Portland transplant Kristine Levine won a slot for Tucson among headliners at the Bird City Comedy Festival in Phoenix April 6 through 9. Four other stand-up comics and two improv teams round out the cast of current and former Tucsonans selected for the weekend of comedy that’s attracting performers and fans from all over the U.S.

Sixty-plus stand-up comics, nine improv teams, six storytellers and three sketch-comedy teams, perform among eight central-Phoenix venues. Advance tickets and a complete schedule are at birdcitycomedyfestival.com.

Even comics not picked for the fest have a shot. They can sign up online for each night’s “Little Bird Showcase.” One comedian from each showcase wins a festival-show spot.

Levine says, “Everyone in Arizona has welcomed me with open arms and I feel blessed and lucky to be here and included in the fun. As with all festivals, I'm looking forward to the after-parties the most!”

Among the returning prodigals are Amanda Hurley and Ryan Malco, now performing standup in New York City, and Brooke Hartnett who now works in the Chicago improv scene. Hartnett says, “I'm super excited to play with both (Tucson improv teams) Kitten Spit and The Riveters again. The festival is a great excuse to play with people I'm already comfortable with.”

Hurley looks forward to seeing old friends from the Tucson comedy scene. She says, “I miss having a tight group of comics and getting to see their faces every night. In New York, there are so many comics and so many possible paths to take that there isn't really a strong sense of community.”

One long-time Tucson comedian and promoter will make the festival his farewell. Alex Kack says, “This will very likely be my last show (in Phoenix) before I head off to the east coast in June. It'll be a great goodbye to the whole thing. “

Malco, though, could be speaking for every comic at the festival: “I'm still pretty depressed and filled with self- loathing, but going to Bird City makes it the best version of that.”

Below are comments all the Fest’s Tucson comics shared with The Weekly.

Brooke Hartnett
I'm super excited to play with both Kitten Spit and The Riveters again, especially since I've moved away. Being in the festival is a great excuse to play with people who I'm already comfortable with! Kitten Spit in particular is one of my favorite teams I've ever been a part of. Because it's just Clare and me doing a monoscene (one long improvised scene with no edits). It's really different from anything else I've done. We really have to be patient with each other and the audience. It's easy to forget, in that format, that just because the audience isn't laughing every second, it doesn't mean they aren't entertained.

Amanda Hurley
I miss you, Tucson! Please send Mexican food.
I got to do the festival last year and it was a such a fun experience. Genevieve (Rice) runs a great festival, and she makes a special effort to help performers. I'm looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting new ones! I'm also super excited for the Storrs Objection. Shout out to Matt (Storrs) and Hattie (Hayes) for being straight up killers and very nice people.

I don't know Kristine very well (just added her on Facebook—hope she says yes! Oh god, what if she doesn't say yes?) but she seems fantastic and incredibly funny and I'm always going to root for a woman in a mostly male comedy scene.

Matt is hilarious and I think his material is fun and unique. Also, I am pretty sure he is actually a very timid gecko that a witch turned into a real boy or possibly not a real boy at all but in fact a meerkat suffering from an intense Taco Bell addiction.

My dear sweet Kack is a very clever comic and an amazing producer which is incredibly hard to find. And, despite his slovenly appearance and the general sense that his family has worked the night shift at Quick Trip for a thousand generations, he's a really great guy.
In general, it's just good for Phoenix and Tucson comics to know each other. It opens up the door for more collaboration and the possibility of more stage time and better produced shows for everyone.

Alex Kack
I’m looking forward to not bombing as badly as I did last year. Honestly, though just the whole thing, It's easy to get jaded doing comedy in the same scene over and over again, seeing talent from other places is incredibly refreshing it pushes you to analyze what you've been doing and to do it better. Plus, Phoenix is my home town and this will very likely be my last show there before I head off to the east coast in June. It'll be a great good bye to the whole thing.

Kristine Levine
The most exciting thing for me, this is a new festival for me in a new comedy family. Everyone in Arizona has welcomed me with open arms and I feel blessed and lucky to be here and included in the fun. As with all festivals, I'm looking forward to the after-parties the most!

