Happy Hour Hobble at Tucson Hop Shop. Want to have a drink and feel healthy at the same time? Join the Southern Arizona Roadrunners and about 100 running friends for a free social run (or walk). Folks are meeting at Tucson Hop Shop at 6:15 p.m. before taking off for a three-mile run around The Loop. After the exercise, you get to hang out at the Hop Shop and enjoy local brews and a food truck. Think about how much better those food and drinks will be knowing you earned them! 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 29. 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. Free. Details here.

The Golden Pita. For National Pita Day (because that’s a thing, right?) Pita Jungle is having a Willy Wonka-inspired promotion where customers can win prizes when they dine in and receive a special golden wrapper. One special customer will win Pita Jungle for a year if they get a golden wrapped pita, and 24 others will get $50 gift cards if their food comes wrapped in similar packaging. But be aware, you schemers, the golden wrapper will be hidden under the regular wrappers so diners will need to be on the lookout! Friday, March 29. Available at all Arizona locations, including the two locations in the Tucson area. Details here.

Mozart Requiem. You know when you’re really sad and feeling sorry for yourself, so you listen to sad music and just kind of soak in sadness? That’s sort of what Mozart did when he wrote the Requiem at the end of his life. But instead of being pathetic or mopey about it, he made something that expresses grief in a beautiful, unforgettable way. In contrast, this night also features five-time Grammy winner Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna (Eternal Light). Though it was written in response to his mother’s death, it’s full of light. Lauridsen will be in residence with True Concord Choir, Orchestra and Soloists. the week of these performances. 7 p.m. on Friday, March 29 at Valley Presbyterian Church in Green Valley, 2800 Camino Del Sol. 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive. 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 31 at Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd. $20 GA, $40 premium. Details here.

Naila and the Uprising. The UA School of Middle Eastern and North African Studies, and Center for Middle Eastern Studies present this free screening about a woman in Gaza who must make a choice between love and freedom. While set in the 1980s, this film’s themes echo on today. The film is followed by a discussion with Dr. Maha Nassar. Also hosted by the Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance and Jewish Voice for Peace. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 29. 1130 N. Mountain Ave. Free and open to all. Details here.

Clueless. If you’re looking for a nice helping of pure, condensed ’90s, the Loft Cinema has you covered with back-to-back weekend screenings of this high school drama classic. It’s satirical, it’s funny, it’s…an adaptation of a novel published in 1815? Thinking of skipping this screening? As if! 10 to 11:45 p.m. Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $8. Details here.


Bravo Vino Wine Festival. Oh wine, what won’t we do for you? Willcox Wine Country and the Tucson Opera League have partnered to bring a wine festival to Tucson, including drinks from multiple local wineries, such as Zarpara Vineyard, Pillsbury Wine, Bodega Pierce, Keeling Schaefer Vineyards and more. There will also be bands performing and food from local chefs. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30. 3231 N. Craycroft Road. $15 to 20. Details here.

Meet the Winemaker: Callaghan Vineyards. And the wine events keep coming in Tucson! The Arizona Wine Collective is hosting Kent and Lisa Callaghan of Callaghan Vineyards for their Winemaker Series. If you want an inside view of winemaking, as well as some special wine tastings, head on down. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 30. 4280 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 155. Details here.

Blues and Brews Festival. Hosted by the Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation, this 34th annual festival at Reid Park is a smorgasbord of local food, craft beer and the sweet sounds of blues music. Featuring the performances by Canned Heat, Dennis Jones, the Tucson Jazz Institute and more. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30. At the Demeester Outdoor Performance Center, 900 S. Randolph Way. $25 at the gate, $20 advance general admission, $100 VIP. Details here.


Animalia. Members of the Tucson Girls Chorus’ Bumblebee chorus (for kindergarten and first-grade girls) and the Mariposa singers (typically sixth- through eighth-grade girls) will be singing their hearts out in this edition of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s “Just for Kids” series. It’s interactive, it’s animal-themed, and has a bunch of little girls who love to sing. What more could you ask for? One of the best ways to support the arts is to encourage young people who are just starting out, after all. 10 and 11:15 a.m. Saturday, March 30. Tucson Symphony Center, 2175 N. Sixth Ave. Free. Details here.

