Make it Mondays! Mondays are a good a day as any to make something, right? This summer, head over to the Children’s Museum, where admission is just $3 per person every Monday through to Labor Day. They’ll also have special guests each day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This week, a visit from the Pima County Department of Natural Resources/Parks and Rec, who will be talking all about bats! Here are some bat facts to get you in the mood: Bats can eat their own body weight or more in insects each night. Apparently, some species can fly faster than 100 miles per hour! And, for those non-property owning, brunch-loving millennials: more than 300 species of fruit depend on bats for pollination, including bananas, agave and avocados. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 10. Children’s Museum Tucson 200 S. Sixth Ave. $3. Details here.

Boyz N the Hood. This film, which got late director John Singleton the first-ever Best Director Academy Award nomination for an African American artist, expertly captures the feel of South Central Los Angeles in the early ’90s. This screening is co-presented by The Tucson Black Film Club, featuring an introduction by Tani Sanchez, associate professor of the UA Department of Africana Studies. 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Monday, June 10. The Loft 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Details here.

Monsoon Safety Fair. While beautiful and dramatic, Tucson's summer monsoons can also be dangerous. Learn how to make sure you and your family stay safe this summer with experts from the National Weather Service. Not only will the event be educational, but activities and exhibits will make it fun for the entire family! 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard. Details here.

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

National Donut Day at 1912 Brewing. In celebration of this definitely real holiday, 1912 Brewing is teaming up with Irene’s Holy Donuts to deliver you some super-sweet food and drink pairings. Irene’s is making a specialty type of donut for this event, and 1912 is pairing it with a craft beer. This is a limited supply pairing, first come, first served! 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 7. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. Details here.

Family Funday at the Farmers Market at Trail Dust Town. To kick off the summer season, Trail Dust Town is hosting their First Friday Family Fundays. The morning features 15 local food vendors and family access to the Trail Dust Town carnival. This first event includes live music, a petting zoo and plenty of local foods. 8 a.m. to noon Friday June 7. 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road. Details here.

June Blind Wine Tasting. Maynards Market & Kitchen are kicking off each month of their Summer Wine Tasting series with a blind wine tasting. Contestants get to blindly try five wines and guess the varietals. If their choices are correct, they may win a bottle to take home. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 7. 400 N. Toole Ave. $12. Free entry to wine tastings for Maynards Wine Club members. Details here.

Tócalo Tucson–“On the Precipice.” The UA’s Fred Fox School of Music is putting on its second annual chamber percussion seminar, featuring guest artists like Bob Becker of the Steve Reich Ensemble, virtuoso vibraphonist Anders Åstrand and award-winning composer Matthew Burtner. Just some of the highlights? Four world premieres of brand-new chamber works for percussion from resident student composers, as well as solo keyboard percussion works by Becker and Åstrand. What a treat that you have a chance to see something like this in the Old Pueblo. What an even bigger treat that it’s free! 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 7. UA Crowder Hall, 1017 N. Olive Road. Free. Details here.

The Pima County Home & Garden Show. There’s no place like home. Especially when you get your home all decked out and beautified after attending a home show. And boy, is this home show going to deliver. Your landscaping, contracting, design, entertainment and remodeling dreams will all come true. Get new, energy-efficient windows and doors! Win a barbecue island! Look into solar panels, like you’ve been meaning to for years! Take a “how-to” seminar on anything from cooking to construction to finance. You’ll go home inspired. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. $8, or free for kids 16 and under. Details here.

Fantastic Planet. You might hear quite a few movies described as drug trips, but none do it quite so effectively as this bizarre French animation. The Loft Cinema is screening Fantastic Planet, a surreal storybook romp telling of a future where tiny humans battle against enormous blue aliens. Part Yellow Submarine, part War of the Worlds, this might just prove contact highs can transfer from celluloid to audience. 10 to 11:15 p.m. Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $8. Details here.


Mead Tasting at Arizona Beer House. Featuring drinks from Superstition Meadery and food from Culinary Graduate Food Truck, Arizona Beer House is hosting an evening of complimentary mead samples. Come on down and get your samples of honey wine! 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8. 150 S. Kolb Road. Details here.

2nd Saturdays Downtown. This monthly family-friendly event celebrates all things uniquely Tucson, and gathers them in a big downtown extravaganza. It features booths from local businesses and restaurants, as well as local musicians on stage and multiple food vendors. 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 8. 125 E. Congress Street. Details here.

Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. Your favorite museum of all things tiny has two special exhibits this summer. On display from June 4 to Sept. 15 is “Borrowed Time/Borrowed Books,” featuring six miniature libraries inspired by the libraries in All the Presidents Men, Fahrenheit 451, Wings of Desire, The Time Machine, The Breakfast Club and “Time Enough at Last” (that heartbreaking Twilight Zone episode about the guy with the glasses who works at a bank). And on display from June 4 all the way to May 31, 2020 is “Miniature Silver,” a collection of pieces that belonged to Helen Goodman Luria that date to as early as the 1600s. There are 150 pieces on display, some with specific functions, most just designed to delight. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive. $10.50 GA, $8.50 senior 65+/military, $7 student/youth 4 to 17, free for kids 3 and under. Details here.