Nervous? Yes and no. Not nervous really for the shows but every comedian I've ever met is in one stage or another of a social anxiety disorder so seeing new faces, remembering names, that's the stuff nightmares are made out of for me. But those after-parties make it all better!

Ryan Malco
It feels great (to be selected for the festival. I mean I'm still pretty depressed and filled with self-loathing, but going to Bird City makes it the best version of that.

The most important part of this festival for me is meeting other comics from across the country. Obviously performing is amazing but so is getting to see all the other comics.

Clare Shelley
I'm very excited to be part of the festival. There is nothing better than improvising with your favorite people! I would have to say the best part about being able to do improv with Kitten Spit is being able to look at Brooke's face for 20-30 minutes straight and also force a lot of physical contact when it isn't really warranted. Other than that, since Brooke and I have such a strong friendship, doing a monoscene allows us to explore different facets of that relationship in creating characters that come from the more hidden and nuanced parts of ourselves. It is unlike any other improv I do and pushes me to be vulnerable with and trust Brooke so that we can "find the funny" and make the scene interesting.

Matt Ziemak
There are some amazing comedians I am excited to meet and get to see preform, as well as getting to see some friends. I would hope for a positive impact (representing Tucson), but who knows? I might go rogue and make everyone hate me. I guess I just have to feel it out.
Please come to Bird City Comedy Festival! It’s not a far drive and the comedy will totally be worth it, I know, because ya boy will be slinging them jokes.

What’s better than riding your bike through a scenic route? Eating cookies while you do it.

The second annual Tour de Cookie is coming to Tucson to support the Marana Rotary Club as they help fund international community service projects such as special needs playgrounds, access ramps, and water projects in Africa.

On Saturday, April 8 from 8 a.m. to noon, Tour de Cookie will take over the Rillito River Park bike path where 11 organizations in Tucson will hand out homemade cookies to all riders.

Dan Contorno, self coordinator at Marana Rotary Club, said the idea wasn’t original and happened about four or five years ago. The Rotary Club decided to bring it back because a lot of members participated in the original event.

“It used to be almost like a scavenger hunt where there were six or seven stops but this new Tour de Cookie is different, it’s safer and not a race,” said Contorno.

The path is about 29.5 miles and each organization will hand out a different type of cookie every two miles passed.

Contorno said some of the organizations include youth organizations, churches, breweries and insurance companies.

He said the Marana Rotary Club hopes to get 13 organizations by the time the event happens so that participants can have two more stops of cookies.

To sign up for the event, participants can visit the rotarytourdecookie.org website and fill out the waiver form to bring to the event. People riding with a group of 10 or more can get a $5 off discount on the registration fee.

All ages are allowed to participate and the entry fee is $40 but children 12 and under can ride for free. The only requirements for this event is to bring your own bike, your appetite and to leave your competition at home.

Tigers, lions and booze—oh my! If you love wine, animals and live music (and who really doesn't?), head on over to the Reid Park Zoo on Friday, April 7 from 6-8:30 p.m. for its Wine Gone Wild fundraiser extravaganza. Drink samples will be provided by 3 Amigos Tequila, Breakthru Beverage, Rancho Rossa Vineyards, Sonoita Vineyards and more. Food options include POPPED Artisan Popcorn, mini Caprese bites, fruit cups, chicken and wine bake, Gruyere & white wine penne macaroni and cheese, sangria cupcakes and many other tasty treats.

The zoo is partnering with Uber so visitors can use a special promo code on the event's website to get a free ride up to $15. Designated drivers also receive a reduced admission price of $25. For extra money, visitors can even meet one of the zoo's rhinos, Yebonga or Fireball.

This is a 21+ event only. Preorder admission prices are $65 per person or $55 per member. Prices at the door are $70 per person or $60 per member. The VIP visit with a rhino admission price is $120 or $150 if you want early access at 5:30 p.m. Preorder your tickets to this jungle adventure here. This is a perfect event to support the animals at the zoo while having a fun Friday night!

Tom Green’s 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass may have more fans than you do on Instagram. It’s just another credential of his cool. But the latest is this one: The day after his April 6 stand-up performance at the Rialto Theatre, his first horror film, Bethany opens in theaters throughout the US. Co-staring Zack Ward and Shannon Doherty. Check out the previews; we never knew how seriously creepy straight he could be!

