Posted By TW's Fun & Games Desk on Wed, Aug 15, 2018 at 1:00 AM

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University of Arizona School of Art

Untitled (Corridor)

Untitled (Corridor). This week is your last chance to see this art installation at the UA Museum of Art, and the perfect chance to go to the closing reception. Untitled (Corridor) is an installation of cement bricks made from sand and debris from specific coordinates in Tucson—coordinates that have witnessed the deaths of migrant bodies. This hard-hitting exhibit takes displaced materials and makes them not into units of construction, but into meditations on the cause of migrant death and disappearance. Artist Karlito Miller Espinosa was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, and is an MFA candidate at UA. His work has been exhibited in several countries, including the Tucson Museum of Art’s 2018 Arizona Biennial exhibit. Visible 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day through Wednesday, Aug. 15. Closing reception is 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15. University of Arizona School of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road. Free. Details here.

Primavera Cooks! at Tavolino Ristorante Italiano. Head over to Tavolino Ristorante Italiano for a wine-paired gourmet dinner with Primavera Cooks! Dine on the restaurant’s classic Italian fare at the nonprofit fundraising dinner, part of the 17th season of Primavera Cooks! 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15. 2890 E. Skyline Drive. Make reservations through Primavera at 520-308-3104. $125 per person. Details here.

YWCA STAT Ballot Party. When was the last time heading to the polls made you feel like you were at a party? Maybe don’t answer that. The point is, voting is such an important and cool right, and we should definitely exercise it. So bring your ballot! Bring a friend! And dress up as your favorite patriot, revolutionary, rebel or politico for the chance to win a prize, if you want! This nonpartisan evening features music and nosh, with some special speakers (again, it’s nonpartisan, so don’t worry. And in fact, make sure you’re not trying to do any campaigning while you’re there). The Pima County Recorder’s Office will be on hand to collect your ballots for the 2018 primary. Voters, start your engines! 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15. The Dusty Monk Pub, 201 N. Court Ave. Free. Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

Tags: things to do , events , fun in Tucson , Wednesday , August 15 , family , fun , vote , party , art , Image

Posted By TW's Fun & Games Desk on Tue, Aug 14, 2018 at 1:00 AM

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Spelling Bee[r]. Haunted by that time you accidentally spelled “machine” as “mashin” in the third grade spelling bee? No? Just me? Well, whatever the case may be, relive your grade school days and head to Tap & Bottle to put your spelling skills to the test in a free spelling bee. Winner takes home a trophy and gift certificates to Tap & Bottle. If you mess up on “machine” again, no worries; there’s always beer! The Blacktop Grill will be there ready to refuel spellers. Signup at 6:30 p.m.; the bee starts 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14. 403 N. Sixth Ave. Details here.

Eating Animals. The ironic thing here: This documentary will probably make you not want to eat animals. Who’d’ve guessed? Based on the book by Jonathan Safran Foer and narrated by Natalie Portman, this film shows the story of farming from its household roots to its perversion into the factory farming we have today. It also spotlights farmers who have pushed backed against industrial agriculture with more humane and sustainable practices. 7:30 to 9:15 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 14. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices. Details here.

Geeks Who Drink. It's time to get geeky! Did you know that Geeks Who Drink can be found at over 300 bars and restaurants across 25 states? Pretty cool huh? Join your local geeks at this week's Hotel Congress installation of the ever-popular trivia game. Find your sweet spot of just enough beer to make you good at trivia starting at 8 p.m. on the Hotel Congress plaza.  Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

Tags: beer , events , Tuesday , games , trivia , contest , things to do , Tuesday night , August 14 , Image

Posted By Jeff Gardner on Mon, Aug 13, 2018 at 2:28 PM

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PAC Dance Team

After passing through every round of preliminaries, Walden Grove High School’s PAC Dance Team will appear on the live broadcast of America’s Got Talent. The episode will play at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, on NBC.

On their Facebook page, PAC Dance Team posted:

THIS TUESDAY NIGHT IS OUR LIVE SHOW EPISODE!!! 🎉🎉 Tune in to #AGT this Tuesday night to watch us dance on the BIGGEST STAGE OF OUR LIVES! And VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!!!! 

There will be three weeks of quarterfinals every Tuesday and Wednesday from August 14 to 29. During every week, 12 acts will perform, ultimately resulting in seven making it through to the semi-finals.

If they receive enough votes from viewers, PAC Dance Team will move on to the semi-finals, which will air live from Sept. 4 to 12. And beyond that, possibly to the final rounds. Only five acts make it to the finals, which will air live Sept. 18 and Sept. 19.

The Sahuarita dance team made it to onto America’s Got Talent after performing a hip-hop dance version of the Wizard Of Oz. The dance routine first gained attention last October when a video of the performance at a homecoming assembly was posted to YouTube and received nearly 3 million views.