Neon Words: 10 Brilliant Ways to Light Up Your Writing. Mage Pellegrino used to be a writer-in-residence at the Pima County Library. Now, she’s the author—along with Kay Sather—of this book, which the two wrote by getting together for coffee once a week for a decade and talking about the most effective writing tools they’ve used over the past 30 years. So if you’re looking for ways to improve your writing, this curated list is sure to be of some use! At this event, enjoy readings, a raffle, a short film, a make-and-take activity from the book and refreshments. (We’re talking mesquite cookies and prickly pear lemonade, so get there early!) 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Dusenberry-River Library, 5605 E. River Road. Free. Details here.

Tai Chi in the Garden. You’ve probably heard of Tai Chi, but you might not be totally clear on what exactly it is. It translates literally to “supreme ultimate boxing,” which, you gotta admit, is objectively cool as hell. It’s a form of internal Chinese martial art, which means it’s occupied with the spiritual and the mental more than the physical. Anyway, there’s your Tai Chi primer. Come try it out in the gorgeous setting of Mission Garden. Scott Risano leads classes, and beginners are welcome. Why not give it a shot? 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, June 8. Mission Garden: Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace, 946 W. Mission Lane. $10. Details here.

Cool Summer Nights at the Desert Museum: World Oceans Night. We sure don’t think of the Sonoran Desert as a place with lots of water. But technically, the Sea of Cortez is part of the Sonoran Desert. So an ocean-themed activity is warranted, right? Head to the Desert Museum to celebrate the sea with free sustainable seafood, kid-friendly activities from the Marine Awareness and Conservation Society and the Fin Foundation, and presentations from folks like Joellen Russell of the UA. You’ll learn about sharks, about how desert animals and ocean animals aren’t as different as you think and about climate change. And you’ll have fun the whole time! 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road. $21.95 GA, $19.95 seniors 65+, $8.95 for kids 3 to 12, free for kids under 3, $17.95 for active or retired military, $16.95 for Arizona/Sonora residents. Details here.

Summer Safari Saturday Nights. Tucson is a great city, but it’s pretty disappointing when summer rolls around and there’s no beach to go to. But wait! The Reid Park Zoo’s Saturday night program is offering the next-best thing, with sand, water, music by Shrimp Chaperone (there are shrimp at the beach sometimes, right? Festive!) and food from Rubio’s. While you cool down under the cover of evening, you can learn about how different animals, like otters, grizzly bear, alligator, tapir, elephants and ferrets enjoy water and mini-beaches in their habitats. Food and drink specials, games and keeper chats are there just like they are every week, too. Saturday, June 8. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Ct. $10.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $6.50 kids ages 2 to 14 and free for zoo members. Details here.

FC Tucson vs. Richmond Kickers. Let’s play some futbol! Or, as we Americans like to call it, for some reason, soccer! Actually, let’s just watch our local soccer club do it, because they’ll probably do a better job. Our home team is currently ranked fifth out of 10 among the teams in the United Soccer League (USL) League 1, with the Richmond Kickers at fourth, so this is a perfect opportunity for our players to work their way to the top. Win or lose, though, the team will be excited to see how many Tucsonans show up to cheer them on at this home game! 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Kino North Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way. $16. Details here.

Second Saturdays at Steam Pump Ranch. It’s time for the farmer’s market! Heirloom Farmers Market hangs out up in Oro Valley on Saturdays along the shared use path, and the first 20 people to roll up (or walk up) via the path get a $1 coupon to use at the market. What better form of motivation to get some exercise than free stuff? While you peruse the rows of vendors, the kids can hang out at the craft section, where they’ll be making a Fathers’ Day photo frame. 8 a.m. to noon. Saturday, June 8. Steam Pump Ranch, 1901 N. Oracle Road. Details here.

Tucson Cars and Coffee. There’s nothing like the hot weather to make you appreciate the air conditioning of your car. But hey, there’s lots more to appreciate about cars than that they keep you cool in Tucson. Some of them are real works of art! Obsessions Car Club’s event at La Encantada is the group’s Second Saturdays car show, held in the morning so we can beat the heat (and with coffee, so you can beat the sleep). This month’s featured cars are rat rods, roadsters, hot rods and T-buckets. Be there or be somewhere not as fun. 6 to 9 a.m. Saturday, June 8. La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr. Free. Details here.

Astronomy & Wine at Flying Leap Vineyards. If you’re looking to get out of town, or to a place where the stargazing is especially good, head about an hour southwest to the city of Elgin, where Flying Leap Vineyards is hosting a guided tour of the summer night sky. Chuck Dugan, a local astronomer and former Kitt Peak guide, will be leading the event and the gazing through 8- and 11-inch telescopes. Your ticket includes a glass of wine from the vineyard’s tasting bar as well as a dinner of fried chicken biscuits and potato salad/slaw provided by Chef Adam Puckle. Come see the Omega Centaurus, Jupiter and its moons, the Sombrero Galaxy, the Ring Nebula and more! 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Flying Leap Estate Winery, 342 Elgin Road. $54.95. Details here.

The Fifth Element. Casa Video Film Bar is screening this Bruce Willis spectacular, back by popular demand! This goofy and imaginative sci-fi adventure features more memorable gags and quips than it has any right to, which is probably one of the reasons it’s managed to stay in our cultural memory. Multipasses ahoy! 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8. 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details here.

