When you think of the top foodie cities in the country, you probably think of New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas etc. But, here in Tucson, we are quietly sitting on a culinary goldmine. Great Mexican food, a long line of historical restaurants plus more breweries popping up every day, Tucson is a great place for those who love to enjoy some delicious food and drink.

Experts at Travelzoo conducted a survey to fine the 6 Top Foodie Cities in the Country Right Now and Tucson tops the list!

The nation’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy has beguiled the Travelzoo team thanks to delicious, approachable fare like the bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dog at El Güero Canelo’s, plus plenty of brunch hotspots, bakeries, and a new bean-to-bar chocolate spot, plus temporary pop-up dinners and other special foodie events. - The Feast

Way to go Tucson! Other cities that made the list were Detroit, Greensville South Carolina, Houston, Oakland and Portland Maine. View the full list here.

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I want it all! Pic by @asoltero213.

A post shared by El Guero Canelo (@guerocanelogram) on Oct 2, 2015 at 11:41am PDT

Frog and Firkin's Eighth Annual Holiday Sing Along. To celebrate the season, Frog and Firkin is hosting a holiday extravaganza: there will be crafts, cookie decorating and even a special visit from Santa. Plus, a sweater and singing contest! Trophies will be awarded to "Most Festive Family," "Most Enthusiastic Caroler," and "Ugliest Holiday Sweater." 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. 874 E. University Blvd. Details here.

Children of Men. Who doesn't love a dystopian sci-fi flick that is slowly becoming our reality every day? Adapted from a 1992 P.D. James novel of the same name, Alfonso Cuarón's haunting and poignant thriller examines a future world destabilized by lack of human reproduction, and the philosophical questions it asks. But besides any of that, you get to see one of Michael Caine's best performances and some of the best cinematography of the decade. 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices. Details here.


Southern Arizona Senior Pride Book Club. You know what? We're less than two weeks away from Christmas, and while you might not have vacation from work quite yet, you deserve to do a little something you enjoy each day until you make it to the holiday break. How about reading a book—or even less demanding, a graphic novel? And then, how about discussing it with some of Tucson's LGBTQ seniors? At this meeting, they'll discuss Alison Bechdel's graphic novel/memoir Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. The book, based on Bechdel's life and relationship with her father, explores topics ranging from sexuality and suicide to dysfunctional family life and the importance of literature. Bechdel spent seven years creating it! You'll love spending an hour and a half discussing it. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. Ward 3 Council Office conference room, 1510 E. Grant Road. Free. Details here.

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

City of Gastronomy and SAZAND December Mixer. Here's your chance to learn about what Tucson is doing with its UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation from members of the non-profit "Tucson City of Gastronomy" and the "Southern Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics." 10 percent of all drink and food sales at the bar will be donated to the organizations. 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink. 101 East Pennington Street. Free. Details here.

Don Pedro's 12th Avenue Pop-Up Lunch. Now that winter is coming into Tucson, Don Pedro's Peruvian Bistro is serving up some chilly season favorites: a limited-time aguadito soup, plus other secret menu items that are perfect for warming you up. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19. 4101 S. 12th Ave. Details here.

Whale Rider. In a sense, this is the superior and arguably more art-house version of Free Willy (minus the Michael Jackson soundtrack). This 2002 movie tells of a young Maori girl who "fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize." The lead actress, Keisha Castle-Hughes, received an Oscar-nomination for her role at only 12 years old. 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details here.


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If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

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

A national day that might make you think of our neighbors to the North; It's National Maple Syrup Day!

While there are lots of syrups out there, some trying to trick you i.e. "pancake syrup" and some obvious like the blueberry, raspberry and other flavors you can find at the diner, true maple syrup is a special delicacy. Here are some fun facts about the celebrated sweet treat:

1. Maple syrup does not stay good forever. Unlike its sweet sibling honey, Maple syrup can go bad and grow mold. Keep it in the fridge after opening and throw the bottle out after six months.

2. Most people know that maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees, but did you know a it takes 40 years before a maple tree is big enough to tap!

3. The Canadian Province of Quebec produces two thirds of all the maple syrup in the world, and the whole country is responsible for 80 percent of all the maple syrup. Oh, Canada!

4. There is an International Maple Syrup Institute that works “to promote and protect pure maple syrup and other maple syrup products.” Talk about a sweet job!