Second Annual Tucson Time Traveler’s Masquerade. You ever feel like you don’t get enough opportunities to explore your fantastical side? You ever feel like you don’t spend enough Saturday nights watching fairies dance with aliens, or chatting up steampunk airship captains and Medieval women? Boy, does Riddlemetrue Leathercraft have an event for you. Spend your evening doing all of the above, among local and regional vendors and plenty of other fantastical souls. There will also be entertainment by groups like the Whisky Bards, the Circus Academy of Tucson; folk, courtly and waltz dance classes; and tours of the Scottish Rite Masonic Temple with a Mason. 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Scottish Rite Cathedral, 160 S. Scott Ave. $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Details here.

Fiesta Sahuarita. The town of Sahuarita is 25 this year, making it the same age as pop stars like Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber. Or the same age Joseph Smith, Jr. was when he published the Book of Mormon. It’s a significant age to be, sometimes for different reasons. Sahuarita is celebrating with a water park, a foam pit and plenty of live entertainment. You like free T-shirts? They got ’em? How about food trucks and other vendors? Yup. A Ferris wheel and a gyro spin? Oh yeah. A mascot parade might just be the day’s highlight. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Animal Park, 17501 S. Camino de las Quintas (shuttles from some locations are provided by the Sahuarita Unified School District. See sahuaritaaz.gov for more info). Details here.

Spring Festival of the Arts. The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance is back at it again with their biannual festival that has become one of Southern Arizona’s largest regional art events. With more than 100 artists and exhibitors, a fantastic mix of food choices and plenty of live music, it’s a practically perfect way to spend a weekend. Treat yourself to something new, support local artists, and get out there to enjoy this lovely spring weather. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 30, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road. Free. Details here.

Container Gardening. You may have noticed that the soil you find in Tucson isn’t the most arable in the world. In fact, it’s more sand than soil, isn’t it? So, container gardening is a pretty good option if you’re looking to start a garden. Southwest Victory Gardens is presenting this discussion about the special growing requirements that come with container gardening—including how to grow vegetables! Vegetables taste a hell of a lot better when you grew them yourself, we promise. So why not learn more about how to do it? 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Dunbar African American Culture Center, 325 W. Second St. Free. Details here.

Prom-O-Rama. In Cinderella, the fairy godmother floats in at the last minute and makes sure our heroine has all the stuff she needs to look good at the ball. Cinderella’s Closet, a nonprofit founded in 2009, provides new or nearly new dresses, shoes and accessories for local high schoolers to wear to prom. At this year’s event—the 10th annual iteration—more than 1500 gowns will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s good for the environment, because the dresses are getting recycled! It’s good for high schoolers, because they get to go to prom. It’s good all around. So if you’re not picking up a dress, you can donate a clean prom dress or make a tax-deductible donation. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Tucson JCC, 3800 E. River Road. Free. Details here.

All Nite Scream-O-Rama! The Loft Cinema is making sure you don’t get any sleep, with 12 straight hours of classic horror flicks. Some of the films are cheesy, some are great, some are downright weird. Feel free to bring your pillows and pajamas for this “cinematic slumber party massacre.” Films include: The Blob, Psycho, Candyman, The Howling and more. 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday, March 30 to Sunday, March 31. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $17. Details here.

A Swingin’ Soiree. Presented by the Junior League of Tucson, this fifth annual fundraising event is a night full of dancing, food and desserts. There will also be wine, beer and cocktails on the menu. And like all good fundraisers, there will be silent auctions galore! 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, March 31. 245 E. Ina Road. $65 per person, $120 for couples and $50 for designated drivers. 21+. Details here.

Purim Costume Run. It’s time to head back to the Tucson J for their second annual Holiday Fun Run Series! Do a 10K, a 5K or even a 1K, and feel free to either run or walk. The 10K and 5Ks are timed, while the 1K event is just for fun. Bring the family! If you have kids between 2 and 8 with you (the 5K is free for kids 6 and under with a registered parent, by the way), you might want to stay after for Science Sunday, where childhood experts teach kids about space and earth science, physics and more. Registration available until 7:30 a.m. on race day, with the 10K starting at 7:45 a.m., 5K at 8 a.m. and 1K at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, March 31. Science Sunday is 9:30 a.m. to noon. Tucson J, 3800 E. River Road. 10K: $40 advance/$45 race day. 5K: $25 advance, $30 race day. 1K: $10. Science Sunday is free. Details here.

