcend the visual and enter the realm of the mind. Saturday, Jan. 26 through Sunday, May 5. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Ave. $12 adults, $10 seniors 65+, $7 college students and youth ages 13 to 17, free for kids 12 and under, veterans and museum members. Details here.
Robert J. Wick: Earth, Life, Man. The Tucson Botanical Gardens knew that Robert J. Wick’s sculptures, all of which carry living plants or trees, needed an exhibition at the gardens as soon as they heard him say, “Until you can grow a tree from your own heart, you’ll never understand the oneness of all things.” I mean, seriously, who just spews beautiful poetry like that? Or how about this? “The flora are not decorations, but are an integral part of the art defining its character by quality, shape and nature of the plants used… My works are a union of art, man and nature.” These beauties will be on display throughout the gardens starting this Saturday, Jan. 26 and through the end of June. Garden hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day, and 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15 adults, $13 students/seniors/military and $8 for kids 4 to 17. Free for members & kids 3 and under. Details here.
Border Cowboys and Border Cowgirls. Jackson Boelts, an art professor at the UA, and Joseph Labate, who chaired the School of Art’s Photography department for 19 years, collaborated on this project to tell the stories of the men and women working on the ranches of Southern Arizona. And they’re doing it (thanks to a grant from the Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry) with some truly beautiful art. Boelts created a series of large, abstract watercolor paintings, and Labate captured the subjects in photographic portraits. The result is a series of images that are full of life and color, and worth far more than a thousand words. 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Amerind Museum, 2100 N. Amerind Road, Dragoon, AZ. Admission is $10 adults, $9 seniors 62 and up, $8 college students, $7 youth 10 to 17 and free for kids
under 10. Details here.American Indian Arts Exposition. 15 days. 10,000 years of culture. 80 tribal nations. An official event of the Tucson Gem Show, this collection of American Indian arts and crafts will feature demonstrations on basket weaving, Hopi crafts, beadwork, traditional Navajo jewelry and custom jewelry making and repair. They’ll also have weekend tribal dancers at the poolside. Whether you’re looking for jewelry, a buffalo skull, a handmade Navajo rug, a dream catcher, artisan pottery, a handmade flute or pretty much anything you can even dream of, you’ll find it here. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 through Saturday, Feb. 9. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10. Quality Flamingo Ballroom, N. Stone Ave. Open to the public. Details here.
Family Adventure Hour at the Tucson Presidio. Folks at the Tucson Presidio Museum are big believers in hands-on learning. After all, what better way to help you get a grasp on the fact that historical figures were living, breathing people than by living out a little bit of history yourself? The Family Adventure Hour is geared for children ages 4 to 8, and features a tour of the archaic-era pit house, the Presidio barracks and original foundation wall, the millstone, and the mural. Then, an interactive activity will teach a lesson about Tucson’s history and culture. And THEN, everyone gets to color. The kids will enjoy it so much, they won’t even mind that it’s educational. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Tucson Presidio Museum, 196 N. Court Ave. Cost included with admission, which is $5 for adults, $1 for kids 6 to 14 and free for kids 5 and under. Details here.
Tombstone: Outdoor Screening at Old Tucson. This special screening of the 1993 classic Tombstone takes place at the same location the film was shot at: Old Tucson! This is your chance to get fully Western, as the screening also includes a pre-show costume contest. The Loft Cinema’s giant inflatable Solar Cinema screen will be placed next to the “Reno locomotive,” which was used in the film. 6 to 8:20 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. 201 S. Kinney Road. $5. Details here.
St. Philip’s Market. Did you know this market is one of the largest in the state? If you’re looking to spend a Saturday morning and early afternoon browsing through and buying handcrafted local jewelry, pottery and art, this might be an event for you. And if items like handmade pasta, delicious baked goods and other food items from local vendors are on your grocery list, you can even get some of your grocery shopping done. And what better place to do it than on top of cobblestones and beneath the shade of Eucalyptus and Sycamore trees? 9 am. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. St. Philip’s Plaza Farmers Market, 4280 N. Campbell Ave. Free. Details here.
Tattoo Pop-Up Party. Want the look and feel of a permanent hand-poke tattoo without the risk of having your drunk friend do it? Try the clean, safe and calm environment of The Ninth House. This Saturday, you can get a tattoo from the custom flash sheet drawn for The Ninth House for just $40, or discuss a small custom design for just five extra bucks. The event is first-come, first-serve, so consider getting there early. And while you wait, you can get an astrology reading! Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. The Ninth House, 236 S. Scott Ave. Details here.