For more information, and to cast votes, click here. 

Tags: America's Got Talent , AGT , local , dance team , PAC , Sahuarita , dance , talent , vote , Image

Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Mon, Aug 13, 2018 at 1:00 AM

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Tucson CARES

Quiz for a Cause. Show off your trivia skills in the name of helping animals. Lead your team through eight rounds of trivia—ranging in subject—hosted by Natasha Noir of Tucson C.A.R.E.S. The contest raises funds for the organization’s work in animal rescues. During the rounds, snack  on vegan treats from the on-site vegan bake sale and sip on brews from Public Brewhouse. 8 to 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13. 209 N. Hoff Ave. $5 per person to play. Details here.

Speed Dating. Sick of blind dates, online dating or trying to find time to meet people after a long day at work? Arizona Singles and the Playground Bar & Lounge are partnering to put on this event for all single professionals in their 20s and 30s. And why not try it? Think about it: No information is exchanged unless you request it, you meet tons of people you’d never normally run into, and you get to meet people in person so you can more effectively determine whether you have a connection—and if you don’t, you’re not stuck in an awkward date for the whole night. Really, the worst that could happen is you’ll end up with a funny story. As far as the best case scenario? The sky’s the limit! 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13. Playground Bar & Lounge, 278 E. Congress St. $32, but save $5 with the code TUCFB. Details here.

Mondo Mondays. Head over to The Loft tonight to see the next installment of their College Cut-Ups month theme with Pledge Night. This spooky school film pitches frat boys against a supernatural killer. According to The Loft, this film includes pointless sex and nudity, and the world's oldest stripper. How could you let that pass you by? Admission is $3, or $2 for Loft members. The show starts at 8 p.m. Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

Tags: things to do , Tucson , Monday , events , fun , Image

Posted By Linda Ray on Fri, Aug 10, 2018 at 4:30 PM

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Andy Gold

Comedians Andy Gold and Kurtis Matthews perform in The Addicts Comedy Tour at the JCC on Aug. 16

It’s not funny at all, per se, and it’s almost certainly the world’s worst career choice, but years of addiction have made comedy stars of Kurtis Matthews and Andy Gold … now that they’re in recovery.

The pair perform as the Addicts Comedy Tour at 8 p.m., Thursday, August 16, at the Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Rd. Tickets are $20 ($12 for groups of 10), at Eventbrite.com.

Gold recently told The Phoenix Entertainer, “I started doing comedy maybe six months after I got clean, and my whole existence at that time was not using one day at a time.”

For addicts, and their relatives, co-dependents and friends who can relate to that, the JCC show offers a rare opportunity to laugh with recognition, insight and occasionally compassion for their addict’s struggles. For comedy fans and everyone else, it’s just plain funny.

Matthews has toured nationally and internationally since 1984 when a second DUI inspired him to give up alcohol and drug abuse. In 1999, he founded the San Francisco Comedy College, the most popular standup comedy school in the US.

Andy Gold is a favorite at treatment centers and in recovery groups, as well as in comedy festivals and competitions all over the U.S. He began his comedy career in Salt Lake City just six months after a nearly fatal overdose.

Epic Roast Battle

Rich Gary hosts a comedy battle among Tucson comics from 7 to 10 p.m., Friday, August 17, at Epic Café; free.

Reigning champion Roxy Merrari, host of Monday night Comedy at the Wench, defends her title against 15 contenders, tournament style. Judges are Mo Urban, Clint Lapsansky and Collin Chomiak.

Contestants include Steena Salido, John Hernandez, Drake Horner, Paul Fox, Kathie Hedrick, Autumn Horvat, Eli Turner, Dominic DiTolla, Joel Martin, Jesse Andrews, Darryl Graves, Phillip Showers, Sam Racioppo, Julian Moreno and Tony Kanani-Bruhn.

Comedy returns to the Screening Room

The Screening Room Presents Comedy Night at 9 p.m., Wednesday, August 15. Marcus Gallegos hosts and Matt Ziemak headlines. Rounding out the bill are Charles Ludwig, Eden Nault, Cindell Hanson, Andrew Scott and Randy Ford. Doors are at 8:30 and the show is free.

The comedy revival at The Screening Room follows a hiatus in programming as the theatre transferred to new owners. The theater’s previous incarnation supported at least two comedy shows weekly, including a Tuesday night standup open mike and a Friday night comedy variety show that mixed standup acts and teams from local improv companies.