Sonoran Spring Gala. Spring is a lovely time in the desert! And it’s always a lovely time at Tohono Chul. So celebrating a springtime at Tohono Chul is a beautiful way to spend a day, and to support your local gardens. Domingo DeGrazia and his Spanish Guitar Band are providing the live music, the Garden Bistro is providing the delicious food, Tohono Chul is providing the nature and it’s up to you and your fellow Tucsonans to provide the good company. This year’s grand raffle prizes are a two-night stay for two at Silver City, New Mexico’s Bear Mountain Lodge AND a two-night stay for two at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa and a two-hour Vortex Jeep Tour for two in Sedona. 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Tohono Chul, 7366 Paseo del Norte. $130, and raffle tickets are $10. Details here.
Agave University: An Immersive Exploration of All Things Agave. Oh yeah, agave! That’s the stuff you drink, right? Well, there’s a lot more to it, actually. In this three-hour cultural immersion class, Gary Paul Nabhan will teach you all about the genetic diversity, ethnobotany and cultural history of agave cultivation here in the Southwest—from the Hohokam using it thousands of years ago to us using it today. But don’t worry: Doug Smith and Bill Steen will also be talking about mezcal production, and a tasting of agave spirits, including some lesser-known alternatives to tequila, will cap the event off. 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 31. The Drawing Room, upstairs at Maynard’s Kitchen, 400 N. Toole Ave. $55. Details here.

Sam Hughes Neighborhood Home Tour. Are you ready for live music, lovely art and 21 beautiful venues in the one-square-mile by the UA that makes up the Sam Hughes Neighborhood we all know and love? This year, 11 of the venues will be private homes, and you’ll be able to sample refreshments from some of the neighborhood’s new restaurants and businesses. Take a self-guided stroll, check out the plans for three new developments they have in the works and try not to get too green with envy if you don’t live in Sam Hughes yourself. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Sam Hughes Neighborhood (street parking is plentiful). $30, or $20 for current Sam Hughes Neighborhood Association members. Details here.

Tucson Sugar Skulls vs. San Diego Strike Force. Tucson’s favorite indoor football league team, the Sugar Skulls, are facing off against their San Diego counterparts this Sunday. They’re coming off their first-ever loss earlier this month, so don’t let the sweetness of their craniums fool ya—the Sugar Skulls are ready for a win. So come enjoy a game of good, old fashioned indoor football, which is different than regular football in that the arena is smaller and it’s indoors, but is not actually all that different. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $17 to $99+. Details here.
Tesoros (Treasures). As the Tucson Cine Mexico closes out, there are still some chances to see screenings this week. One such film is Tesoros, about young siblings from a small fishing village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico who embark on a search for lost pirate treasures. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 31. Harkins Tucson Spectrum 18. Free. For a full list of Tucson Cine Mexico screenings, visit tucsoncinemexico.org. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Barrio Bread and Barrio Brewing Pairing. Casa Video Film Bar is celebrating and pairing two awesome local businesses: Barrio Bread and Barrio Brewing. They will feature four beers on tap from Barrio, and each beer will be paired with a special bread from—you guessed it—Barrio! The pairs are: Raspberry Ale and Khorasan, Nolan Porter and Spelt Levain, Ruby Red IPA and Heritage, and Hipsterville IPA and Old World Rye. 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 28. 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. Details here.

The True Cost. This screening, hosted by the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning, Fed By Threads and Sustainable UA, is of a documentary about the story of clothing manufacturing. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. This screening also includes a panel discussion Fed by Threads COO Skya Nelson, UA Office of Sustainability Director Trevor Ledbetter, and Academy Award-winning producer Lina Srivastava. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28. At UA’s ENR2 Building, Room N120. $12.50 to 18.50. Details here.

Poetry Circle. Head to the library for this monthly poetry discussion with docents from the UA Poetry Center. This week, the group is focusing on Naomi Nye, who gives voice to her experience as an Arab-American with her works. She explores topics like greed (“Trees take up the sky. It’s my light, why share it?”), fame (“The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek”), and the childhood (“Grown-ups keep their feet on the ground when they swing. I hate that”) with beautifully simple phrasing that will have you buying up her award-winning works. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28. Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive. Free. Details here.

Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Free Mead Tasting at 1912 Brewing Co. . Mead, it’s a wine made out of honey! What a sweet (very sweet) idea. If you’ve always wanted to try it out, Superstition Meadery is offering complimentary samplings of a variety of meads at 1912 Brewing. 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. Details here.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet: Stardust, From Bach to Bowie. You might have heard of this ballet company’s dancers from So You Think You Can Dance or, if you’re into the world of dance companies, because it was founded by former members of Alvin Ailey, Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden. In this tribute to David Bowie, a crew of dancers exuding equal parts talent, charisma and sexual energy dance styles ranging from ballet to hip hop. As the title suggests, the program is set to a wide range of music, all of which encapsulate the world of glitter and glam that Bowie was so much a part of. It’s the type of thing you’ll enjoy if you love technically excellent dancing, but also the type of thing you’ll enjoy if you love music, excitement, sparkles or any fun at all. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $19 to $80+. Details here.

UA Campus Arboretum Tour. Did you even know that the University of Arizona campus is a national arboretum? And there’s lots to learn about it! Take this opportunity to learn about how this lovely green oasis arose from the sands of the Sonora. Not to mention to spend a nice, March mid-morning walking among a lovely selection of trees and other plants. They say if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. We say if you can’t arbor-etum, then try harder to make time in your schedule, because it’s worth checking out. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 27. Tour begins at the fountain on the west side of Old Main, 1200 E. University Blvd. (Second Street Garage is the nearest place to park.) Free, but reservations required at visitorcenter.arizona.edu. Details here.

Tucson Cine Mexico 2019. Celebrating its 16th anniversary, this partnership between the UA’s Hanson Film/TV Institute and Cinema Tropical has exhibited emerging and independent Mexican cinema to Tucsonans since 2004. Running from March 27 to 31, the festival screens multiple genres at multiple locations across town, including documentaries, dramas and comedies. This also works as a great opportunity to meet and discuss with the filmmakers. For a full lineup of films, events and locations, visit tucsoncinemexico.org. Details here.


Sullivan’s Travels (Free Screening). For the latest installment of their Widescreen Wednesdays, the faculty from the UA School of Theatre, Film & Television are showing this 1941 comedy. This satirical look at the adventure and comedy genres is free and open to the public, with an introduction by UA assistant professor Kevin Byrne. 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. 1030 N. Olive Road. Free. Details here.

Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Undeterred: Sanctuary Celebration and Screening. The People’s Defense Initiative and Loft Cinema are hosting a screening of Undeterred, a documentary about community resistance in the rural border town of Arivaca. Through the years, the town has battled through the impacts of NAFTA, 9/11 and the Obama and Trump administrations. The film will be followed by a Q&A with the director and community advocates. This premier will also be a fundraising effort with proceeds benefiting People Helping People in Arivaca and People’s Defense Initiative in Tucson. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $10. Details here.



Tucson Art Book Club: A Reading with Arthur Hittner. Join the Tucson Art Book Club for a reading with author Arthur Hittner. Hittner will read from Artist, Soldier, Lover, Muse, one of his novels inspired by a New York City artist who died during World War II. The reading runs from 3:30 to 5p.m. at Dusenburry-River Library, 5605 E. River Rd., Ste. 105. Details here.

2019 Spinach Day 5K & 10K. Did you know there's such thing as National Spinach Day? Neither did we! Well apparently National Spinach Day is March 26 and what better way to spend it than to show off and run in this 5K & 10K! 15 percent of each registration fee will be donated to Heifer International, an organization that works to end hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. This is a virtual race that can be done from any place and any time, from March 26-31. So how does that work? You run any place any time and submit your time. Then, your receive your medal in the mail! Cost is $20. Details here.

Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Friends of the Pima County Public Library Community Book Sale. Looking for a good book to read? Or looking for a book to add to your pile of books you’re looking forward to reading when you have more time? There’s always a good reason to buy a book, or a record, or a video, or an audiobook. All of these will be waiting for you at this sale. With 70 categories of books carefully curated and arranged, you’re sure to find something you like, and the special Best of Friends room will have collectible and gift-quality selections as well. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 25. Friends of the Pima County Public Library Book Barn, 2230 N. Country Club. Free. Details here.