Wild Relatives. When the Syrian Revolution turned Aleppo into a warzone, an international agricultural research center was forced to relocate to Lebanon. Part of this process included gathering seeds from the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a secure facility deep in the arctic which holds millions of seeds in case of a global catastrophe. The Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art is screening this documentary about the power of preservation. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 8. 265 S. Church Ave. Free. Details here.


Bite Me. The Screening Room hosts the one-night-only Tucson premiere of an independent feature film about a real-life vampire and the IRS agent who audits her. Part of the “Joyful Vampire Tour of America,” this screening includes a Q&A with the film’s writer and star. The Joyful Vampire Tour of America is a “three-month, 40+ city, RV-fueled event and screening tour” based around this film. 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 9. 127 E. Congress Street. $7. Details here.

Sayonara Day Party at La Cocina. While La Cocina is enchanting in the evenings, it can also be quite lively during the days. This party includes food by Desert Island Eatery, drinks by La Cocina and live music. Desert Island Eatery is celebrating the closing of their Campbell location and opening new doors in Phoenix. 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 9. 201 N. Court Ave. Family friendly.
Geronimo’s Revenge and Shifty’s Pop-Up Dinner. Chef Jeronimo Madril of Geronimo’s Revenge and Chef Matty Parsons of Shifty’s are getting together for a four-course night of food and drinks. Dishes include pork chop, roasted apricot, Forbes Al Pastor sausage, plus two special cocktails made to pair with the food. 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, June 11. 220 E. Broadway Blvd. $60. Details here.

Celebrating the Spectrum. Desert Voices, Arizona’s premier LGBTQ+ chorus (which celebrated 30 years last year!) is putting on their annual show to celebrate people and sexualities all across the spectrum. And they’ve invited some of their friends from other choruses, like the Reveille Men’s Chorus, the Phoenix Women’s Chorus, the Phoenix Men’s Chorus at the Youth Ensemble. Come hear some beautiful music (that couldn’t be made without a whole “spectrum” of notes) and watch these choruses raise their voices higher than ever in both solidarity and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Arizona Theatre Company, 330 S. Scott Ave. $20 in advance/$25 at the door. Details here.
BT2 Performance. Ballet Tucson’s youth company (and Tucson’s premier youth ballet) is closing out the season with this concert, featuring the pieces Paquita and Patchwork, as well as the premiere of Mozart Melange. They’ll plie, jete and pique across the stage, and you’ll be saying “hooray, hooray, hooray!” from the audience. Support local art, especially a kind that takes so much discipline to look so effortless. 2 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. University Blvd. $25 GA. Details here.

Celebrating the Spectrum. Desert Voices, Arizona’s premier LGBTQ+ chorus (which celebrated 30 years last year!) is putting on their annual show to celebrate people and sexualities all across the spectrum. And they’ve invited some of their friends from other choruses, like the Reveille Men’s Chorus, the Phoenix Women’s Chorus, the Phoenix Men’s Chorus at the Youth Ensemble. Come hear some beautiful music (that couldn’t be made without a whole “spectrum” of notes) and watch these choruses raise their voices higher than ever in both solidarity and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Arizona Theatre Company, 330 S. Scott Ave. $20 in advance/$25 at the door. Details here.

Second SundAZe Family Day at TMA. Are you familiar with Josef Albers? He was a designer, photographer, typographer and poet, but was probably best known for his geometric art pieces, like “Homage to the Square.” Take some inspiration from Albers at this event and explore ideas of color, minimalism and geometric abstraction through printmaking with recycled materials and making collages using squares. You’ll also have a chance to learn more about the man behind the work and take a family-focused tour of TMA’s exhibit “Learning to See: Josef Albers” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Ave. Free. Details here.

Tucson Pops! This outdoor summer music event continues, this week with guest conductor Toru Tagawa, the artistic director and conductor of the Sierra Vista Symphony and the current president of the American String Teachers Association of Arizona. He joined his fist philharmonic orchestra at age 9, so he knows what he’s doing. Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo, a 17-piece band made up of high school students from Pueblo Magnet High School and specializing in authentic mariachi, is also performing songs like 'El son de la negra' and 'La Virgen de la Macarena.' Also on the schedule: The Barber of Seville Overture, selections from West Side Story and music from Pirates of the Caribbean. 7 p.m. Sunday, June 9. DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way. Free. Details here.

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

Odyssey Storytelling Presents: Dissent. You most often hear the word “dissent” in a legal context, but all it really means is to hold an opinion at variance with those previously, commonly or officially held (not to be confused with “descent,” which means the action of moving downward, dropping or falling. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Marshall Harlan have been called “the Great Dissenters,” while Satan, or, like, a waterfall might be called “Great Descenders.”) Anyway, this time around, Odyssey Storytelling’s event is all about times people have dissented, protested, disagreed, objected or otherwise charted their own course. 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 6. The Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. Seventh St. $10 GA, $7 students. Details here.

Tucson Saguaros vs. the California City Whip Tails. Another week of a Tucson summer means another chance to take yourself out to the ball game. And it’s one! Two! Three games, you’re still not out of luck, because these two teams are playing four games this week. Come support your local baseball team, which has them members hailing from everywhere to right here in town to New Jersey, Rhode Island and Iowa. Did you know there used to be other Arizona teams in the Pecos League, like the Bisbee Blue and the Douglas Diablos? But now, the Saguaros are the only team repping Arizona, so get out there and show some state pride, as well as some cacti pride! 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 7 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. Cherry Field, 425 S. Cherry Ave. $7.50. Details here.