Fine Wines for Felines "Winter Times." You get to drink wine and support cats? What more could you want? Here, you’ll get to sample multiple Arizona wines, and at the same time enjoy hors d’oeuvres. Plus, $10 from every ticket go to the local animal rescue group, Pawsitively Cats. Hosted by the Pawsitively Cats No-Kill Shelter and the Arizona Wine Collective. 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. 4280 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 155. $25 for wine tastings, raffle tickets extra. Please purchase your ticket online prior to the event. Details here.
Citrus Jubilee at Rillito Park Farmers Market. Celebrate the citrus season at the Rillito Park Farmers Market. The Heirloom Farmers Markets will be selling a sea of citric acid, in the form of local oranges, grapefruits, lemons, tangelos and kumquats. Featuring citrus tastings and education. Plus, when you purchase citrus from the market, you can have it juiced for free. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27. 4502 N First Ave. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: weekend , fun things , movies , art , events , Tucson , farmers markets , music , educational , film , sports , local events , things to do , Image
Thursday, January 24, 2019
The 20th Annual Animation Show of Shows. This latest entry to the Animation Show of Shows features over a dozen animated short films from across the world. Whether they’re hilarious, thought-provoking, heartwarming or just simply weird, the animations able to make it into this series are all certainly noteworthy. 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices.
Details.
The 20th Annual Animation Show of Shows Trailer from Acme Filmworks, Inc. on Vimeo.
Tom Russell. His life and music exemplifies, defines and inspired the so-called “Americana” genre. But don’t hold that against him. Born too late to be a Beat, he nonetheless played music for a Puerto Rican circus, was an ex-pat in Norway and carried on a decades-long friendship with Mister Charles Bukowski. Oh, and he penned one of Dylan and Springsteen’s favorite tunes in “Gallo del Cielo” and has been covered by the Man in Black. (He even earned a journalism award for writing eloquently of Cash’s place in musical history.) Russell’s is a tale of curiosity, perspective and American landscape perspective. The shit of the greats. Russell can exist both as a rugged romantic while artfully re-creating the experience across songs, paintings and books. Kind of a weirdo, then. On his latest, Folk Hotel, Russell is sparse and understated, introducing a wild cast of characters and spinning stories of the dying America mythic, that which perhaps only ever existed in the minds of those blessed enough to see it. Thursday, Jan. 24 at Hotel Congress, 211 E. Congress. 7 p.m. $30. 21+. Details here.Becoming A Goat, And Other Adventures in Science and Technology. Oh, artists. Always pushing boundaries, exploring new mediums, trying to share crucial messages in beautiful ways. For example, designer Thomas Thwaites recently embarked on a project to become a goat. Yeah. Just literally turn into a goat to take a break from being human. At this talk, he’ll talk about the way he combines topics like economics, philosophy, science and history in projects like that goat one, and another one where he attempted to make an electric toaster from scratch. It’s going to be Tucson-tastic. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N. Olive Road. Free. Details here.
Poet’s Corner. If you consider devices like rhyming and alliteration friends, this event at the Joyner-Green Valley Library might be one you want to attend. Whether you just wrote your first poem of you’ve been writing for years, sharing your work with other poets is a great way to get over your fears. Or maybe you like hearing and reading, but writing poetry’s not for you: Don’t worry, this even has room for your kind too. For anyone who appreciates the art you can make with words, head down today, because missing this would just be plain absurd. 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. La Cañada Drive. Free. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: film , movies , mezcal , music , Congress , animation , things to do , local events , Tucson events , Thursday , Jan 24 , Image , Video
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Reflections About Bears Ears: An Evening in Honor of Karen Strom. In 2015 and 2016, the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition in southern Utah advocated for the establishment of Bears Ears National Monument, and in 2017, it already had to respond to a downsizing of the monument. At this event, Keynote speaker Carleton Bowekaty, member of both the coalition and the Pueblo of Zuni Tribal Council, will speak. Also on the lineup is astronomer and photographer Stephen Strom, who made a recent gift of Native American art to the Arizona State Museum in memory of his late wife. He’ll be talking about his project documenting Bears Ears, and will be signing copies of his new books, Bears Ears: Views from a Sacred Land and Voices from Bears Ears (which he wrote with Rebecca Robinson). 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. Center for English as a Second Language, 1100 James E. Rogers Way, room 103. Reception and book signing to follow program. Free. Details here.