Green hits highlights of his backstory throughout his set of twisted, often ridiculous and ever physically-charged comedy, and he punctuates them with fan-favorite catch phrases. There was the local-access TV show in Ontario, Canada hometown, from which MTV plucked him and made him a star with The Tom Green Show and Subway Monkey Hour. There were the films, beginning with Charlie’s Angels, followed by the farcical Freddy Got Fingered, for which he also got writing and directing credits, and cult favorites Stealing Harvard and Road Trip.

A bout with testicular cancer sidelined him awhile, but MTV produced an hour-long documentary tracking his treatment and ultimate victory over the disease. A biography followed: Hollywood Causes Cancer.

Green later won a new audience of millennials by inventing the YouTube video prank, now among the format’s most popular genres. Next, he pioneered the live-streaming talk show, Tom Green’s Show Tonight, which he produced in his home and later posted to YouTube. Naturally, he was also early on board with pod casting.

In recent years, he’s fallen back in love with live audiences, now vastly larger than those he drew as a stand-up upstart at age 15. Just reading the stops on his worldwide tour is exhausting, yet he’s still multi-tasking, writing a sitcom and preparing for another movie.

Much of Green’s set draws from contrasting the technology of his youth to that available today, and the havoc the internet plays with last century’s social norms., especially concerning sex and its many metaphors. He’s also may include jabs at the current POTUS, who once fired Green on The Apprentice and, in campaign season, inspired him to create a satirical music video for Funny Or Die.

The show starts at 8 p.m., Thursday, April. 6 Tickets are $24 to $32 at the Rialto Theatre box office, 318 E. Congress, or at rialtotheatre.com.  For artist info, visit tomgreen.com.

Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo.

Fun in General

Going to the Dogs. Join the Humane Society of Southern Arizona as they attempt to set the world record for most dogs in a photo right here in Tucson. Bring your furry friend and a leash to be a part of the (hopefully) legendary snapshot. 9 a.m. Saturday, April 1. La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Free, but donations encouraged.

Sonoran Spring April Market. Step outside and enjoy the blooming flower’s favorite season. You’ll find food, drinks, crafts and more with Saguaro Market’s annual spring fair. You can shop until you drop by getting the freshest crops of the season. It's only happening for three days, so mark your calendars for organic-lovin' fun. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 6, to Sunday, April 9. Saguaro Market, 657 W. St. Mary's Road.

Free Neighborhood Bike Repair. Get your bike fixed up for free courtesy of Living Streets Alliance. There will also be a limited supply of free bike helmets for kids. Ride or walk on over and don't miss out on this generous opportunity! 10 a.m.-noon. Saturday, April 1 at the John Valenzuela Youth Center, 1550 S. Sixth Ave. Free.

Eggstravaganza! Spoiler Alert: the Easter Bunny is real! Take your kiddies to an eggcellent event at the International Wildlife Museum for crafts, games and pictures with the Easter Bunny himself, so bring a camera. And there’s a candy hunt at 11 a.m. so bring your egg-game (get it?) 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 8. International Wildlife Museum, 4800 W Gates Pass Road. $9/adult; $7/senior or military; $4/child ages 4-12; children ages 3 & under free. Museum members admitted free.

Paint your hound with Courtney Kelly and Danuta Jakubowski. Ever wanted to get a self-portrait of your dog? This is your chance—and you can be the one to paint it. Arizona Greyhound Rescue will be hosting international artists Courtney Kelly and Danuta Jakubowski, who will give some painting pointers while everyone enjoys a well-deserved glass of wine and appetizers. Make sure you wear your lucky jeans for a chance to win some raffle baskets during the event. This is a human-only event, so you can't bring your own pup but there will be some dogs for petting pleasure and artistic inspiration. 6-9 p.m. Saturday, April 1. 4975 N. First Ave. Tickets are $75 in advance and $85 at the door.