Red Dawn. Who doesn't love a good alternative history movie? Casa Video Film Bar is screening what would happen if the Soviet Union started World War III and Americans (a la Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen) are forced to defend their home town. En garde, comrade! 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 6. 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. Details here.

The Great Summer Art Auction. GOING ONCE. GOING TWICE. GOING BACK AGAIN. This silent auction at the Madaras Gallery lasts for two weeks, so you can check back in on your favorite pieces and take your time thinking about how you want to place your bid without the utter chaos and confusion of a live, loud auction. Select paintings by many artists from the gallery are included, so you’ll have a chance to bid on all sorts of work. If you’re looking for a fancy way to spend some of your summer, we’re hard-pressed to think of a better option. The games begin 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, but the auction runs through Thursday, June 20. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Details here.


Moonstruck. Part of their series on the films of Cher, The Loft Cinema is screening this multiple Oscar-winning tale of classic marriage drama. Plus, there's Nicholas Cage! Before the movie, there will be a rockin' sing-along with Cher music videos. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices. Details here.

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

Whiskey Wednesdays at Union Public House. Rumor has it the folks over at Union Public House have the largest whiskey collection in all of Tucson. So why not stop by and get half off all of their whiskey to help you get through the middle of the week? Plus, they're always serving pub fare as well as full restaurant dishes. Wednesday, June 5. 4340 N. Campbell Ave, Ste. 103. Details here.

From the Delicious Desert: Recipes for Re-Wilding your Kitchen, Backyard and Neighborhood. Do you ever think about how many edible plants there probably are out in the world that you don't even know about? It doesn't have to be that way! Come to the Valencia Library to learn about both traditional and contemporary uses of native plants, water and other resources; hear about some food and water security strategies; and do some community-building activities. The Seed Library Team has all sorts of events going on this summer, so keep an eye out! 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. Valencia Library, 202 W. Details here.

LFA June Roadshow at 191 Toole. Local First Arizona and 191 Toole, downtown's live music venue with a nonprofit twist, are hosting this fun chance to mingle with local business owners. No, really—it's fun! There'll be interactive live art, raffle drawings, music by local DJs and even some local pizza and sorbetto. Maybe you're a business owner yourself, or you just enjoy shopping at and supporting local businesses. Either way, come check it out! Then head over to Borderlands for comedy and brews afterward. 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. 191 Toole, 191 Toole Ave. Free. 21+. Details here.

Michelle Abraham, violin & Peter Takács, piano. Summer is the perfect time for a sonata—especially a Beethoven one that features violin and piano in equal parts. The Arizona Friends of Chamber Music have you covered, with this Violin Sonata in A Major, Op. 12 No. 2; Romance No. 2 in F Major, Op. 50; and Violin Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 12 No. 3. And they've brought in the big guns: TSO's associate concertmaster Michelle Abraham is on the violin, and Oberlin professor Peter Takács, who's recorded every single one of Beethoven's piano sonatas, are playing the pieces. 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. Holsclaw Hall, 1017 N. Olive Road. Treat yourself! $30, or $10 with valid student ID. Details here.

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

BrainSTEM: Sound On! The Pima County Public Library's summer reading program "A Universe of Stories" is designed to get kids reading all summer long (and adults too—treat yourselves, book-loving adults!). This show at the Miller-Golf Links location is part of the program, but it's focused on teaching kids about STEM. You'll see an illustration of how sound waves travel, explore frequencies and watch a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity guest performance by special guest star Rock & Roll Paper Clip! Zip to the clip! 11 a.m. to noon. Tuesday, June 4. Miller-Golf Links Library, 9640 E. Golf Links Road. Free tickets will be handed out 30 minutes prior to the event. Details here. 
Anyone Can Draw & Paint. Before you cry out at the top of your lungs, "Except me! I can't draw! I suck at drawing!" hear us out: This class at the Tucson J is designed for both beginners and experienced artists, and comes with demonstration and instruction by local artist Murray Keshner at every session. Learning something new is scary and exciting and frustrating and infuriating and... well, really fun, if you let it be. Bring a pencil, paper and any media you'd like to use. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays through the end of June. Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road. $80 for a four-class punch card (or $70 for Tucson J members). Details here.

Happy Hour with Gary Nabhan. Tucson's favorite ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan will be mixing specialty cocktails at Downtown Kitchen for a happy hour benefiting the Tucson City of Gastronomy nonprofit. Serving as a "celebrity bartender," Nabhan will use his agricultural and ecological know-how to expertly make some drinks from pomegranate and prickly pear shrubs. This is also an opportunity to meet board members from the Tucson City of Gastronomy and learn more about their upcoming programs. Nabhan also recently wrote an article for Tucson Weekly examining the role agaves play in our local food and culture. 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 4. 135 S. 6th Ave. Open to the public and free to attend. Details here.

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

Elements of Film. Throughout June, the Tucson Jewish Community Center is hosting Jerry Gill of Duke University to explore the elements of filmmaking. The classes will follow the outline of Lee Bobker's book Elements of Film: Story, Image, Sound, Editing and Acting. The weekly classes include film discussions and watching movies. 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, June 3, 10, 17 and 24. 3800 E. River Road. Member Price: $50, Regular Price: $75. Details here. 