5. While still almost pure sugar, Maple Syrup is one of the most low-calorie natural sweeteners at about 54 calories per tablespoon. So enjoy your pancakes (almost) guilt free!

Find more fun facts here, here and here.

Holiday Planetarium Shows at Flandrau. If you're like us, the holiday season really has a way of getting you in the mood for some laser light shows. Flandrau's annual family favorite, "Season of Light" explores the many festivals of light (hello, Christmas and Hanukah!) that surround the Winter Solstice with the spirit of renewal. A chance to learn about the origin of today's Christmas customs, how the darkest days of winter have inspired people throughout history to start light festivals, and how this all connects back to astronomy will be set to holiday music and narration by Noah Adams of NPR. The new "Holiday Magic" laser light music show will leave you all singing and smiling as well. "Season of Light" shows at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. on Fridays, 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays. "Holiday Magic" shows at 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday, 7 p.m. on Fridays, 3 p.m. on Saturdays and 4 p.m. on Sundays. Through Jan. 6. Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd. $16 adults, $12 kids 4 to 17/senior/military/college students. Details here. 

Facing Work. Need a break from the holiday hustle and bustle? Maybe a little bit of the excessive commercialism? If you haven't swung by the Arizona History Museum yet to check out artist Kim Nicolini's exhibit highlighting the stories and lives of the people behind cash registers yet, now's your chance. Nicolini combines creative art, living people and archival photos to tell a rarely heard story about the people who—in many ways and for many years—have shaped Tucson into exactly what it is today. There's hardly a time where those working behind store counters could use more empathy from their customers, after all. Exhibit is open through Feb. 16, 2019, at the Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second St. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 student adults, $4 youth 7 to 17. Free for kids 6 and under, veterans and museum members. Details here.

Meadowbrook Holiday Hayrides. Are you dreaming of a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow this Holiday season? Well we may not have a chance of snow here in Tucson, but you can swap the sleigh for hay and enjoy the magic from a mule-drawn hay ride through the Meadowbrook subdivision. Jingle all the way while looking at holiday decorations and enjoy hot chocolate around a campfire to finish off the night. Tickets are $15 per person. Details here.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

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

Happy Hour Hobble at Caps & Corks. Caps & Corks is celebrating their final "Happy Hour Hobble" of the year. What does this mean? It means they're getting together to run a "fun" three miles, and then are hanging out after to get some drinks and food. If you ever feel guilty about loading up with a few too many calories at a brewery, this is the event for you. Check-in begins at 5:30, beers at 6:30. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. 3830 W. River Road. Details here.

Breakfast & Brunch with Desert Island Eatery and Love In A Cup. Desert Island Eatery is hosting a selection of vegan meals, plus teas created by Tiffany from Love In A Cup. Sure, it's a little difficult to cultivate a lush backyard in the Sonoran desert, so have the closest thing you can to a garden party at Desert Island Eatery. RSVP with [email protected]. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. 2513 N. Campbell Ave. Details here.

Civano December Food Truck Roundup. What a magical city and time we live in: a whole fleet of local food trucks converge for wondrous smorgasbords, and you're invited! At this round up: Fiesta Filipina, Meatball Madness, The Curry Pot, Pasha Kebab and Grill, Jackie's Food Court, Tacoqueta, Don Pedro's Peruvian Bistro, Hott Bunns and more! 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Civano Park, 5241 Richard Ashley Way. Details here.

Lessons & Carols by Candlelight. True Concord works hard every year to put on a holiday show that will leave you with a warm glow inside. There's going to be the glimmer of candlelight. There's going to be some of the most nostalgia-inducing Christmas tunes around. There's going to be organs and harps. And it's all going to go down in some of the prettiest churches in town. A mid-December meditative moment is probably just what you need to remember what this season is really all about. 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, at St. Francis in the Valley Episcopal Church, 1902, 600 S. La Canada Drive, Green Valley. 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, at St. Philips in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road. $25 to $40. Details here.

Carols of Triumphant Joy! The Arizona Repertory Singers have been performing both classic and new music since 1984, and they've always made sounding great a priority: Their singers, who work as everything from lawyers to engineers to artists, all go through a rigorous audition process. At their holiday show, you'll hear brand new choral music by Thomas Juneau, as well as Jonathan Dove's "Seek him that maketh the seven stars." They'll also be delivering some seasonal faves like "Lo, how a rose e'er blooming" and "What sweeter music" by John Rutter. Let's hear it for some holiday high notes! 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, at Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Road. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Details here.