Adult Painting Class. Join Creative Juice Art Bar at Bianchi's Italian restaurant on Monday nights for some painting fun! This week's painting is tulips. There are happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. Painting starts at 6:30 p.m. 3620 W. Tangerine Road. Details here.

Savage Streets. The Loft Cinema is showing Savage Streets. Watch Linda Blair fight back against a gang of punk rockers in a leather bodysuit equipped with a wicked crossbow. Admission is $4. 8 p.m. 3233 East Speedway Blvd. Details here.

Borderlands Turns 7. Borderlands Brewing Company is celebrating its seventh birthday, which I guess makes it one of the older breweries in Tucson. They’re planning a whole weekend of celebrations for the occasion, including performances by the local bands Black Cat Bones, Zero Miles to Empty and Kevin Pakulis. Participating food trucks include Blacktop Grill and Substance Coffee Diner. Festivities run from Friday, March 22, to Sunday, March 24. 119 E. Toole Ave. Details here.

Goliath: A Story Retold. So, we all know the story of David and Goliath. I say “David,” you say, “Go, underdog!” I say, “Goliath,” you say, “Booo!” But wait a minute! No one ever really heard Goliath’s side of the story, did they? In this show, choreographer Ashley Bowman has used the music of recording artist, songwriter and composer Zack Hemsey to tell that story. In this version, he’s a lonely, wandering anti-hero, just trying to find his own purpose in a world full of mythical creatures and discoveries. In David, he finds a powerful foe who provides the key to understanding. Goliath is danced by Marquez Johnson, David is danced by Jeffery Griffith, and a cast of eight dancers supports. 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23. 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 24. Pre-concert talk with the choreographer begins a half hour before showtime each day. Saturday night performance will be ASL interpreted. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. University Blvd. $32. Details here.

Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair. The Fourth Ave. Street Fair is one of those events that makes you hyper-aware of how quickly time is moving… didn’t we just have the winter street fair? Oh, that was four months ago? What year is it? How old am I? It’s the perfect way to soothe your angst about the passage of time, and also the perfect way to spend a March afternoon in Tucson. It brings more than half a million people to our sweet desert town, and brings you a perfect opportunity to get some shopping done for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and all those spring weddings and birthdays coming up. 10 a.m. to dusk Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24. Fourth Avenue. Free. Details here.

Spring Break! Family Fun Day at the Farmer’s Market. Trail Dust Town and the Heirloom Farmers Markets are hosting a day full of fun for kids, families and anyone who enjoys food. So, everyone! Fifteen local vendors, live music, face painting and a kids’ area with hula hoops are just some of the offerings. They’ll also have $6 wristbands to provide unlimited access to the Ferris wheel, carousel and train. Many of the gift shops will be open as well, and Trail Dust Town’s newest neighbor, Millie’s Pancake Haus, will be serving breakfast and lunch. Let the games begin! 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 22. Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road. Free. Details here.
The Illusionists. People on fire! People being cut in half! People making stuff disappear! People finding your card in really strange places! If you don’t think you like magic shows, maybe you just haven’t been to a really cool one yet. And The Illusionists, a direct-from-Broadway show featuring five of the world’s best illusionists, has shattered box office records all over the world with how good it is. So this would be a perfect example of a “really cool one.” Should you check it out? Abracadab-duh. 8 p.m. on Friday, March 22. 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $10 off for students and $5 off for seniors and military (except for seats in the Gold Circle). $19 to $90. Details here.

