Laughing Stock won't be here next week, so here are two weeks’ worth of laughs for you. Also, clear your calendar for Oct. 18, because it’s going to be like Oct. 12 all over again.

What’s so funny about 10/12?

You have tough choices for Saturday, October 12. At 8 p.m., Tig Notaro performs an all-ages show at the Rialto Theatre. Tickets are $30 o $42 at Eventbrite.com. Her CD, Live, was the number one selling comedy album the year it was released. A cancer survivor, she’s been nominated for an Emmy and a Grammy for her HBO special, Boyish Girl Interrupted, and her memoir was a New York Times Best-seller.

You can test your stamina with 24 hours of comedy at TENWEST’s 86,400 Second Tucson Comedy Marathon from 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 until 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 13 at Hotel McCoy. Produced by the Tucson Comedy Alliance, it’s free, live and live streamed on Facebook at tucsoncomedy.com. Bring the kids for six hours of family comedy from 6 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 13. Watch for more details in Tucson Weekly’s coverage of TENWEST.

Finally, Tucson expat and current New York City comic Lorrie Brownstone features for headliner Jason Cheny at Laffs Comedy Caffe at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, October 11 and 12. Tickets are $12.50 and $17.50 via laffstucson.com.

Titters

If there weren’t already a word combining boobs and laughs, rascally cartoonist, satirist and raconteur David Fitzsimmons would have to invent one. His annual Titters comedy show, featuring an all-female lineup, has a serious heart, though. It benefits Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a program that funds breast cancer research. Fitzsimmons lost both his mother and sister to breast cancer. Two of the show’s comedians are survivors.

Brownstone extends her stay to head up the bill. The lineup includes Nancy Stanley, founder of The Estrogen Hour; Priscilla Fernandez of the Retro Game Show, attorney Stacy Scheff and Laughing Stock’s own Linda Ray. Fitzsimmons hosts.

The show is at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16. Tickets are $16 via freshtix.com.

The Estrogen Hour celebrates its “Wood” anniversary.

While we all know about those fancy anniversaries in double digits – gold, silver, maybe crystal — leave it to those randy Estrogen Hour girls, at least the straight ones, to celebrate the wood for their fifth anniversary. In its five years, the show has raised more than $40,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The lineup has not yet been confirmed, but The Estrogen Hour typically features female comedians, including a few comedy “virgins” and, occasionally a “guestosterone.” Follow The Estrogen Hour on Facebook for updates.

The Estrogen Hour: 5th Anniversary Show starts at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20 at Laff’s Comedy Caffe. Reservations are $15 via pages.lls.org/tnt/az/ashvle20/MSteed

Even More Laughs

Friday, Oct. 4: Standup with Michael Turner at 7:30 p.m at The O ($5 and $10). Standup with Mike Merryfield at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe ($12.50 and $17.50) Improv with Constable and 301 Showcase at 7:30 p.m. and The Soapbox at 9 p.m. at Tucson Improv Movement ($5).

Saturday, Oct. 5: Standup with Mike Merryfield at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe ($12.50 and $17.50). Improv with The Match Game at 7:30 p.m. with Seasons Readings and 3rd Beats at 9 p.m. at Tucson Improv Movement ($5).

Sunday, Oct. 6 and 13: Free Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Chuckleheads in Bisbee.

Monday, Oct. 7 and 14: Free Open Mic at 7 p.m. at The Surly Wench. Oct. 14: Free improvised standup show with audience participation at The Switch at 9 p.m. at The Hut.

Tuesday, Oct. 8: Free open mic and Oct. 15 Roast of Roy Lee Reynolds at Neighborhood Comedy at 6:45 p.m. at The Music Box Lounge.

Wednesday, Oct. 9 and 16: Free open mics at 7 p.m. at The Screening Room and 8:30 p.m. at The Mint.

Thursday, Oct. 10 and 17: Free open mics at 8 p.m. at Laffs Comedy Caffe and 8:30 p.m. at Rockabilly Grill.

Have you read Jacob Tobia's (pronouns: they/them) national bestseller, Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story?

You really should!

Then join us on October 6 at Murphy-Wilmot Library (530 N. Wilmot Rd.) from 6 to 8 pm for an open and honest discussion about how we can build a world free from gender-based trauma and bursting with trans-inclusive feminism.
"A story of audacity and courage," (Billie Jean King), Sissy explores gender, stereotypes, and growing up not  sure if you're (a) a boy, (b) a girl, (c) something in between, or (d) all of the above.