Messiah Symphony. If you think you don't know Handel's Messiah, you're probably at least partially wrong. Because that's where the incredibly famous Hallelujah chorus came from. And hearing this pulse-pounding masterpiece in Arizona's most outstanding acoustical venue is something everyone should experience at least once. Bruce Chamberlain conducts, Kathryn Mueller is soprano, Sarah Barber is alto, Richard Trey Smagur is tenor and Troy Cook is baritone. Last year's performance sold out, so grab your tickets fast! 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive. $22 to $55. Details here.

Tucson Boys Chorus Holiday Concert. If you've seen the classic Christmas short film The Snowman, then you know there's an irresistibly Christmasy charm to the sound of a young boy's choral singing. Well, your halls are about to get seriously decked, because this concert is bringing together all of Boys Chorus choirs (Cadet, Training, TowneSingers, Touring, Young Men's Ensemble, Vail Voices, Sahuarita Singers and Northwest Voices) to all perform together. Spend a peaceful afternoon listening to some holiday classics, and maybe even tearing up a little bit. (We won't tell.) 2 and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16. UA Crowder Hall, 1017 N Olive Road. $20 premium seating, $15 GA, $8 for kids under 12. Details here.

Christmas in America. This touring show full of song, dance and traditional Irish tales is in its 14th year now, so if you were waiting for the run to get past that unlucky Year 13, now's your chance. Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada is producing the show, and this year's tour features special guest singer Niamh Farrell, West Kerry singer Séamus Begley and Irish dancing by Samantha Harvey. With names like that, you know the show is authentic! Let these artists and the sounds of the fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp bring you stories about some of Ireland's rich historical traditions this holiday season. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Gregory School Auditorium, 3231 N. Craycroft Road. $23 to $25. Details here.

Mister Bing's Happy Holidays Supper Club. Let's take a step back to yesteryear for the evening. To a time when dinner came with a side of sophisticated cabaret entertainment. To a time when meals were so artfully composed that they were a part of the performance themselves. This night full of fine dining features vocalists Brian Lavario, Crystal Stark and Katherine Byrnes, as well as a spotlight on show club dancing and performances by magicians Norm Marina and Steve Ehlers. On the menu: a strawberry salad, a choice of tiger prawns or chicken breast, and a white velvet cake with peppermint buttercream. Cocktail dance hour at 5 p.m., dinner at 5:45 and show at 6:45. Sunday, Dec. 16. Hacienda del Sol, 5501 N Hacienda del Sol Road. $39 for show only or $99 for show and dinner (including tax & tip). Details here.

A Southwest Nutcracker. Even the most die-hard Nutcracker fans have got to admit that the ballet sure gets put on a lot. Of course, there's a reason for that: It's a fantastic ballet that people love. But it's also what makes the Tucson Regional Ballet's take on the show so refreshing. The show takes place in Tucson in the 1800s! We're talking coyotes, rattlesnakes and a full cavalry. Professionally designed sets, gorgeous costumes, live music by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and (obviously) impressive dancing make this a show you don't want to miss. The fact that there's a character called the Prickly Pear Fairy means it's a show you really can't miss in good conscience. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. $26 to $38. Details here.

A Come Unity Sing. If you've never heard of The Little Chapel of All Nations, it's a delightful concept. It's a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization founded 60 years ago by a Tucson writer and feminist named Ada Peirce McCormick. It exists to give your soul a break from the craziness of everyday life, and to help you find your way to your own beliefs. At their come-unity/community sing events, all are welcome to come together and sing: old songs, new songs, some the size of your head. You don't need an instrument, any singing experience or to stay for the whole event. But if you just need a break, this might be the event for you. Come enjoy some snacks and make some light. 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Little Chapel of All Nations Library, 1401 E. First St. Free. Details here.

Holiday Express at the Historic Depot. There's something inexplicably Christmas-y about trains. Maybe it's because both Christmas and trains make us feel nostalgic for simpler times. Maybe it's because "There's a train here" rhymes with "There's a reindeer." Maybe it's just because of The Polar Express. Anyway, head over to the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum for their 14th annual holiday event. Take a picture with Santa, write a letter to him with more detail about exactly what you want, and sing some holiday music. Plus, an arts and crafts show, a live reading of The Polar Express, and chances to check out the museum exhibits and gift show. You can even climb into the cab of steam Locomotive 1673! 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Historic AMTRAK Tucson Train Depot, 400 N. Toole Ave. Free. Details here.