BREAKDOWN/BREAKTHROUGH. The Carport Theater is putting on this community performance event they’re describing as “metaphysical vaudeville,” which, as far as we’re concerned, should be a more common type of vaudeville. Through audience participation in a series of scenarios—one in which a young girl’s life is torn apart and she’s reborn as a she-wolf, one in which a betrayal is revealed, one in which someone recognizes an urgent, unmet need—the show tackles major issues like finding meaning and happiness. One of the lines in the show, for example, is, “Does my suffering offend? It may. Suffering offends both the one who tells and the one who listens.” 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23. The Carport Theater, 3614 E. Presidio Road. Free, but reservations required, and can be made at carporttheater.com. Details here.
The Secret Garden. We could all use a story about flowers and growth and redemption right about now, right? And we could especially use it in musical form. The story of little Mary Lennox’s search for the secret garden, and the life lessons, lifelong friends and life force she finds within herself along the way, is a timeless classic. Based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this Tony Award-winning musical will have you feeling happy and hopeful. 7 p.m. Friday, March 22, and March 29. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and March 30. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24, and March 31. Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. $20 GA, $15 seniors/students/military, $10 kids 12 and under in advance. Prices increase $5 at the door. Details here.

Heather Hardy Band. Heather Hardy has been playing piano since she was six and violin since she was nine, and has been featured on more than 200 albums in her career. Now, the blues artist is based in Tucson, where she plays with her band (though she spends several months of the year performing in New York). The band is playing at Monterey Court in this fundraiser for TIHAN, a local network of religious, secular, corporate and nonprofit organizations that provides support for people in Tucson living with HIV. It’s some seriously good music for a seriously good cause, so come on down to support and enjoy! 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 22. Monterey Court Studio Galleries and Café, 505 W. Miracle Mile. $20 donation—or whatever else you’re able to give on top of that! Details here.

Vegan Brews & BBQ at Crooked Tooth. Southern Fried Vegan is bringing their signature sustainable flavors to Crooked Tooth Brewing. Their soul food menu includes fried chickun, BBQ, mac ’n’ cheeze. jambalaya, beer-cheeze battered Beyond burgers, Cajun corn, totchos and more. 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23. 228 E. Sixth Street. Details here.

Speakeasy Party. While prohibition of alcohol was tossed out long ago, our fascination with the era is anything but. Espresso Art Café is hosting a special speakeasy party where you get to look the part, and drink the part as well! This annual party includes live music, dancing and drink specials. So you better dress up in your most dapper of attire and head on down before the Great Depression strikes! 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, March 23. 942 E. University Blvd. Details here.

WineDown with Wildlife. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is hosting their first wine festival! At the soiree, you’ll get to sip the best local and regional wines and celebrate World Wildlife Day at the same time. Wine producers include: Page Springs Cellars, Del Rio Springs Vineyard, Deep Sky Vineyard, Elgin Winery, AZ Hops and Vines, Lightning Ridge Cellars, Sonoita Vineyards and more. Also included are local foods, stargazing, live music and photo booths. Sponsored by Tucson Foodie. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23. 2021 N. Kinney Road. General admission $40. Details here.
Illusionist Rob Lake. Rob Lake has appeared and disappeared in front of audiences all over the world. Named “The Top Illusionist in the World” by Caesars Entertainment, Lake also appeared on season 13 of America’s Got Talent, and in 2008, he became the youngest magician in the world to receive the Merlin Award, the magic community’s highest honor. So yeah, he’s a pretty big deal. And who doesn’t love watching an entire man and entire motorcycle disappear from a stage in a blaze of fiery glory, or to watch someone safely be cut into several pieces? Don’t miss the magic. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Desert Diamond Casino–Sahuarita, 110 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita. $32.50 to $52.50. Details here. 

Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona. No, it’s not monsoon season yet. It’s Davis-Monthan’s free air show and open house! See aircraft like the Air Force Thunderbirds, an A-10 Thunderbolt and a 22 Raptor, and watch a demo by U.S. Customs & Border Protection. The Red Bull helicopter and skydiving team will also be around to ooh and awe over, as will a shockwave jet truck. Big names in the world of aerobatic pilots, like Kirby Chambliss, Kent Pietsch and Vicky Benzing will be soaring through the air overhead, making you wonder why you never ended up pursuing your childhood dream of becoming a pilot. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, March 24. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 5405 E. Granite St. Free. Details here.
The Works of Andrew Lloyd Webber & Stephen Sondheim. The phaaaaantom of the opera is theeeeeere. And so is Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street; Joseph and his amazing technicolor dreamcoat; and Rose and Louise from Gypsy. Musical theater nerds unite! The works of two of the art form’s most iconic trailblazers are coming to the stage in one night full of incredible melodies, brilliant lyrics and an audience full of people who will probably be singing along. TSO and a cast of Broadway singers will perform selections from Webber and Sondheim’s works that will have you getting ready to join a local theater troupe. 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. $15 to $96. Details here.