Among their many remarkable achievements, Jacob is a member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Out 100. They served as the Social Media Producer on the Emmy Award-winning series, Transparent and collaborated with Instagram and GLAAD to produce #KindComments, a campaign for Trans Day of Visibility that was viewed over 14 million times.

This event is brought to you by the Library's LGBTQ+ Services Team, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018. It is generously funded by the Friends of the Pima County Public Library.

Modern Woman Tells All

We are trying not to refer to Carol Leifer as a Michaelangela of comedy, but there it is. She started her standup career in college in the 1970s, when that was not at all the done thing. Most recently, she’s been a writer for our favorite TV shows: Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Modern Family and Saturday Night Live. An actor and producer as well, she’s also written books with compelling titles: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying and the irresistible-as-chocolate When You Lie About Your Age, The Terrorists Win.

At 10:30 a.m., Sunday, March 10, Leifer shares stories from her incredible career as well as her thoughts on women’s issues, her Jewish roots, LGBT perspectives and her four rescue dogs at a benefit for Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. The event is at the Westin La Paloma Hotel and reservations are $40 for those who already have donated at least $180 to the JFSA. Surely you know someone? Visit jfsa.org/connections-2019 for details.

Think Positive

Billboard Magazine has called Chonda Pierce “the country comic,” so even though Larry the Cable Guy is cancelled at Casino del Sol Saturday, the week shouldn’t be a total loss. Pierce performs at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 12, at the Fox Tucson Theatre. Tickets are $21.20 to $52 via awakeningevents.com.

Like most of the Awakening stable, Pierce is Christian; her website has a tab for “Prayer.” It’s given her a bright outlook, though, in the way of lemons making lemonade. Her first film, Chonda Pierce: Laughing In The Dark, was based on her struggle to overcome depression. While it may not be every comedy fan’s taste, her positivity has made her the top-selling female comedian, per RIAA data.

A preacher’s daughter, Pierce got her start in show business playing the role of Minnie Pearl at Nashville’s Opryland theme park. She so loved telling jokes as Minnie Pearl she decided to make it her career. According to her website bio, “she credits her southern upbringing both for her warped sense of humor and her solid roots.”

Speaking of Women

March 28 through 30 are set for this year’s all-female, multi-genre Cactus Flower Comedy Festival. Details about selected standups, storytellers and improvisers are still being sorted, but festival hosts the Tucson Improv Movement will feature their popular female teams the Riveters, the bilingual Como Se Dice and female members of Throwdown. 

James Beard award winner, Michael Twitty is coming to the Loft Cinema courtesy of Pima County Public Library's LGBTQ+ Services Committee. A Q&A, book sale and signing will follow author talk at this free event.

Twitty will speak about gastronomy, the social justice reality of food, and his memoir The Cooking Gene, which the New York Times Book Review called "fascinating."

Of Twitty, the Washington Post says "Should there ever be a competition to determine the most interesting man in the world, Michael W. Twitty would have to be considered a serious contender."

Want to learn more before the event? Find more info here:

• The Cooking Gene: Michael Twitty on PBS - Curate 757
  
• Michael Twitty on the politics behind what you eat on Eater
  

Wednesday, October 24 at 7 pm
The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
Doors open at 6:30 - No registration required

Reid Park hosted this years 41st annual Tucson Pride Festival. According to the Tucson Pride website: 

Tucson Pride envisions a community of diverse, empowered and accepted individuals to live full and authentic lives, with the love and support of an understanding community.

Tucson Pride Festival celebrates that mission by filling a safe space with all of the diverse and supporting LGBTQA+ members of our Southern Arizona Community. There were live performances and dance parties in addition to the food and vendors and oh so many rainbows!

This year raised over $60,000 by the end of it, nearly doubling that of last years $37,000 in proceeds from the event.

Tucson Pride is this weekend. Here are a few of the many upcoming events where you can celebrate:

Tucson Pride Parade
11 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, Sept. 29
Parade Staging Location: CODAC Behavioral Health Parking Lot (Broadway & Country Club)
3130 E. Broadway Blvd.
Parade Route:
Beginning: South Country Club Road at East Manchester Street
Ending: South Country Club Road at Concert Place (Reid Park Festival Parking Entrance)

Pride in the Desert Festival
Noon to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29
Georges DeMeester Performance Center in Reid Park
900 S. Randolph Way
$5-$20

Satisfaction: Pride Dance Party
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29
191 Toole
191 E. Toole Ave
$5 / 21+

Immerse yourself in Elizabethan drama with The Loft Cinema’s free screening of Edward II, a twist on the Christopher Marlowe play “The Troublesome Reign of Edward II.” The 1991 film, newly digitally restored, is regarded as a New Queer Cinema classic. It follows the story of King Edward II (played by Steven Waddington), who rejects his wife (played by Tilda Swinton) and takes his friend Piers Gaveston (played by Andrew Tiernan) as a lover. The resulting shock and chaos offer social commentary on homophobia in England.