OV Friday FUNDays at the Children's Museum. Sure, it's the winter season, and the holiday season. But it's also that year-round season of "the time of year where we need to find something fun to do with the kids." Luckily, the Children's Museum Oro Valley is hosting Friday morning and afternoon events with special guests through Jan. 4. This week, the UA Museum of Art Sprouts Program, a story time and art-making event, is on deck to keep little ones entertained! And stay tuned for the other Friday events, for which times vary: a holiday party, a face painting and a presentation by the Planetary Science Institute. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. Oro Valley Children's Museum, 11015 N. Oracle Road. $6, or free for infants younger than 1. Details here.

Mercado Holiday Bazaar. If you've been holding out on your holiday shopping because you want to get your loved ones something really, really good this year, it's time to head over to the Mercado District, where they'll have plenty of goods that are really, really good. More than 60 makers, artists and collectors will be around at this family-friendly holiday shopping event, so you'll have an array of options. And, hey, while you're there, you might just spot the perfect item to reward yourself for getting some holiday shopping done. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Mercado District, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. Details here.


24th Annual Parade of Lights & Festival Downtown. It's hard not to be in the holiday spirit when you spend the day buying gifts for loved ones and visiting local restaurants and museums, only to cap it off with a parade of floats, twinkly light-adorned Baile Folklorico dancers, marching mariachis and parading pups. So if you're still not in the holiday spirit by mid-December, this is just what the doctor ordered. (If you are in the holiday spirit, it is still just what the doctor ordered). Over in Jacome Plaza, there's going to be live entertainment, tons of food and even snow! Magic all around. And Pima Community College is sponsoring free Tucson Streetcar rides all day long! Festival in the plaza begins at 3 p.m. and parade beings at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Parade starts at the intersection of Church Avenue and Alameda Street and winds through downtown. Free. Details here.

Christmas Tree Ornaments in the Garden. One of the coolest and most underrated things about nature is that it's constantly supplying us with art. And we don't just mean the inspiration to make art, because nature is so beautiful (though that's of course true, too). We mean literally supplying us with the supplies to make art. For example, at this event at Mission Garden, you'll be making ornaments out of materials like dried devil's claw pods, okra pods and painted dipper gourds. What a perfect gift for a nature lover, and a lovely addition to any tree! 9 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Dec. 15. Mission Gardens, 946 W Mission Lane. Free. Details here.

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Mariachis and Tequila. To warm up on these winter evenings, Nana's Kitchen is pouring tequila and inviting the mariachis to play. Featuring Mi Campo tequila and giveaways! If eggnog just isn't doing it for you, this event is sure to get you festive and moving. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. 8225 N. Courtney Page Way. Details here.

Holiday Puppet Show: Fun Frosty & Friends. If there's anything more kid-friendly than the spirit of the whole holiday season, it's puppet shows! Dreams will come true for holiday-loving little ones when they get to see this show featuring Frosty, Santa, the Grinch, reindeers and elves. Midtown Mercantile Merchants and The Junk Society #138 are hosting this event, which will feature refreshments for the body as well as the puppet show, which many consider a type of refreshment for the soul. Call 777-7275 to reserve a spot. 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Midtown Mercantile Merchants, 4443 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details here.

Chateau Chateau. Describing themselves as a "riff-playing, synth-loving indie-pop band from Tucson, AZ," Chateau Chateau certainly hits the nail on the head. However, they do themselves the injustice of not commenting on their lyrics. Their debut single "Crisis Party" features bumping synths like bubblegum popping and the jerky guitars you'd expect out of a quirky, summertime anthem, but there is poetic depth as well. "How can it be that everyday and everything's changin' / blame it on me at last you'll see that nothin's worth savin'," sings vocalist Blake Milliser. Applause is due to the band who can get a crowd cheerfully hopping and singing along to a mental collapse.See Chateau Chateau's holiday party at Club Congress. w/ Spider Cider and Crooked Saintz. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Free. 21+. Details here.