Tags: Marcus Gallegos , Matt Ziemak , Charles Ludwig , Eden Nault , Cindell Hanson , Andrew Scott , Randy Ford , Steena Salido , John Hernandez , Drake Horner , Paul Fox , Kathie Hedrick , Autumn Horvat , Eli Turner , Dominic DiTolla , Joel Martin , Jesse Andrews , Darryl Graves , Phillip Showers , Sam Racioppo , Julian Moreno , Tony Kanani-Bruhn , Andy Gold , Kurtis Matthews , Addicts Comedy , Rich Gary , Roxy Merrari , Tucson Jewish Community Center , The J , Image

Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Fri, Aug 10, 2018 at 1:00 AM

Friday, August 10

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World Margarita Championship.This SAACA-presented event pits Tucson Originals cocktail creators against each other in a throwdown for the People’s Choice award for the Best Signature Margarita. Along with watching the contest, attendees can sample margaritas, tequilas and Southwestern snacks. Try your luck with raffles for gift cards and gift baskets. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10. El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Road. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased at saaca.thundertix.com. 21+ event. Details here.

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Joe Peña Record Release Party. Head to Club Congress to celebrate the release of Joe Peña's new album, Dust of Our Love. Although this is Peña's debut solo release, his musical history begins far from this album. And if you've been paying any attention to Tucson's music scene over the past few decades, you'd already know that. Peña sings and plays guitar for Greyhound Soul, a local desert rock band that has consistently released records since the mid-90s. Peña will be celebrating with Miss Olivia and the Interlopers at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St.; $5. 21+. Details here.

The 3rd Beats ft. Harold Team Omega. The Tucson Improv Movement’s finest hip-hop improv team is taking to the stage to drop some sick beats, dope rhymes and—of course—fresh improv. But first, to open! Harold Team Omega just needs ONE audience suggestion, and then they’ll run with it. What will they do with it? No one knows? But we do know that anyone who’s anyone—and anyone who knows anything about hip hop—is going to be there. 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10. Tucson Improv Movement, 414. E. Ninth St. $5. Details here.

Free Nature Expo. The Southeast Arizona Birding Festival is in full swing, and here’s your reminder to stop by this totally free event full of fun, games, vendors and free talks. Even if you’re not into birding, how can you argue with that? Check out the Nestbox building workshop, or the short birding strolls around the DoubleTree of Reid Park grounds. Maybe you can get your binoculars cleaned, or do an owl pellet dissection. Or, if you’re kids, perhaps a face painting session or a story time with the Pima County Library children’s services is more up your alley. Free talks will offer up knowledge on everything from bats to moths to monsoons. There’s also a session for beginning birders, a talk about the role of citizen science in the Sonoran Desert and a reminder on how to bird safely in rattlesnake country. Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson–Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way. Free. Details here.

Karaoke Fridays at Espresso Art Café. When was the last time you did karaoke? If it was more than a month ago, what are you waiting for? The people of Tucson need you singing your hit, whether it’s “Billie Jean,” “Summertime” or “Baby Got Back.” Not too sure about it? Sure you are! You certainly will be after a few of the café’s signature drinks, like the Irish Maiden or the Muay Thai. Alternatively, you could enjoy some coffee, tea or hookah, and enjoy watching other people reach Friday night Nirvana as they belt out “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” 9 p.m. to midnight. Friday, Aug. 10. Espresso Art Café, 942 E. University Blvd. Free. Details here.

Tags: fun things to do , events , Tucson , weekend , Friday , shows , concerts , museums , food , Image

Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Thu, Aug 9, 2018 at 1:00 AM

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Home of the Brave Virtual 5K

Home of the Brave Virtual 5K Run/Walk – Tucson. Want to take part in a race that pays tribute to some of the men and women of our armed forces, but don’t want to get up early and make a drive? Here’s your chance. Register for this race online, then go do the run wherever and at whatever time you want. Or do a walk! It’s all up to you. Then submit your results online and earn a “Home of the Brave” finisher medal. You’ll also get an official race bib and your choice of Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard dog tags. A portion of your registration goes to the Catch a Lift Foundation, a group that helps post-9/11 combat wounded vets to recover and rehabilitate both physically and mentally. What’s not to love about this race? Thursday, Aug. 9 at whatever time and in whatever place you want. $29 to $52. Details here.

Long Neck (aka Lily Mastrodimos) writes unrequited love songs because the person she loves is dead. Her most recent LP, Will this Do?, is a musical attempt to continue living and make her lost love proud. Originally a lone singer/songwriter recording on an M Box, Lily's Dolores O' Riordan pipes and open-palmed honesty attracted a full rock band. Long Neck is now picking up where Hum left off 20 years ago, spinning sonic black stars of effects-rich guitar around Lily's plaintive vocals as she struggles to believe in something greater. "Counting stars and slowly speaking/But the stars were just truck lights on the ceiling." The deliberate choice to avoid sentimentality—be it the half-step down to deny chorus resolutions or the intentional lack of melody in favor of singular pitch—leads to unexpected gut punches by song's end. This is a band and an album of harnessed raw emotions, summoned and woven and ultimately hopeful, because with every grieving note, Lily is still very much alive. With Fern Mayo on Thursday, Aug. 9. Owl's Club, 236 S. Scott Ave. Doors at 6 p.m. Free. 21+. —B.S. Eliot Details here. 