The Latin Comedy Jam's Laugh Kings returns to Tucson on Friday, March 31 at the Leo Rich Theater (260 S. Church)  as part of its national tour. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets starts at $16 and are available at the Tucson Convention Center box office or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The law firm line-up of Rizo, Garcia and Martinez comes with a promise to make us laugh, and not just that "Mexi-Can, not Mexi-Can't," kind of laughs. If you are interested in laughter, we are giving away two pairs of tickets. If you are not interested in laughter, we suggest you consider doing this.

One of the best things about movies is that they grant us an escape from an annoying day at work, a frustrating bumper-to-bumper commute or just our daily obligations in general—at least for a couple of hours.

If an escape from any of the above sounds like what you need this week to keep some sanity, pick up these best sellers from Casa Video.

Moana


Passengers


Doctor Strange


Fences


Assassin's Creed


Sing


Moonlight


Arrival


Collateral Beauty


Solace

“First off, I love comedy,” says Surly Wench Pub founder and owner Stephanie Johnston. “I host a lot of burlesque shows, and making people laugh their asses off is the best feeling.”

So when Roxy Merrari, long-time good Wench customer, and her pal Mo Urban approached Johnston about hosting Tucson’s only female-run open mic, she jumped right on board. “They’ve since broadened it to two nights,” Johnston says, “because it went over so well. Everyone seems to have a great time, and the staff likes it, too!”

A regular on Tucson’s stand-up comedy scene, Merrari wanted to be able to do her favorite thing at her favorite club. The idea got legs over a friendly breakfast with fellow comic Urban. “We were talking about how all of our guy friends (in stand-up) were doing comedy around town, but we noticed there just weren't many women,” Merrari says. “We said, ‘We need some more women! We can't wait around for other people to invite us to their shows. Let's just start one!’”

Urban says, “Initially in 2012 (when she started doing stand-up) I had a bad experience. I didn't feel comfortable just because I didn't have a lot of women to connect with. I didn’t feel safe having a voice, and I didn't come back for a few years.”

Now, she says, “I've seen a huge shift. I think it's a very supportive scene, but I also recognize that I can have a voice now, and I feel safe having a voice, whereas I did not before.” Urban points to the recent Tucson Women’s Comedy Festival, hosted by Tucson Improv Movement, as an example of Tucson’s growing appreciation of women’s comedy.

“Once we got the idea to do the show,” Merrari says, “Every time a woman came to Laff's (Comedy Caffe) open mic we pounced on them!” Urban says, “We started asking ourselves, ‘Are we just coming off weird?’" But the encouragement is working, and several new female comics are now learning the ropes at local open mics.

Comedy at the Wench is a show-up-to-go-up open mic at 8:30 p.m., the second Tuesday of every month, and a hosted mic for invited comedians on the fourth Tuesday. Donations are $5, but no one is turned away.

March 28 guests are Dana Whissen of the Torch Theatre Company in Phoenix; the masked comedian Dick Strangler; Southern California comedy scene transplant Marilyn Lopez, aka M Lo; Lilliya Souslova whose riffs often recall her Russian homeland and Arizona’s Funniest Comedian finalist, Conor Dorney.

The Surly Wench is at 424 N. 4th Avenue. “Like” Comedy at the Wench on Facebook to receive reminders and information about upcoming shows.

Isabella's Ice Cream (210 N. Fourth Ave.)

UA alumni Dominic and Kristel Johnson created Isabella’s in 2010, and opened their location on Fourth Avenue this past November.

“I love how many people walk in and discover it,” Kristel says of Isabella’s. “We’ve been here a few months so everyone is starting to figure out where the shop is now.”

Kristel has nothing but rave reviews for the area. It was her idea, after all, to move Isabella’s manufacturing to Fourth. 

“It’s been wonderful,” Kristel says of the neighborhood. “We love the location and the people are super friendly.”

Kristel prepares the treats in the back of the shop and tries to locally source all of her ingredients. Isabella’s uses cream and milk only from Arizona.

“Everything is fresh, natural, and pure,” Kristel says.

In addition to their ice creams and vegan sorbets, Isabella’s offers ice cream tacos, milkshakes, sundaes, popsicles and Belgian chocolate bonbons. If you’re the indecisive or overindulgent type, it is highly recommended that you try one of each. This selection will be available in-store the entire weekend.