Dieselboy (aka Damian Higgins) has been the most technically precise drum and bass DJ for 20 years straight. Dude's a live sensation—his vinyl beat matching is peerless and he can create cinematic four deck mixes on the fly. In the rare category of DJs who own labels (Human Imprint), played the big three fests—Bassrush, Bonnaroo and EDC—and toured internationally, Higgins secured his place atop the sonic chain in EDM's evolution. His sets, often sci-fi or post-apocalyptic in theme, weave past greats in dubstep, electro and trap into mad blends that please both ravers and metalheads. (He's toured with both Moby and Disturbed!) Ably named "The Destroyer" for his soul-crushing breaks, Higgins aims for sonic mind-fuck of "heaven crashing into hell." Intelligent and self-aware, his intro to "Wake the Dead" is a thinly veiled reference to death of the art of DJing. So meta! Friday, Dec. 14, 191 Toole. Doors at 10 p.m. $12. Details here.

Decker channels his surroundings into music. This psych folk singer-songwriter from Sedona, Decker has tripped the mystic fantastic through red rock country, unironically opening his heart to the cycle of life—from the death of his beloved grandmother to the birth of his son, on his brand new album, Born to Wake Up. From the invocation to the outro, Decker orchestrates a John Cage-like symphony of chirping, howling, and native chant that forms a desert wall of sound to underscore his plainspoken, Tom Petty-inspired melodies. And it works! Tackling topics like Eden without pretension, Decker muses, "I like it better when you still pretended you were whole." His clang-jangle guitars insert meditative breaks between verses and recall The Church. "Burnin Grass" sends up anyone seeking answers in nature, while the innocently inspired title tune is gentle list song for his newborn, "You were born to move mountains/You were born to save." With Tucson's mighty Carlos Arzate & the Kind Souls, and Keli Carpenter. Friday, Dec.14, Club Congress, 311 East Congress St., $5. 21+. Details here.

Fill the Streetcar With Toys. Ramon's Miracle on 31st Street, the local grassroots charity that provides holiday kindness and cheer to disadvantaged children in the Tucson area, has its 48th annual Christmas celebration coming up. They're expecting more than 15,000 children to attend the celebration, and the idea is for them each to leave with a new toy in hand. The Regional Transportation Authority is trying to collect 1,200 toys, filling the streetcar up with tokens of goodwill. You're probably out Christmas shopping anyway, so, while you're at it, just bring a new, unwrapped toy over to the streetcar, just west of Fourth Avenue on Eighth Street downtown. The easy curbside drop-off is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 14, but you can also stick around to see Santa, performances by local school music groups and a life-size pink Barbie jeep.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

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

Tucson’s longest-running
alternative stand-up comedy show celebrates its third anniversary this month.

On Dec. 17, from 8 to 10 p.m., Brew Ha-Ha marks three years of third-Monday showcases at Borderlands Brewery.

The shows feature emerging and professional Tucson comedians and regional or national touring comedians with open dates on their travel schedules.

The lineup for the anniversary show includes three of the Tucson comedy scene’s favorite Phoenix-area comics, Adam Bathe, Mike Enders and Leslie Barton, plus nationally known Tucson comedians Kristine Levine and, as headliner, Pauly Casillas.

Popular local Matt Ziemak originated the Brew Ha-Ha concept with Borderlands co-owner Mike Mallozzi.

“A lot of comedians in our scene were growing and getting better but had no place to really show it,” says Ziemak, “so we wanted to give our friends a place to get even better. When we brought Brew Ha-Ha to Borderlands, Mike was right on board with helping local scenes any way possible.”

Luckily, Mallozzi is a patient business owner. Asked what factors contributed to Brew Ha-Ha’s durability, he says it takes time for any ongoing show to gain traction. “My view on all recurring events is that you must really believe in them, and in the case of monthly events, give them the better part of a year.”

The patience paid off. “The show always got a good response,” says Ziemak, “but it seems like over the last year and a half, it has gained an audience of its own. Having familiar faces in the crowd each show is an amazing feeling. These people come out to see comics they might not know by name because they’ve been to our shows before.”

Over the past year comedian Rory Monserrat has partnered with Ziemak in producing and hosting the show. “I think consistency is the most important thing,” Monserrat says. “We make a show we want to see. I went to every Brew Ha-Ha because they were already the best independent shows in Tucson. A compliment that really stuck with me came from one of our Tucson colleagues when she said ‘This is a show by people who just really love stand-up comedy.’”