Make It Mondays! This summer, every Monday through Labor Day is a Make It Monday at the Children's Museum of Tucson. What does that include you ask? Well, along with just $3 admission per person, enjoy special guests and themes. This week, Bit Buckets are on the schedule. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with special guests on hand from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 200 S 6th Ave. Details here. 

Dog Days at Tucson Botanical Gardens. It's June! And at the Tucson Botanical Gardens that means it's time for the Dog Days of summer. Bring your furry friend for a day of fun for $3 per dog or $20 for members fo a whole summer of fun! Fido in the flowers, pooches with the plants, sounds pretty dang cute to us! 2150 N Alvernon Way. Details here. Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Summer Night Market 2019. On the last Friday of every month throughout the summer, the MSA Annex turns into a family-friendly open-air nighttime market. There will food trucks, live music, local crafts and "bountiful libations." All of this adds up to an awesome event away from the summer sun. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 31. 267 S. Avenida del Convento. Details here.

Cuban Night at Crooked Tooth Brewing. It's getting lively at Crooked Tooth Brewing! The funky tropical Cuban trio "Acerekó" is performing, with additional music from jazz musician Max Goldschmid. Food will be provided by Cuban Twist Cafè, with a special menu of bean and rice bowls, special Cuban chicken and citrus red cabbage slaw. Plus, there are always plenty of great in-house drinks from Crooked Tooth. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 31. 228 E. Sixth Street. Details here.

Potty Mouth Pottery Painting. Do you feel like you already have enough mugs that say "#1 Mom" or "Live, Laugh, Love"? In the mood for something more a little like, "Not on the table, bitch," "Whiskey Business," or a good, old fashioned "#!$@*"? Head on over to Color Me Mine to make yourself (or a potty-mouthed loved one) a one-of-a-kind gift. They have new naughty words silk screens, plus games and prizes! 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 31. Color Me Mine Tucson (Park Place Mall), 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. $10 includes light snacks and paints, but not the cost of pottery. BYOB if you want, and 21+. Details here.

A Long Road to Freedom. Celebrating 50 years, the LGBT magazine The Advocate made a documentary highlighting major moments for gay rights over the past half-century. The Screening Room is hosting this film, which includes interviews with Cleve Jones, Caitlyn Jenner, Gloria Allred and more. Starting with the Black Cat Riots, the film covers the late '60s, the AIDS crisis, and marriage equality into the present day. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 31. 127 E. Congress St. Details here.

Saturday Margarita Madness Music Party. Americano Mexicano cantina is taking hold of the summer weekends with specials on house margaritas, draft beers and some of Tucson's best burritos. The specials are two house margaritas for $5, $4 for draft beers, $6 for burritos and $1.50 for tacos. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1. 800 E University Blvd. Details here.

Arizona Sunrise Series. If you're a runner, you know you can't afford to hit the snooze button during a Tucson summer: You've got to run when it's early, or you'll be running when it's way, way too hot. Startline Racing is presenting this inaugural series of early morning 5K runs throughout the summer at places like Rillito Park, Brandi Fenton Memorial Park and Steam Pump Ranch. Sign up for the whole series and get a custom series medal, plus a custom add-on for each race you complete; a T-shirt (or different style shirt) and extra water stations along the course. There's even age group awards for the top three in each group. Kicking it off is this run at Reid Park, 6:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday, June 1. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way. $35 in advance, $40 on race day, $160 for the entire series of six races. Details here.

Tucson and Las Vegas: Which One of These is Not Like the Other? Way back in the day, Sin City and the Old Pueblo weren't really so different: both had available surface water and nearby oases that made them ideal places for dusty travelers to stop and get some rest. Plus, they were both hugely impacted by the railroad boom of the 19th century, and the promotion of tourism in the 20th. So... what happened? Why is Las Vegas the crazy party city that it is while Tucson is our lovely, laid-back home? Historian Ken Scoville is going to tell us all about it! 10 a.m. to noon. Saturday, June 1. Tohono Chul Education Center #1, 7211 N. Northern Ave. $10 GA or $6 Tohono Chul members. Details here.

Tucson Dance Academy's Summer Showcase. Tucson Dance Academy is a professional dance academy offering comprehensive lessons, but they also welcome all pupils, not just those with professional dancing aspirations. Come see both the kids and adults perform at this end-of-year show, where the theme is "Dancing Around the World." The choreography, costumes and music were all curated to reflect the beauty and diversity of the human race. Come watch people dancing for the passion of it at the academy's 11th annual summer concert. 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $15. Details here.

Charmed, I'm Sure. As the Old Pueblo starts to heat up, it might not feel like such a charmed life. But it is over at the Wilde Meyer Gallery, where their June exhibit is kicking off this Saturday. Painters and sculptors like Jaime Ellsworth, Kari Rives, Trevor Mikula, Sarah Webber and Barbara Duzan are presenting work that's colorful, delightful and sometimes whimsical. We guess you could say it's charming! Come visit all of the art anytime this month. Saturday, June 1 through Sunday, June 30. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 2890 E. Skyline Drive. Free. Details here.

Gate Month at the Madaras Gallery. The Madaras Gallery's yearlong celebration of its 20th anniversary continues with another themed month. June is "gate scenes," featuring pieces inspired by the best of southwestern architecture. Ranch style entrances, rustic hacienda archways, the wooden structures that welcome you onto big properties, or the cozy wrought iron pieces that welcome you into your home. It's easy to rush from place to place during the summer as you try not to fry like an egg on the sidewalk. So what better reminder to take in the beauty Tucson has to offer than a curated selection of real-world frames for some of that very beauty? June 1-30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Free. Details here.