Tohono Chul Spring Plant Sale. Maybe you’re good at keeping plants alive. Maybe you’re not. But hey, the only way to get better at something is to give it another try, right? With more than 1,200 species of plants, the Tohono Chul Spring Plant Sale is bound to have something sturdy enough to thwart even the most notorious “I forgot to water them for three weeks!”ers. You can even select specific blooming vegetation to attract local cuties like butterflies and hummingbirds. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24 Propagation Area at Tohono Chul, 7211 N. Northern Ave. Free admission during the sale. Details here.

The Urban Garden Festival + Plant Sale. Hosted by the Tucson Botanical Gardens, this event is dedicated to reconnecting people to their food while viewing (and purchasing) plants. There will be cooking demonstrations, food vendors, live music and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15. Details here.

Park Fest 2019. The Palo Verde Park Neighborhood Association is hosting their inaugural Park Fest event, a celebration of music, food and community connection. Park Fest 2019 features four music stages and three food trucks. The music lineup includes Chuckwalla, Paul Martin, Alégrate and more. Participating food trucks are Haus of Brats, Food Groupie Cafe and The Curry Pot. 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 24. 425 S. Mann Ave. Details here.

To Kill A Mockingbird. Turner Classic Movies’ Desert Hollywood chapter is screening the film adaptation of Harper Lee’s groundbreaking novel for their Big Screen Classics series. This multiple Oscar-winning legal drama features a powerful performance by Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch and a young Robert Duvall and Boo Radley. This event also includes a film discussion after the screening. 4 to 7:40 p.m. Sunday, March 24. At the AMC Loews Foothills 15. 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd. $15. Details here.


The Greatest Showman Sing-Along. The Fox Theatre is showing a special screening of this recent musical based on the life of P.T. Barnum. More than a single-along, the Fox is also hosting a circus-inspired pre-show event, including fortune-telling Zoltar, mask fun for kids, a raffle and a museum of living oddities and curiosities. 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 24. 17 W. Congress St. $5. Details here.

Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Internet Sensational Grandma

“Granny gone viral” is Jeanne Robertson’s handle these days. That’s what a TV station dubbed her a decade ago when her collection of humorous, slice-of-life observations first blew up the internet. Just last Monday, her YouTube channel logged its 67 millionth view.

The stylish, 6’2” former Miss Congeniality brings her class act to the Fox Tucson Theatre at 7 p.m., Friday, March 29.

“I was in my 60s when I embraced the internet,” she says. Now 75, she says she owes her continuing success online, and in her theater show, to “clean, family appropriate stories that are humorous.”

Don’t call her a comedian. She may crack up a crowd, but until the internet found her, she had never stepped foot in a comedy venue. She’s plied her humor as a corporate guest speaker and, for a time, even presided over the National Speaker’s Association. She says that in the corporate world, the word “comedian” scares them to death.”

Her day job is not motivational training or workshops. She swoops in to break up an eight-hour drag of conference sessions with a rib shaking luncheon or dinner talk, dressed in spike heels and pearls.

Most often, she says, her stories show how humor can be an essential skill for sanity and success—“to look for the humor in everyday situations, to laugh at yourself and to influence the people around you to keep a sense of humor.”

And how does she find humor in everyday life? “I have made it a priority to look for humor every day. I get up around 5 a.m. and start looking for speech material. I believe people find pretty much what they’re looking for. There are people who never try to find the humor. Everything is negative. Maybe they just never enjoy what they do.”

But finding the humor is just a start. The homey, hilarious stories Robertson crafts around her finds are what’s propelled her to influencer status on the internet and turned a popular convention presenter into a “humorist” selling out packed houses.

Fun With Conspiracy Theories

Tin Foil Hat with Sam Tripoli comes to 191 Toole at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 29. In a world where daily headlines can’t possibly be real, conspiracy theories are almost comic relief. The Tin Foil Hat podcast gives our blown minds permission to laugh at the genuinely ludicrous. 