Like Brew Ha-Ha Comedy Showcase at Borderlands on Facebook for monthly updates. 

The Very Merry Holiday Sing-A-long Spectacular. Get your holiday spirit in high gear at the Loft Cinema with a sing-along series including clips from movies, T.V. shows and music videos. When else will you get the chance to sing with Lady Gaga, Michael Bublé, Nat King Cole, ’NSYNC, Kelly Clarkson, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, The Grinch and more? Admission includes a “Very Merry Goodie Bag” filled with props, and if you bring a new unwrapped toy for donating to Casa de los Niños, you will receive half-off admission. 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $12 GA, $10 for members and children under 10. Details here.

Reel Tucson Christmas. The Screening Room and Strada Company are teaming up to host a local short film festival, and it’s holiday themed! The evening is only five dollars, and for those daring, it’s free to enter your film. And to the joy of Tucson filmmakers who’ve submitted their pieces to other local short film festivals, this one is “gong free.” Send films to [email protected]. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. 127 E. Congress St. $5. Details here.

Holiday Ride to Winterhaven. If you are looking to burn off a few holiday cookies or just love riding your bike, join this group of cyclists on their ride to Winterhaven. Parking can be a Nightmare before Christmas so avoid the holiday hassle and take two wheels! Tugo Bike Share along with Living Street Alliance is hosting the ride which will start at 5:30 p.m. at Time Market. Riders will then bike four miles to Danny's Baboquivari Lounge where they can park and indulge in a holiday beverage to keep themselves warm. From there, riders can walk through the winter wonderland of lights better known in these parts as Winterhaven. The event is free, although Winterhaven organizers ask that you bring a non-perishable food item for the Community Food Bank. Details here.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Roadrunners vs. Eagles. If you missed the aviary showdown last night, don't fear! There's another night of ice hockey in the Old Pueblo tonight. The Tucson Roadrunners face off against the Colorado Eagles at 12-12 Night, where sides and end seats are both just $12. And hey, the cheaper the seats, the more money you have for food and drinks! Sometimes in the midst of the stressful holidays, or even in the midst of finals week if you’re a student, you don’t want winter peace and holiday good cheer—you need to watch a good old-fashioned ice hockey fight. 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $10 to $61+. Details here.

Casa de los Niños Toy Drive at Club Congress. When you think of collecting toys for children, you might not automatically think of a night of live music at Club Congress at the same time. But, for one night only, these two great things are coming together! Elyzian, Douglas Beat Market, and The Electric Delirium are playing and you can get in for either $5 or a new, unwrapped toy. Help make the holidays a little brighter this season for a local child in need while spending a night out on the town. Sounds like a win-win to us! The event is 21+. Hotel Congress, 311 Congress St. Details here.

Uranium Mining Film Festival. Our local chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility is hosting a short film series on—you guessed it—uranium mining. The short films include: Too Precious to Mine, Half-Life and Crying Earth Rise Up. These films tell the story of the “resistance largely on Native American lands to uranium extraction industries.” This event is free and also includes panel discussions by filmmakers. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. 525 N. Bonita Ave. Free (donations accepted). Details here. 

FST! Female Storytellers. "Rebel, Rebel" is the theme of the show this week, and make the most of it because this is the last ever Female Story Tellers at CANS Venue & Lounge! CANS recently announced they will be closing their doors for good Jan. 1. Described in Female Story Tellers' Best of Tucson win, "Tucson has a few great, regular storytelling events, but there's something about honoring and holding space for women brave enough to take the stage and talk about their challenges, traumas and triumphs that just inspires you to own your shit and face life head on." That about sums it up. All ages welcome, 18+ recommended. Details here.

Wee Winter Wonderland.  Each holiday season, the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures transforms itself into the littlest holiday wonderland around. This means not only decorating the lobby and galleries, but decorating more than a dozen of the miniature fixtures from the permanent collection. The scenes will be decorated to match the style and era that the miniature is depicting, which means twinkly light-strung cacti in the Southwest miniature, Hanukkah decorations in the Kupjack Georgian Dining Room, bamboo and pine decorations for Japanese New Year (aka Shogatsu) and a very traditional Christmas look in the German dollhouse. Happy teeny-tiny holidays! Through Sunday, Jan. 6. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive. $9 GA, $8 senior, $6 students/youth 4 to 17 and free for kids 3 and under. Details Here.

