Pick of the Week

Meet OSIRIS-REx! The UA Lunar and Planetary Lab is teaming up with NASA to head back out into space. The pretty damn cool science mission, led by Principal Investigator and UA Professor of Planetary Science Dante Lauretta, will spend the next two years chasing down the near-earth asteroid Bennu. Once OSIRIS-REx catches up with Bennu in October 2018, it will start relaying photos and other data back to earth about the makeup of the asteroid. On Independence Day 2020, the robotic spacelab will scoot right on up next to Bennu before reaching out with a robot arm to blast some dust from the surface and catch it with a container. Sometime around March 2021, OSIRIS-REx heads back to earth and in September 2023, the capsule with the asteroid dust pops loose of OSIRIS-REx and lands somewhere in the Utah desert. From there, the science teams will be off to races with their analysis of the sample.

You can learn all about the ORIRIS-REx mission at Summer Science Saturday, a day of panel discussions, talks and exhibits about OSIRIS-REx at the Lunar and Planetary Lab's Kuiper Space Sciences Building, 1629 E. University Blvd. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27.

If that's not enough outer-space adventure, the nearby Flandrau Planetary is reopening the same day with free admission and $3 admission to the new theater programs. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. More info here.

It's Our Birthday!

Tucson is turning 241 this weekend. There's a plethora of ways to celebrate (a hike at Saguaro National Park, a bucket of eegees and a trip to Antigone Books sounds like a perfect Tucson day), but here are your more formal options: Celebrate "with a bang" at Presidio Museum (196 N. Court Ave.). Festivities include a cannon firing, mariachis and UNESCO City of Gastronomy-worthy Sonoran snacks. Looking for an option with more icing? Head over to the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum (414 N. Toole Ave.) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to hang out with the mayor and eat some birthday cake. Or you could celebrate Tucson's Birthday at 1912. For the Old Pueblo's 241st Birthday, 1912 Brewing Co. wants you to celebrate with them the best way—with beer. Local breweries will provide suds along with live music and art. This event runs noon to 9 p.m on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 1912 Brewing Co., 2045 N. Forbes Blvd., #105. All the events listed here are free to attend. 

The twilight of summer is here (womp womp).

Upsides? Walking out the front door will soon no longer feel like accidentally opening a pre-heated oven. And hey, here's a list of five awesome events to attend before the onslaught that is the first week of school descends upon our once empty, tranquil desert streets.  

1) Silversun Pickups at the Rialto
Although ideally we'd rewind back about a month and blast these driving rhythms through an iPod stereo on some beach in Mexico, we'll just have to enjoy them now at the Rialto when Silversun Pickups roll through on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. Full of sway-worthy, 90s-esque complex sound, the Pickups are the perfect act to celebrate the angst that comes with the last days of summer. Check them out here.    

2) Open Studios Under the Full Moon
The Metal Arts Village's (3230 N Dodge Blvd) monthly gathering of booze, food and art is happening this Thursday, Aug. 18 starting at 6 p.m. Wander around and meet local artists doing what they do best, followed by some food truck fare and perhaps a summery Hef from Tucson Hop Shop. Family friendly and free, check out the Facebook event page for more details.

3) Twilight Bicycle Mural Tour | COX Plaza Dance Party
This one's for the bikers and dancers out there looking for one more night of empty streets and breathable dance floors. The tour will start at MOCA (265 S Church Ave) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19 and will officially set off at 7:15 p.m. After a 2-hour, flat ride showcasing some favorite murals in the area, (and for the non-cyclists among us) the night will end with a dance party at Cox Plaza with DJs BayBay Ruthless + Illslur. Tickets are 5 bucks or free if you're a MOCA member. Here's the info.

4) Wild Style at the Loft 
This month's Staff Selects takes us to the hip-hop glory that was 1980s New York City, a docudrama that features the graffiti, freestyling, scratching and breakdancing that exploded onto the city scene on the heels of a new artistic culture. Even the actors were taken right from the neighborhoods featured in the film. The flick airs Sunday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Loft (3233 E Speedway Blvd). You can take a look at the trailer before heading out. 

5) Brew-HaHa Comedy Showcase
Coming in hot a few days after the first day of school, the Brew-HaHa Comedy Showcase at Borderlands Brewery (119 E Toole Ave) is promising an "amazing" show, with plenty of beers on tap just in case the laughs don't land for everyone. The latter shouldn't be too much of a problem with headliner Monte Benjamin at the comedy helm, with local AZians Randy Ford, Charles Engle and Dan Thomson also on the bill. The show, on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m., has a $3 cover, here are the deets. 