And another menu item that’s sure to be a hit among Street Fairgoers? The ever-so-scrumptious fro-nut. Since its recent introduction, this doughnut ice cream sandwich has become a customer favorite. The Johnsons will be serving fro-nuts and cookie ice cream sandwiches from their vintage ice cream truck this weekend.

Mabel’s on 4th (419 N. Fourth Ave.)

After you’ve gotten your ice cream fix, come visit Mabel’s on 4th. This kitchen boutique opened in November 2016 and sells decor, gadgets and textiles to “make your kitchen smile.”

“We don’t have any serious kitchen stuff like pots and pans and cutlery,” owner Nicole Carrillo says. “We only carry fun stuff.”

The pair relocated from Savannah, Georgia where Nicole’s husband, Johnny, served in the Marine Corps. Nicole believes Tucson, specifically the Fourth Avenue area, is a “perfect fit” for Mabel’s and appreciates the friendliness of her customers.

“Everybody is so welcoming and kind,” Nicole says. “We decided the day we visited that we were going to move here.”

Johnny designs all of the LOL tea towels, including textiles supporting each branch of the military. Mabel’s will be offering 20 new towel patterns at Mabel’s booth this weekend only.

“Our booth will be nothing but all these fun tea towels,” Nicole says. “You’re sure to find something for everyone.”

Nicole says Mabel’s products appeal to all kinds of people, from grandparents to drinking friends.

A great gift for the latter group? A beer bottle or wine glass-shaped cookie cutter. Other quirky cookie cutter options include a bikini top, baseball glove and hippo.

Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo.

Cinema

The Brain. Sure, watching television is probably "bad" for couch potatoes who have been known to binge an entire Netflix series in one weekend (Hello, Santa Clarita Diet)—but at least the risk is limited to bad eyesight and antisocial tendencies instead of, say, mind control. It's mind over matter in The Brain, an ’80s film about a mad scientist/television host and a giant space brain teaming up to take over the great white north through the airwaves. Don't miss out: This is the last of the BAD BRAINS movies this month at the Loft. 8 p.m. Monday, March 27. Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $3.

But I'm A Cheerleader. Natasha Lyonne is probably best known for her role as Nicky Nichols on Orange is the New Black, where she plays a heroin-addicted inmate known for her wild hair, mischievous smile and lady killer charms. OITNB won't have a new season out until June, but you get your lesbian cinema fix when the Loft screens But I'm a Cheerleader. The film stars (you guessed it!) Natasha Lyone as a young woman named Megan whose parents ship her off to a gay-to-straight conversion camp hoping she'll be able to focus on back handsprings instead of boobs during cheerleading practice. We don't want to spoil anything, but those camps never work. Michelle Williams, RuPaul (out of drag) and the guy who played Rufio also show up in this cinematic delight. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26. Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $6.

Forbidden Planet. Space nerds, this is the movie event for you. Participate in National Evening of Science on Screen with Astronomer/longtime UA professor Chris Impey is coming to the Loft Cinema to discuss all things space travel and developing human colonies on other planets—fittingly tied in with a viewing of the 1956 classic sci-fi flick Forbidden Planet, where the crew of the starship C-57D have to uncover the mysteries of Dr. Morbius and the alien Krell. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28. Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $9.50.

Movie Poster Sale. Take a second and look around at your walls. A little blank, eh? Surround yourself with scenes from your favorite flicks by purchasing movie posters from the Loft Cinema. Here's what the theater is promising at their poster sale which takes place the last Saturday of every month: Current posters of films that have ended their run during the month; miscellaneous Film posters of films the Loft did not show; and more than 100 posters (at least 50 titles) from their current poster inventory.At the end of the sale, the remaining posters will be donated to a local arts program. 8-11 a.m. Saturday, March 25. Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $5 per poster.