Summer Safari Saturday Nights. Still got superheroes on your mind but thinking maybe seeing Avengers: Endgame for a 12th time in theaters might be overkill? Head to the zoo to learn about the superpowers some of your favorite animals have! Laser-like eyesight, outstanding agility, superhero strength and turbo-cuddliness are just a few examples. Featured animals include goats, dart frogs, elephants, squirrel monkeys, snakes and ruffled lemurs. As always, there's live music, games, food & drink specials and the chance to chat with animal keepers. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court. $10.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $6.50 kids ages 2 to 14 and free for zoo members. Details here.

Give Your Cat the World Week Meetup. Cat lovers, rejoice! Maybe you already know about the website catexplorer.co, but maybe you don't know that there's a website just for humans looking for feline-friendly places all over the world so that they can travel with their cats. Give Your Cat the World Week, from May 27 to June 2, is all about recognizing and sharing the ways we give our cats the world, whether it's through traveling, technology or special training methods. At this event, you'll meet fellow catexplorers, take a walk through Catalina State Park, sip some coffee and maybe even win a Catexplorer T-shirt or tank. Feel free to bring your cat, obviously, but feel free to leave him or her at home if you purr-fer. 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1. Catalina State Park, 11570 N. Oracle Road. Details here.

Doggie Shorts Encore Event. Back by popular demand, the Loft Cinema is screening their collection of 10-second to 10-minute short films and videos from across the globe, all featuring dogs. These are selections of the best shorts from The Bow Wow Film Festival, plus some bonus films from the internet. Proceeds benefit Handi-Dogs, Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to helping older adults and people with disabilities gain independence via service dogs. 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $20-$25. Details here.

Cool Summer Nights: Dino Night. In the summer, Tucsonans sort of become vampires: Hiding from the sun during the day and venturing out only at night, when the climate situation is more bearable. Tonight, venture over to the Desert Museum to learn about another subject that's popularly used in films and dramatic tails: dinosaurs (and fossils). Chris Maynard's solo show, Feathers, features art he made by carving feathers with surgical tools while also respecting their form. Kids will also have a chance to create their own feather masterpieces! As always, docents with fun stations about bats, bugs, snakes, minerals and desert skies are all over. The stingray touch exhibit and Packrat Playhouse are also open. Saturday, June 1. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road. $21.95 GA, $19.95 seniors 65+, $8.95 for kids 3 to 12, free for kids under 3, $17.95 for active or retired military, $16.95 for Arizona/Sonora residents. Details here.

Central Tucson Gallery Association First Saturday Art Walk. Do you have any idea how many art galleries there are downtown? Or how much art they're housing? This art walk is a great way to wind down from the stress of the work week, and/or to wind up for the partying of a Saturday night, when you're probably going to be downtown anyway. There are eight galleries in the CTGA participating this week: the Central Arts Gallery, the Conrad Wilde Gallery, the Contreras Gallery, the Drawing Studio, the Fragment Gallery, The Sacred Machine, the Obsidian Gallery and the Raices Taller 222 Gallery. See ctgatucson.org for hours and addresses for each individual gallery. Details here.


Police Story Double Feature. Although he's been alive and well for decades, the real life-threatening stunts Jackie Chan pulled off for the Police Story films are so wild you'll worry for his life as you watch. Seriously, the man slides down a pole, breaking through several panes of glass and sparking electric wires. And that's just one scene. The Loft Cinema is showing two whole movies of Chan's madness for the price of one! Noon on Sunday, June 2. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $13. Details here.

End of an Era Soirée at The Coronet. Ending a five-year run at their current location, The Coronet is moving to a new spot on Cushing Street. As such, they're hosting one final bash to send off the original location, and everyone's invited. They will serve a secret menu filled with only the very best one can hope for, and that's really all there is to say. Jimmy Carr & The Awkward Moments will be performing as a send-off. Get out there and celebrate The Coronet's last night on Fourth Ave! 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 2. 402 E. Ninth Street. Details here.

Summer Specials at Tavolino. Chef Massimo Tenino recently announced two specials at Tavolino Ristorante Italiano this summer: On Sundays beginning June 2 is the "Two Brothers Food and Wine for Two" special, which includes two dinner options, each including a bottle of Pietro Rinaldi wine to be shared; a salad, entrée and dessert for each person, $55-$75. On Tuesdays, beginning June 4, is the "Lunch or Dinner for Two" special, which includes a glass of Chianti or Pinot Grigio, salad, dessert and pizza for $30. 2890 E. Skyline Drive. Details here.

Rillito Park Farmers Market. From farmers to ranchers to bakers to chefs, the Rillito Park Farmers Market hosts all sorts of wonderful people peddling all sorts of wonderful wares. With three shade pavilions that provide 5,000 square feet of shopping shade, a center entertainment circle and public restrooms, there's plenty to enjoy and appreciate as you shop at the roughly 80 small businesses who assemble at this market located right along The Loop. Take yourself out, support local business, and spend the rest of your week talking about how you're the type of person who does her shopping at the farmers' market. 8 a.m. to noon. Sunday, June 2. Food Pavilion at Rillito Park, 4502 N. First Ave. Free. Details here.