IBT's Big Gay Weekend is upon us! Join your local favorites Tempest DuJour and Aija Simone for a fun filled weekend featuring entertainment, giveaways, food and drinks. 

T.G.I.F
The weekend kicks off Friday night with a drag show hosted by Tempest at 9 p.m. with special guests, Shannel from RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, IBT's Drag Race Season 3 Winner Asphyxiasia and the Haus of Kunt. Following the show there will be a thirty minute meet and greet and the Go-Go Boys will be on at 11 p.m. 

WERK!
Saturday night will be an evening filled with comedy and music with the stars of Hey Queen! who will be performing a special show WERK QUEEN at 9 p.m. Following the show there will be a thirty minute meet and greet and the Go-Go Boys will be on at 11 p.m. There will also be surprise performances on the dance floor. 

Sunday Funday
There will a free lunch buffet, drink specials and a drag show hosted by Aija Simone at 2 p.m., which will feature special guests Isis D'Frost, Raul St James and Kiki Vermont. Karaoke will follow from 4 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

For more information visit the event Facebook page. 

Community

Return of the Mermaids: Celebrate the monsoon with this annual festival and parade. Dress up and join the mermaids as they make their way through 4th Avenue and Downtown Tucson. Families are welcome at this multi-venue event, but mermaids are known to get "a little racier" as the evening goes on, so parental discretion is advised. Follow the link for details on where to find your favorite under the sea activities, including: the mermaid pageant, the kids costume contest, a dinglehopper workshop, and the SURFBROADS. Noon-2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13.

Laid Back Spanish Class: Get your español on without the stress of a traditional classroom setting—or the ever rising cost of tuition. This is a beginners course which will look at culture and verbal and written communication. The first class is Monday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m.—though participants are also expected to attend the second and third lessons on Aug. 22 and Aug. 29. Buy tickets here. Southern Arizona Work Space, 403 N. 6th Avenue. $45. 

Iskashitaa Refugee 101: Attend this interactive workshop, which will focus on global, national and local aspects of refugee settlement. Learn about the ways Ishkashitaa enhances the Tucson community through food-based programming and explain how anyone can become a volunteer. 6-8 p.m. Thursday. Aug. 11 Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd. Free.  

Whether you're an experienced filmmaker or looking to try something new, this might be for you: Tucson Fringe and Strada Company are teaming up to produce the first-annual Three Minute Film Festival. 

Why three minutes?

Because new and emerging filmmakers often don’t have the resources for longer pieces. The Fringe, as you might guess, is putting special emphasis on alternative storylines, new ideas, artful concepts, and imaginative flair. Whatever you’ve got – HD Video, pocket camera, smart phone – if you can shoot video on it, you can enter the Three Minute of Film Festival Festival.

Don't worry, you have plenty of time to make a three minute film, the entry deadline isn't until Oct. 1. Each film that's selected will get a public screening, and a be entered for a chance to win cash prizes (the dollar amount of which will be determined by screening attendance and number of entries).

The entry fee to submit a film to the festival is $10. 

The details are still being ironed out, but the screening is expected to take place downtown in late fall.

The Tucson Fringe Festival is an unjuried and uncurated performance festival, so the Film Festival will accept as many short films as seems reasonable and prudent. You don’t have to be reasonable and prudent, though. This Festival is open to filmmakers across the world but Strada Company and the Tucson Fringe plan to reserve a portion of spots for southern Arizona filmmakers.

The categories to win prizes in are as follows: Audience Award, Best Narrative Film, Best Art Film, Best Writing, Best Director

Submit your three minute film here, and for more information email the Tucson Fringe Festival at [email protected], or call 621-4851.

Food & Booze

Bakasana And Beer: It's Yoga hour at the Dragoon Taproom on select Saturdays hosted by Exude Yoga LLC. First come, first served. The event will run 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. on S Aug. 6. $5. Looking for something more intense? Head back the next day for Brewery Bootcamp because beer should always come after a workout. Dragoon is offering a full body regimen followed by post-exercise brews. All fitness levels can participate, bring your own mat, water, and sweat towel. (21+) 11 a.m. to noon. Aug. 7. $10 per person, includes one beer.  Dragoon Brewing Co., 1859 W. Grant Road #111. 