Goliath: A Story Retold. So, we all know the story of David and Goliath. I say “David,” you say, “Go, underdog!” I say, “Goliath,” you say, “Booo!” But wait a minute! No one ever really heard Goliath’s side of the story, did they? In this show, choreographer Ashley Bowman has used the music of recording artist, songwriter and composer Zack Hemsey to tell that story. In this version, he’s a lonely, wandering anti-hero, just trying to find his own purpose in a world full of mythical creatures and discoveries. In David, he finds a powerful foe who provides the key to understanding. Goliath is danced by Marquez Johnson, David is danced by Jeffery Griffith, and a cast of eight dancers supports. 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23. 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 24. Pre-concert talk with the choreographer begins a half hour before showtime each day. Saturday night performance will be ASL interpreted. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. University Blvd. $32. Details here.

Spring Moon Flute Concert. Is there anything more Zen than the shakauhuchi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute whose sound is shaped by silence as much as by breath? Not that we know of. To celebrate the first night of spring, Paul Amiel, former music director of the Rogue Theatre, who spent a couple years living in Japan and studying this instrument, and who frequently performs with his ensemble Kyklo, will be playing a show at Yume Japanese Gardens. It’s a full moon the night before the event, so the traditional melodies will be floating through an air filled with almost-full moonbeams. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21. Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Way. $18 tickets must be bought in advance. Details here.

Wild About Flowers Hike. For the serious lover of all things flowers, take a guided hike to see what's blooming in the desert.  You'll learn about and discuss pollination, flower habits and habitats. The hike will be two hours, water and sturdy shoes for hiking are recommended. 2 p.m. Saguaro East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. Details here.

Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Dinner at Dragoon Brewery. This event will finally answer the question: do the hoppiest of IPAs go well with meatballs? Dragoon Brewery is teaming up with Meatball Madness food truck for one heck of a dinner. 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. 1859 W. Grant Road. Details here.

Tucson Roadrunners vs. Iowa Wild. It’s “Turn Back the Clock” week at the Tucson Arena, so grab your 70s garb and get down to the ice. Iowa Wild’s team mascot is an animal of unclear species named Crash who, according to their website, is “highly skilled in cowbell performance.” Ours is the ever-loveable, cuddly-yet-fierce Dusty the Roadrunner. Whose team (and mascot) will come out on top? At 70s night on Wednesday, March 20, they’ll have 7 for $70 packages. 7:05 p.m.  Wednesday, March 20. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $10 to $61. Details here.

Open Studios Under the Full Moon. What better way to spend a warm spring evening than outside exploring local artwork? 12 open studios will be open for you to walk and explore wood, glass, steel and bronze artwork. Food trucks and craft beer will be available. This just keeps getting better! There will even be a free concert by Cadillac Mountain in the sculpture garden! 5-8 p.m. Metal Arts Village, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Tucson Roadrunners vs. Iowa Wild. It’s “Turn Back the Clock” week at the Tucson Arena, which means you get your choice of which decade you want to hearken back to while you watch your favorite local ice hockey team throw down against Iowa. Iowa Wild’s team mascot is an animal of unclear species named Crash who, according to their website, is “highly skilled in cowbell performance.” Ours is the ever-loveable, cuddly-yet-fierce Dusty the Roadrunner. Whose team (and mascot) will come out on top? At ’50s night on Tuesday, March 19, they’ll have 5 for $50 ticket packages, and on ’70s night on Wednesday, March 20, they’ll have 7 for $70 packages. 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 20. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $10 to $61. Details here.

Terminator 2. This film holds several superlatives in my mind, mainly: best action film, best Schwarzenegger film and possibly even best sequel ever. It really is that good. And seeing its majesty on the big screen only makes it better. For those of you who’ve shied away from this masterpiece due to thinking it’s just another mindless shoot-’em-up, Harkins Theatre’s Tuesday Night Classics series is giving you the chance to fix your mistakes. 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. 5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz. Details here.

University of Arizona Baseball. What better way to enjoy the beautiful weather than at America's favorite pass time? Batter up! Watch the Wildcats and enjoy a night of baseball as they take on New Mexico State at Hi Corbett field. The game starts at 7 p.m. and tickets range from $5-$8. 700 S Randolph Way. Details here.