The Mendelssohn Project. Felix Mendelssohn made his public concert debut at age 9, wrote his first symphony for full-orchestra at 15 and composed (among a bunch of other famous stuff), the melody for "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Listening to some of the finest string players from both around the city and around the country might not make Mendelssohn's talent rub off on you, but it MIGHT. Plus, it's sure to be an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. The St. Andrew's Bach Society presents this performance of String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13; Four Pieces for String Quartet, Op. 80 and Octet for Strings, Op. 20. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2. Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St. $16 GA, $11 students. Details here.

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

Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue Two-Year Anniversary. Southern Tucson’s smokiest restaurant and food truck combo is celebrating its second year in business, and for the occasion, there will be meal deal of brisket, ribs, cornbread and more. Get out there and celebrate with a local meal “backed by tradition and legacy.” 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 30. 5250 E. 22nd Street. Details here.


Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Dinner at Elvira’s. Four courses of food and mezcal for $50? Only at Elvira’s. This downtown spot is pairing Del Maguey mezcal with dishes inspired by Oaxaca, including a special mole. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30. 256 E. Congress St. $50. Details here.

Quilts in the Gardens. Quilts for a Cause auctions and sells handmade quilts and patterns donated by quilters to support breast and gynecological cancer research. This summer, they’re partnering with Tucson Botanical Gardens to exhibit nature-themed quilts in Porter Hall and the Friends House Gallery at the gardens. Quilts will also be for sale in the gift shop. Come support a good cause, brighten up your home and remind yourself that when the colder days ahead finally do get here, you’ll be warm and wrapped up in a quilt. On display through September 29. Garden hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15 GA, $13 students/seniors/military, $8 kids 4 to 17, free for members and kids under 4. Details here.

Borderlands Residential Solar Expo. Okay, we get it: A residential solar expo doesn't sound super fun. But you know what is fun? Saving money on electricity! Reducing your carbon footprint! And having solar panels! So take your chance to meet a couple of local solar providers, ask whatever questions you need to, and learn more about tax credits and financing. And you know what else? The event's at a brewery with great food. So if worse comes to worst, you spent your Thursday night eating, drinking and deciding solar panels aren't for you. Still a major success. 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 30. Borderlands Brewing Company, 119 E. Toole Ave. Free. Details here.

Beginners Belly Dancing. Never belly danced before? There's no time like the present to start! Na-il has 16 years of experience dancing, and nine in belly dance. He specializes in belly dance fusion, weaving the dance form into other styles, both traditional and modern. In this class, you'll explore how to move your pelvis and ribcage to upbeat music ranging from Middle Eastern to modern. You can't tell us you've never thought belly dancing looks super cool, so why not try it for yourself? Be sure to bring plenty of water, because—special bonus!—belly dancing is a full-body workout. 6 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, May 30. Circus Sanctuary, 3113 E. Columbia St. $18 for a drop-in session. Details here.

Tucson Saguaros. Our local baseball team has its first two home games of the season this week! And it's our hometown cacti vs. the High Desert Yardbirds, in from Adelanto, CA. All their home games will be on Cherry Field this season, which is centrally located and well-lit... hooray! Come root, root, root for the home team in its fourth season, and pick up one of their really cool hats while you're at it—it's got a saguaro holding a baseball bat on it, and what more could you want in a hat? 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31. Cherry Field, 425 S. Cherry Ave. $7.50. Details here.

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

Andy Andrist redux, Bruce Jingles, Amy Miller, Caitlin Weierhauser at the O

Bruce Jingles brings his smart observations, eloquent storytelling and pitch-perfect comedic timing to The O on June 1. He’s the second half of a weekend double-header doubling down on The O’s commitment to creating an uptown jazz and comedy club.

The Unbookables’s Andy Andrist headlines at 8 p.m. on May 31. Tickets for his show, a free-associative trip through his kaleidoscopic mind with side-trips to the floor, may still be available for $8 via Eventbrite.com, or you can pay $10 at the door.

It’s Jingles’ first visit to Tucson, and he performs at both 7 pm and 9 pm on June 1. Tickets are $10 via Eventbrite and $15 at the door. A favorite in Southern California’s stand-up comedy stomping grounds, Jingles plies relatable tales of everyday life with, for example, law enforcement, stereotyping, and weed. He drives them cheerily home with impersonations of people audience members may recognize from their own lives.

Jingles is a popular podcast guest and a fixture on USO tours. He’s been seen on ABC, VH1, TMZ, NUVOTV, and two Showtime specials, and he appeared in the 2008 dark comedy Driving Bill Crazy. His live comedy album, Bruce Jingles: Comic, released by RBC Records, can be found on iTunes, Pandora and Spotify.

The O keeps rolling on Wednesday, June 5 with Amy Miller, Caitlin Weierhauser and Steve Hernandez. According to her bio, headliner Miller was one of Comedy Central’s Up Next comics for 2018, and was a breakout favorite in Season 9 of Last Comic Standing. She’s also appeared on the Adam Carolla Show, Viceland and the Doug Loves Movies comedy podcast. Most recently she guested on the Stephen Colbert Show.

Miller describes her comedy as “personal, political, and 100 percent authentic.” She earned her comedy stripes in the Bay Area, but began attracting more widespread attention when she moved to Portland’s rich and even more diverse comedy scene.