Dr. Strange at the Drive-In. We’ve been around this town long enough to remember those high-school days of squeezing into the trunk to sneak into the much-missed De Anza Drive-In—and we sure wish this cowtown still had a drive-in that was regularly open. There is a group of drive-in fans trying to make that happen with the nonprofit Cactus Drive-In Theatre Foundation, but while the hunt is on for a permanent home for those massive screens, the group is hosting the occasional drive-in flick at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet. This weekend, the group is screening Marvel’s most recent blockbuster, Dr. Strange. Catch a little movie magic at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in the swap meet’s north parking lot, 4100 S Palo Verde Road. Organizers advise that you should only enter the north lot to get to the flick. Also, they’ll be directing larger vehicles and hatchbacks to park in the back or on the far right and far left side so as to not screw up the view for everyone else, so try to show a bit of courtesy if you’re behind the wheel of one of those. The suggested donation is $15 per vehicle.

Fun in General

Con-Nichiwa. If you’re a fan of Dragonball Z, Himura Kenshin or Yagami Light, you’ll want to get to the Con-Nichiwa this weekend. The American anime convention returns to Tucson on Friday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27 at the Tucson Convention Center. It’s three days of anime fun with actors, animators and even performers such as Chii Sakurabi, a J-POP singer and recording artist from Tokyo, Japan known for her high-energy music, angelic voice, and kawaii style. And there will be plenty of lessons on how to get your cosplay right. Full weekend membership is $45.

Odyssey Storytelling. The past 13 years, Odyssey Storytelling has created community through monthly live storytelling events. Founder Penelope Starr celebrates the release of her book The Radical Act of Community Storytelling: Empowering Voices in Uncensored Events during a fundraiser emceed by David Fitzsimmons from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 24. YWCA Southern Arizona, 525 N. Bonita Ave. $10 suggested donation.

Succulent Bowls with Mimosas. All the best gardening clubs involve a little bit of drinking. Green Things got that memo and thought, “If we offer mimosas, they will come.” Get that drink in your hand and learn how to construct a beautiful little desert haven at this Saturday morning gardening class. The $5 class fee includes your drink, but no other supplies. Planets and pots will be available for purchase, but you can also bring supplies of your own. Don’t forget to RSVP on Facebook so they bring enough booze. 10 a.m. to noon. Saturday, March 25. Green Things, 3384 E. River Road.

The Office Trivia Night: That’s What She Said Edition. Have you ever gotten a new job, only to find yourself completely identifying with the poor, unfortunate souls in The Office? Binge watch the whole show to experience some catharsis, then put your “research” to good use by dominating at trivia night. Teams can have one to six people, and you should probably pick your team based on which of your friends squeal with delight when you yell, “Dwight, you ignorant slut!” in their direction. 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, March 28. Casa Video Film Bar, 2905 E. Speedway Blvd.

Animal Love

Diamonds in the Ruff. You know the internal struggle: You want to buy a new rug, but there are so many homeless animals in the world! However should you distribute your paycheck? Worry not, dear animal/décor lover. You can contribute to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona while bidding on your favorite hand-woven rugs from around the world, with 10 percent of each purchase donated to HSSA. There will be hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and live jazz. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the auction starts at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25. On Sunday, March 26, doors open at noon and the auction starts at 2 p.m. Karomo Rugs, 3630 E. Fort Lowell Road.

Trail Dog Day. Want to adopt a dog? Want to find about local businesses who can do cool things for your dogs? This Sunday marks the third annual Trail Dog Day at Trail Dust Town. There will be booze and there will be adoptable dogs—sounds like an ideal Sunday afternoon. 10 a.m. Sunday, March 26. Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road.

Books

Tucson Weekly Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Smith is celebrating the publication of his book of short stories, Spent Saints, with a pair of readings this weekend. Smith will be at the Owl's Club, 236 S. Scott Ave., from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 25. On hand to entertain the crowd alongside Smith will be fellow authors Isaac Kirkman, Billy Sedlmayr. and John Freeman, as well as some violin from Brian's brother, Barry Smith, and piano from Nick Letson. You'll also have a chance to see 11 short films by various directors inspired by Smith's stories. Then on Sunday, March 26, Smith will read from the book at 2 p.m.  at Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, 6230 E. Speedway. Get a taste of the book that author Laurie Notaro has praised as as a collection that "reaches down to the bottom rung and pulls up despair as it melts into unlikely beauty, brings the reader dangerously close to unfolding, ominous dread and unveils the side of life that is dark, wanting and formidable."