Persona. Continuing their Bergman centennial, The Loft is screening the Scandinavian master's perhaps most cryptic piece. An actress inexplicably goes mute, and a nurse is tasked with helping her recovery. It's a seemingly simple tale, and at only 83 minutes, how densely layered can it be? I thought I was artsy and deep, and I'm still trying to figure this one out. But that doesn't mean I didn't have a great time watching it. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9. 3233 E Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices. Details here.


Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

Tags: things to do , Thursday , events , movies , shows , music , run , Image , Video

Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Wed, Aug 8, 2018 at 1:00 AM

Tags: things to do , fun in general , events , Tucson , Wednesday , August 8 , movies , job fair , wine , Image , Video

Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Tue, Aug 7, 2018 at 1:00 AM

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Cobra Arcade

Token Tuesdays at Cobra Arcade. If you haven't checked out the new arcade bar downtown, then you'd better hustle on over, so that you can play Streetfighter II while drinking a fancy, Donkey Kong-themed cocktail. And you might as well do it on a Tuesday, when they give out free tokens with every drink purchase. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m., and they promise there'll never be a cover. So stop in this Tuesday! Stop in every Tuesday! And kill some aliens/beat up some bad guys/stack some blocks/do whatever you gotta do. 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7. Cobra Arcade Bar, 63 E. Congress. Free entry.

Sad Baxter. Deezy and Alex are a pair of lifelong friends who dated and broke up and still play in a heavy sludge-pop band together. With phrasing lifted right off an early Hole or Veruca Salt (or Runaways) record, and guitar spliffs that get bigger and more vacuous with each passing reverberation, Sad Baxter is an angst-stunned band seeking catharsis through noise. They're trying to love the world even and especially when it blows. "I love you," spits from Deezy's mouth like, "You piss me off," would for most of us. Yet she continues to plead. Dig "Believe me," "Love Yew," and "Big One." From Nashville via Jersey, Sad Baxter mix the trash with the cosmopolitan, and would be at home supporting, say, Dandy Warhols. There's a deeply wound tightness that happens between the melody and rhythm, endless guitar loops and restrained drums that could only result from bffs. All the togetherness with none of the fucking. Therefore, angst. With Whispering Wires, Tuesday, Aug. 7. Café Passe, 415 N. Fourth Ave. 9 p.m., Free. All ages with parent or guardian. —B.S. Eliot

Geeks Who Drink. It's Tuesday in the Old Pueblo and that means it's time to put on your thinking cap and head over to Hotel Congress for a night of trivia and tasty beer. Plus, you might still stand a chance before all those smart university students are back for the semester. Trivia is free and beers are for sale as you enjoy the cooler evening temperatures on the patio at Hotel Congress. Trivia starts at 8 p.m. and the game will roll through eight rounds as you sip and think. Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

Tags: things to do , Tucson events , Tuesday , shows , events , concerts , fun , Image

Posted By TW Fun & Games Desk on Mon, Aug 6, 2018 at 1:00 AM

Mondo Mondays. With the start of a new month comes the start of a new theme of Mondo Mondays at The Loft. August is College Cut-Ups month so get ready to go back to school with grim and gore filled films. This week’s installment of higher education horror is “The House on Sorority Row” from 1983, featuring the sorority Theta Pi. Described by The Loft as, “a creepy campus slasher flick from the big-haired 80’s” is sure to be a good time. Monday, August 6 at The Loft. 8 p.m. $3 general admission, $2 Loft members. Details here.

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Tapestry, the Carole King Songbook. Get ready to feel like a Natural Woman. And get ready to do it in three-part harmony! Because Katherine Byrnes, Crystal Stark and Janée Page are joining forces to bring you some of this soul singer's greatest hits. Jeff Haskell, Ed Delucia, Fed Hayes and Ryan Alfred will be there to really get the earth moving under your feet as well. You've heard of the King of Queens, but the poster for this event says (brilliantly) "the Queens of King." And if that doesn't sound like a good time, then what does? 7 p.m. Monday Aug. 6. Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. $22.95 adult, $20.95 senior/student/military, $12.95 kids. Details here.

Burlesque Fitness. Have you always wanted to try out Burlesque? Are you looking for a unique way to work out? Then this class is for you! Floor Polish dance studio at 408 N 4th Avenue offers this one of a kind work out on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The class will help improve flexibility and strength while you listen to sexy and fun music. $6 per class. Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, BS Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

Tags: things to do , Monday events , movies , fun , Image