First Friday Summer Sale: The Food Conspiracy Co-op is offering 10 percent off all day Friday, August 5th with tunes and food included. Naim Amor will be playing from 6 to 8 p.m. The sale runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 5.  Food Conspiracy Co-op, 412 N. 4th Ave.

Twilight Farmer's Market: The first Friday of every month head over to Sycamore Park to buy produce, food, arts and crafts and enjoy music. 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 5 Sycamore Park, E. Sycamore Park Blvd.

Music

Next + Direct: MOCA is hosting some spacey beats this weekend. Cobra Family Picnic, Jim Colby, RND1 and Wet Marble will all be performing at Next + Direct, a celebration of rhythm and sonic power. 7 p.m. Aug. 6. MOCA, 265 S. Church Avenue. Free for MOCA members, $5 for non-members. 

The Key Ingredients of African Soul: Get excited for the latest Key Ingredients of African Soul show, featuring songs written by Mike "Doc Twang" Olson and covers from Afro-pop legends such as Thomas Mapfumo, Tshala Muana and Cardinal Jim "Rex" Lawson. 7 p.m. Aug. 6. Monterey Court, 505 W. Miracle Mile. $5.

Cornelius Performs Fantasma: Japanese pop-noise savant Cornelius will be performing 1997 album Fantasma at the Rialto next Monday. The show will undoubtably give you some serious '90s nostalgia so consider picking up the vinyl reissue of the album to help ease your pain once the show is over. 8 p.m. Monday, Aug, 8. Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. $26-$29.

Surfapalooza: Club Congress is gathering Arizona's finest surf bands (Grave Digger, Shrimp Chaperone, Big Galoot and The Surfboards) for an evening of fish tacos, cold beer and great music. It's gearing up to be a true blue surf party. Well, minus the beach. 21+. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Free.

Unbreakable Gear has partnered with HopeKids Arizona to hold a fundraiser show to raise money for brave kids dealing with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. 
Power Up Against Cancer is meant to be a show of strength for all the kids who are battling an illness and fighting for their life.

Hosted at the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., the show will be on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The fundraiser will feature everything from Arizona's top arm wrestlers and nationally ranked body builders posing, to bench and deadlift exhibition and olympic fitness competitors. 

In addition to lifting by Unbreakable Gear's athletes there will also be a silent auction, crowd activities and more. 

Bring the whole family out to simultaneously enjoy the strength show and put a smile on kids faces. Admission is $10 for adults, but children 15 and under are in free. 

Can't make the show, but want to show some support? Donate to event's GoFundMe here.

Be a part of UGNation and help make this an incredible event for the UNBREAKABLE kids. 

For more information visit the Facebook event page or Unbreakable Gear's website. 

In honor of the summer backyard basketball season, Tucson Improv Movement is hosting a comedy tournament. Teams of three comedians will perform, and you can help crown the champions. 

The first round is Saturday, Aug. 6 from 9 to 10:15pm at Tucson Improv Movement, 329 E. 7th St. 

For just $5 you can attend and be a member of the audience who will vote and decide who advances onto the next round.

Eight unique teams will compete over the next month and you can determine the champion, just make sure to attend each live game every Saturday for the next four weeks.

Fighting for the title of 3V3 Improv Comedy Champion, enjoy Tucson's best and most hilarious comedians duke it out. 

In the mood for a little nostalgia—and vodka? Plan to go to the '90s Bar Crawl this Saturday, Aug. 6.

The crawl will stop in at a plethora of downtown bars (Elliott's on Congress, Batch Cafe & Bar, Highwire Lounge, R Bar, Playground, O'Malley's, Borderlands Brewing Co., the Surly Wench, Maloney's, Che's Lounge, Mr. Heads, Sky Bar and the Hut), all of which will be blasting '90s tunes and giving out "goodies." 

Registration starts at the Hut (305 N. 4th Avenue) at 6 p.m. The Bar Crawl itself will run fro 8 p.m. to midnight, followed by an afterparty at the Hut from midnight to 2 a.m.

Your $20 registration fee gets you food and drink specials, into the afterparty and goes (in part) to support Pima Paws for Life.

So work on your outfit (there's a costume contest) and dance moves (and a running man contest). Tickets are available online.