She won the title Portland’s Funniest in a 2015 competition sponsored by Helium Comedy Club and was voted Portland’s Funniest Comedian in both 2013 and 2015 by readers of the independent Willamette Week. She was the first woman to top either, let alone both, of those contests.

Her album, Solid Gold, is available on the prestigious Kill Rock Stars label. Her podcast, Who’s Your God, with fellow O linep member Steve Hernandez, is at libsyn.com. She’s performed at numerous comedy festivals, including SXSW, Bridgetown, Big Sky and the San Francisco Sketchfest.

L.A.-based Weierhauser describes her comedy as social commentary with “coach vibes and … unhinged enthusiasm, often political, frequently personal and entirely too tantrum-prone.” Naturally she was cast in a Disney movie. It’s Timmy Failure, being readied for the 2020 debut of the new Disney streaming service, Disney +.

Weierhauser was voted one of the top three performers at Big Sky Comedy Fest and has performed for Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Bumbershoot, and the All Jane Comedy Fest.

Also from L.A., Steve Hernandez founded the popular LA bar show, Chatterbox Comedy Night. He was featured as a Field Correspondent on I Love You, America! With Sarah Silverman and appeared in Comedy Central’s Corporate.


Local First Arizona kind of spells LAF

Tucson’s favorite cartoonist and raconteur David Fitzsimmons hosts a comedy show at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 at Borderlands Brewery. Admission is $5 at the door or in advance via squareup.com.

The event wraps up a Local First Arizona Roadshow hosted from 4 to 7 pm by the Rialto Theatre at its offshoot entertainment venue 191 Toole. It’s at the other end of the block from Borderlands.

LFA-member the Comedy Alliance of Tucson (full disclosure: I am its founder) organized the comedy show to include, besides Fitzsimmons: Roxy Merrari, host of Comedy at the (Surly) Wench; Monte Benjamin, known for clean comedy rooted in his experiences as a black American; Matt Ziemak, co-host of the monthly Brew Ha Ha comedy show at Borderlands; Mo Urban, stand-up comedy coach at Tucson Improv Movement, founder of a half-dozen local comedy shows and frequent guest in Arizona comedy festivals; Alex Kack, a leader in CAT, producer of this show and host of several local comedy shows, and Josiah Osego, a popular guest in comedy shows in Phoenix and all over Southern Arizona.

Ever the joker, Borderlands Brewing Company co-owner Michael Mallozzi says, “Running a business is no joke! But that doesn’t mean we can’t laugh! Join us for the Local First Arizona Roadshow to support your local businesses because you can’t spell laugh without LFA.” (Just don’t overthink it.)

Michael Peel, Southern Arizona Director of Local First Arizona, says the LFA Roadshows, which are free to the public, are a new program to get business members out in the community, like farmers’ markets promoting products and services. Peel says, “We create fun and engaging ways to connect local businesses to the community on a regular basis and keep more dollars in our local economy. 

Peel and Mallozzi have been advisers in the formation of the Comedy Alliance of Tucson (CAT), seeing it as a means to expand the local business sector using comedy as a draw. Since it was established last year, CAT has worked with local businesses to create more opportunities for comedy in Tucson, promoting existing shows and venues while encouraging new ones. The organization promoted its first CATcomedy520 LOL crawl last January and currently is networking and pursuing initiatives with FEATS-AZ, the Marana Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tucson and TEN WEST as well as Local First.

Peel says, “Expect different themes and a rotating cast of LFA members and partners each month spotlighting and celebrating what makes our community so unique.” 

MOCA ArtNow! screening and lecture. The Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting a lecture from their Artist-in-Residence, David Fenster. Fenster will screen and discuss multiple of his films, as well as discuss his work during a Q&A session. Fenster is a filmmaker based in Marfa, Texas, whose work has screened at museums and festivals around the world. 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. 265 S. Church Ave. $10 admission, free for MOCA members and students. Details here.

Phantom of the Opera. The Loft Cinema is screening this 1925 silent horror classic, but are upping the volume level with a live performance by Austin rock band The Invincible Czars as the film’s score. Although it’s only May, they encourage attendees to dress for the Halloween season at this “scarifying screening!” 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $12. Details here.


Samuel Ace Double Book Launch & Celebration with TC Tolbert. Samuel Ace is a trans/queergender poet and sound artist behind books like Our Weather Our Sea and Stealth (that second one with Maureen Seaton), and the winner of awards like the Astraea Lesbian Writer Award and the Firecracker Alternative Book Award in Poetry. Recently, he brought together and republished two poetry collections first issued in the mid-’90s by poet Linda Smukler, adding an introduction and a collection of essays by writers impacted by Smukler’s and his own work. Come hear him present work from the book, “Meet Me There: Normal Sex & Home in three days. Don’t wash.” And from his own collection of poems, “Our Weather Our Sea.” Tucson Poet Laureate TC Tolbert joins him. Bring something for the potluck! 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. Kore Press, 325 W. Second St., Room 201. $5, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Details here.

Infusion Release at 1912 Brewing. For the summer season, 1912 Brewing is bringing infusions back! Every Wednesday, they’re releasing a new “out of the box” infusion, ranging from sweet to sour to hoppy. They’ll also have a rotating cast of local food trucks to pair with the new and crazy beer of the day. 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. Details here.

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