Tucson Village Farm Holiday Market. A trip to the Tucson Village Farm, the urban farm centered around teaching young people to grow and prepare their own fresh food, is always a pleasure. But a trip to the farm when there’s an artisan fair going on, full of gifts hand-crafted by Tucsonans and delicious seasonal food and drink, is a little slice of holiday heaven. If getting holiday shopping done is more of an obligation than a delight for you, take solace in the fact that you can make marshmallows over a bonfire and sip on hot cocoa after you shop. 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. Tucson Village Farm, 4210 N. Campbell Ave. Free. Details here.

Kids Craft Night at Chick-fil-A on Oracle Road. The restaurant will be providing supplies for children to decorate ornaments for this unique event. If you dine in, each child receives one ornament to decorate for free. Also, for any adult meal purchased, receive a free four nugget kids’ meal. “Just show up with holiday spirit.” 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. 4585 N. Oracle Road. Details here.

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Patronato’s Christmas at San Xavier. More than two decades ago, Linda Ronstadt headlined at a concert to raise funds for Patronato, a local nonprofit dedicated to restoring and preserving Mission San Xavier. Today, that concert is a much-loved tradition that rings in the holiday season for Tucsonans. The Sons of Orpheus and the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus will both be performing, and the Dec. 10 performance will also feature the Tucson Girls Chorus and some other special guests. The Monday evening show begins with a 5 p.m. reception at the Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St., before the 7 p.m. show, and tickets are $250. The regular performances are at 6 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, through Thursday, Dec. 13, at San Xavier Mission, 1950 W. San Xavier Road, and tickets are $100 to $125. Details here.

Roadrunners vs. Eagles. The Tucson Roadrunners face off against another aviary team in two home games this week in these games against the Colorado Eagles. Tuesday night is Finals Break and Wednesday night is 12-12 Night, where sides and ends seats are both just $12. And hey, the cheaper the seats, the more money you have for food and drinks. Sometimes in the midst of the stressful holidays, or even in the midst of finals week, if you’re a student, you don’t want winter peace and holiday good cheer—you need to watch a good old-fashioned ice hockey fight. 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, and Wednesday, Dec. 12. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $10 to $61+. Details here.

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Courtesy Arizona Opera

Joyeux Noel. Based on an actual truce that occurred during Christmas in WWI, this film opera (translated to “Merry Christmas”) examines the lives of the French and German soldiers who put down their guns one December to celebrate brotherhood in the midst of warfare. Hosted by Arizona Opera, this showing at The Screening Room features the voices of “two of today’s leading opera stars,” Natalie Dessay and Rolando Villazón. 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. 127 E. Congress St. $10. Details here. 

Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas. Wait, you mean to tell me in some parts of the world there’s a half-goat, half-demon spirit named Krampus that accompanies Santa Claus and punishes bad children on Christmas? If you’d like to learn more about the spooky customs of ye olde Christmas, head over to the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Arts’ ArtNow! with Al Ridenour. They’ll be examining movies, television shows and advertisements that show how the holiday isn’t exactly what you think it is. 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. 265 S. Church Ave. $10. Details here.

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Courtesy Photo

Ramirez

Ramirez. What if gangsta rap turned Biblical? If every murder was a Slay, every horse White and every drive-by an epic showdown of good and evil? The answers await in Ramirez’s imaginative and sardonic album, Judgement Day: Revelations. With Kendricks’ ethereal production, archangels swirl around Ramirez’s rhythm and flow, which recalls Bone Thugs. It’s an aural comic book, an alternative reality reminiscent of the very best Bay Area concept albums (sorta like Deltron 30/30 or Doctor Octagon). Hard enough to be a true contender for best new gangsta emcee, Ramirez dishes artfully penned rages like “the devil’s comin’ end of the day” atop Kendrick’s dark melodic nightmares, which stand up to any trap out there. Since they hail from the mighty S.F., they dare shoot the moon, creating a record that feels like an astute homage and send-up of both genres at once. This is Revelations, the Biblical chapter that adds up to nothing, but takes the listener down a thousand rabbit holes, each track a riddle. With Young Davon, Ray Colfaxx and RJ. Tuesday, Dec. 11. 191 Toole. Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. $20. All ages. Details here.

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Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.