The Derek Jarman-directed film will play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Admission is free but there is a $5 suggested donation. For more details, please visit The Loft's website.

How does Pima County Public Library uphold its values? We celebrate diversity and find strength in recognizing differences. For 20 years, the Library's LGBTQ+ Services Committee has committed to providing welcoming, inclusive opportunities for everyone. Come see what it's all about at these upcoming events, including the brand new Stonewall Series!

The Stonewall Series

Saturday, June 2 (2–4 pm, Joel D. Valdez Main Library)
Fenton Johnson presents "The Future of Queer: A Manifesto"

Wednesday, June 20 (6–8 pm, Murphy-Wilmot Library)
Bill Konigsberg presents "Is Cis Gay White the New Straight"

Saturday, June 30 (2–4 pm, Woods Memorial Library)
Rachell Mindell presents "Bi is Not a Bad Word"

Rainbow Reads: A Positively Queer Reading Circle

Alternating between book chats and book clubs, this reading circle is held on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Exo Roast Co.

The next book club will be held on June 17. The book selection is Virginia Woolf's Orlando.

Rainbow Storytime

Wednesday, June 6 (11–11:45, Woods Memorial Library)
Thursday, June 7 (10–10:45, Santa Rosa Library)
Friday, June 22 (10:30–11:15, Sahuarita Library)

For more information, visit the Library's website or call Infoline at (520) 791-4010.

Olivia Avanzato, 28, has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She’s been teaching classes at Floor Polish for about a year, teaching styles like “bad-ass tap” and solo salsa.

When Marina Cornelius, the studio’s founder, suggested she teach a couple’s class, Avanzato was having a hard time getting psyched about it. Then she realized what the problem was.

“I’m not excited because I’m not excited about taking couples classes,” she said.

Avanzato lives in Tucson with her partner Nadia, and had never been enthralled by the traditional, very heterosexual nature of most partner classes.

“Anytime I’ve ever taken a couple’s class, I’ve gone by myself, without my partner and done the traditional follow part and danced with a male," she said. "Or I’ve gone to a traditional class and stood in for the lead part.”

So she decided to do something different, something more inclusive for everyone. And she came up with Rainbow Salsa: a monthly dance class for LGBTQ+ couples. The first class was in September, and Avanzato said the couples who attended enjoyed it.

“It was really sweet,” she said. “It was really intimate and loving.”

The classes aren’t limited to same-sex couples–Avanzato wants to make sure that that everyone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum is included.

“I wanted it to be a place where you can dance with your partner and it’s fine,” she said.

Rainbow Salsa classes will be offered once a month at Floor Polish, 215 N. Hoff Ave. #107, and cost $15. The next one is Saturday, Oct. 7 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

About 600 protesters waving familiar posters gathered in front of Pima County’s Administration Building on Tuesday evening: Refugees Welcome, Black Lives Matter, No Human is Illegal. In an age where almost every week, people take to the streets to voice their outrage with the government, people are getting creative. “Dumbledore's Army accepting members” and “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” are a few of the more creative signs.

The focus of Tucsonans Against Racism Protest and Rally was County Supervisor Ally Miller, who announced her white pride on Facebook, only hours after a white supremacist mowed down a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 12. For the last week, citizens and fellow board members implored her to apologize for her comments.

And now it seems the time for apologies has passed, at least for the hundreds that gathered on Tucson’s downtown. People want her gone. It was no accident this rally was planned on the day Trump addressed supporters in Phoenix. Inside the Phoenix Convention Center, Trump hinted at pardoning former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for illegally continuing racist practices, and Trump decried the “very dishonest media,” blaming them for the backlash to his “many sides” statement following Charlottesville. Outside, thousands protested and were finally dispersed when police set off tear gas into the crowd. In Tucson, people chanted—families with toddlers in strollers, old ladies waving American flags, teenagers standing up for their future.

People of every age, creed and color shouted, “This is what democracy looks like,” and held their signs high as cars passed, honking their approval.