Community

American Friends Service Committee-AZ Centennial. This group takes on Arizona crazyland, challenging the state’s private prison love affair and taking on mass incarceration and immigrant detention. Help them celebrate their 100th birthday on from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, at La Cocina, 201 N. Court Ave. Tucson desert rock icon Billy Sedlmayr will perform alongside poetry readings from the North Star Collective. There’s also a silent auction to raise funds for the program’s ongoing work. La Cocina will donate 10 percent of all sales this night. afscarizona.org

Music

KFMA Day. Powerhouse local alt-radio station KFMA trips the day electric with the fattest punk-metal-pop flourishes on earth. You’ll hear unyielding fist-jacking choruses, youthful balls-to-walls guitars, as well as heavyweight vets like Blink 182 (who, make no mistake, to this day, turn pop-punk force into precision-tuned rock ’n’ roll) and A Day to Remember. Sharing this killer bill is one of our current faves here at TW HQ, Goodbye June. This suitably hirsute combo hails from the great American south and sounds in tradition with that, and boy can they write good songs with hammering riffs, the likes of which hasn’t really been heard since Buckcherry was good. So slam Monster-in-a-can until your heart-rate levels out at a good 120 BPM and dig some of the other bands too, like the heavy-menacing money riffs of Islander and the super-melodic metalist pop of Highly Suspect. What a fun, glorious day of briny push-tits and ear-ringing, shout-out madness. Sunday, March 26 at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2500 E Ajo Way. $40. Doors at noon. All ages.

Lukie D. From the moment the strident horns sound and the hyper recording pops its 2/4 groove, the music is obviously authentically Jamaican. Although at its worst, Lukie D sounds cheesy and his emotional range often appears more limited than his vocals, there’s something guttural and compelling about his pristine croons. His tracks may sound more at home on the Cool Runnings soundtrack than the Harder They Come, yet there’s so much damn sweetness below the sheen. It makes us want to give in to his catalog of love songs just a little bit. Unlike other reggae-lite acts like Maroon 5 or even UB40, Lukie D grew up in the third world and his music betrays some resulting depth in spite of itself. His too-perfect covers have an undercurrent of poverty and its resultant longing for a better life that makes Lukie D a sympathetic and relatable character. God, and his AC/DC cover! Saturday, March 25, Grand Luxe Hotel Event Center (Africa Night Dance Fusion), 1365 West Grant. 9 p.m. $25. All ages.

Ozomatli with Squirrel Nut Zippers. Anyone who's been to an Ozomatli show knows it's nigh impossible not to dance. We’ve seen totally wiped EDM kids summon up their last legs to skank, old-school vatos start the set by nodding their heads only to end up passing their cane to a homie and ducking in and out of the pit. Frat boys drop their solo cups to raise the roof and get down and there's always that universal thought bubble after the first few songs—“So this is what Sublime was getting at.” One of the only acts that can energetically hold a candle to Ozomatli live is the Squirrel Nut Zippers, with their frenetic jump-jive dancehall, one part homage, one part parody. And now thanks to Trump, two of the loudest, proudest Latin American and so-called “Americana” outfits have teamed up for six shows. There's no way this won't be smokin' caliente and chido al misma vez. Tuesday, March 28, Rialto, $35, 6:30 p.m., all ages.

Dieselboy. The Philly-raised Dieselboy (Damian Higgins) is the godhead drum and bass DJ (and now a respected chef!) who made his name back in the 1990s as a gifted jungle DJ. His longevity in a world where DJ careers are usually gone with a change of seasons is remarkable; no doubt due to his crafty, chest-caving productions, and savvy ear for beats, hooks, moods and, yes, trends. He smartly released his recordings on his own badass Human Imprint, and proceeded to enjoy dubstep and electro hits. His videogame work has won over countless sets of ears. Dude’s a master at fusing the urban with the urbane, and take heads off in the process. His new “Angel Dust” kills. This is a super-rare Tucson performance at a killer downtown space. Saturday, March 25, at Solar Culture Gallery and Performance Space, 31 E. Toole. 10 p.m. $15.