School of Art’s Letterpress Lab. You probably didn’t know that the UA has a letterpress lab, just like you probably didn’t know how many different kinds of printing methods and practices there are in this great big world: letterpress printing, experimental printing, paper techniques, binding and a booker. And in terms of the technology: board shears, paper cutters, book presses, guillotines, wire-o-binder, a laser cutter, a photopolymer plate maker and an industrial sewing machine. The School of Art’s Letterpress lab has it all! Go check it out at this special tour. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. School of Art Graduate Studios, 1231 N. Fremont Ave. Free, but reservations required. Details here. Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: food , heritage , letterpress , School of Art , Bears Ears , The Presidio District , things to do , Tucson events , Image , Video
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Planet What. Planet What mixes surf, garage and singsong punk to cook up some bittersweet, modern grrl birthday cake. For years this trio has been central to the Tulsa indie scene—in bands The Daddyo’s, Who and the Fucks and The Girls Room, and contributions to zines, bookings, and multi-genre art shows. Planet What is the evolution of these experiences. Surf tones contrast haunting, Breeder-like melodies on tunes like “Kelly 33” while “Lemon Lime Looker” plays up potential energy, a sparse-fuzz guitar lick gives to trashy symbols, killer monodynamic vocals and scathing words directed a phone-loving phony. Fuzzed-up and noisy, the recent Maggie Fingers EP alludes to Kim Deal’s work, continues past ’90s nostalgia towards a wistful mix of anger, hurt and longing. In short, and without getting political, Planet What’s sonic stew well-reflects the frustrations and desires of being a kickass woman in Donald Trump’s America. With Alien Jacket, Vasectomy and Sauced Up! 2448 N. Estrella Ave. Tuesday, Jan. 22. 7:30 p.m. All ages. Donations encouraged. Details here.
Flor de Toloache. Four New York women of varying musical and ethnic backgrounds may be the preeminent mariachi quartet working today. That’s saying something, man. In 2017, Flor scored the Latin Grammy for best Ranchero album, but that ain’t really shit because this is about the music, not the hype. Soaring vocals over traditional and modern arrangements reveal a nuanced understanding of not only the history of mariachi but their place in it. Like Susana Baca or Lila Downs, these women celebrate their feminismo without ever sacrificing their vulnerable, nurturing sides. As brazen and confident as any dude player, these flores infuse the genre’s already rich emotional palette of romance, nostalgia and longing with delicate strengths of a woman. If Ranchero ballads are a workingman’s blues, then Flor de Toloache is the love letter back, filled with sweet recuerdos, fierce loyalty and the pain of raising a family across the border from the one you love.These “Mariachi Femininos” combine powerful instrumental jams with honey-sweet vocal melodies. The four members play their respective guitar, violin, trumpet and guitarrón, and fuse in four-part harmonies to make music that is at once authentic, traditional and innovative. Their first album got them a Latin Grammy nomination, their second album scored them the prize. Flor de Toloache is recommended listening for anyone in the borderlands region, or anyone looking for proof the ranchero/mariachi music genre is alive and constantly reinventing itself. See Flor de Toloache at 191 Toole. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. $14-16. 21+. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: Tuesday , music , movies , women , mariachis , teachers , bands , concert , things to do , fun events , Tucson events , Jan 22 , Image , Video
Monday, January 21, 2019
Black Panther (free MLK Day screening)
The Loft Cinema is screening Black Panther for free all throughout Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Get a bad-ass heap of liberation with three free consecutive screenings all throughout the day of remembrance! 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details here.
Mid-Winter Celebration: Snowflakes and Cocoa
The great thing about a Tucson winter is that, for the most part, you can spend it outside, if you want. Bring your family, friends and self down to the Tucson Botanical Gardens for this event full of both merriment and learning opportunities. Kids can learn how snowflakes form, decorate a galaxy cookie and sip on some hot cocoa among some of the city’s loveliest foliage. And we can all band together to appreciate that, no matter how you feel about Arizona winters, at least it’s not an Arizona summer. 9 a.m. to noon. Monday, Jan. 21. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Event included with admission, $15 adults, $13 seniors/students/military, $8 kids 4 to 17, free for members and kids 3 and under. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: Martin Luther King Jr. , MLK Day , Monday , free , events , things to do , Tucson events , Jan 21 , Image , Video
