Comedy so outsider it’s insider

Neil Hamburger is an awful comedian. His affect is palpably awkward. A Sartorial disaster, his clothes look like Goodwill rejects from the sixties. His hair needs a hot bath. His singing is like Leonard Cohen’s as it might sound in The Upside Down, which is to say it’s near perfect in spite of itself.

As colorful and character-drenched as his most obvious features are, they say little about the man. They provide cerebrally irreverent Gregg Turkington with cover for his subversive take on contemporary culture and values. If you don’t laugh at your life, you’re not listening. “Some might say this is a lowbrow show,” Turkington says. “but when I’m making doo doo jokes or jokes about Elton John, it's all in service of, you know, making larger points.”

He acknowledges that his Hamburger character requires a little more intellectual commitment than the average club comic. But his fans also expect more music. Turkington’s been recording for Drag City’s venerable indie record label for more than twenty years, from the moment he overthrew youthful punk immersion for fanzine-level commitment to deeply sincere emotional expression and top shelf musicianship.

“It’s got nothing to say,” says Turkington of current punk music. Perhaps it’s enough to say it’s just another genre, now. “I feel like punk became more regimented than just about any other style of music. Now, my favorite stuff to listen to is really well-produced pop records from the sixties. I just want something with some personality.”

Hamburger’s musical performance owes roughly 20% to Tiny Tim and another 20% to Steve Allen. The music, though, is splendid. Drag City, released his 12th record, Still Dwelling, a year ago in all formats. It inspired half a dozen visual artists around the world to create videos for it; four are now available online, including one animation and a puppet show.

“When Still Dwelling came out, people said the music is incredible because of the musicianship,” Turkington says, Songs include compositions by Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Mark Eitzel and Nancy Wilson. Instruments include a sitar, a saw and a clarinet. Jack Black contributes vocals.
“But I’ve got people saying, ‘Yeah, but I don’t know about the vocals.’ I’m thinking 95% of the songs on the charts are autotuned. That sounds like robotic voices.” No one would confuse Turkington or and Hamburger with robots, though. In fact, they are sui generis.

Turkington appears as Hamburger at 191 Toole on Friday, Jan. 17. Tickets are $20 and $25, including fees, at rialtotheatre.com

Funnier than he looks

John Green was named “Best of the Fest” at the Burbank comedy festival, no mean feat in metropolitan area where you can’t swing a blunt without a half-dozen comics taking a hit.
Green was a long time coming back to his childhood dream of standup notoriety. He studied music through school, then trod the path to success as a Phoenix-area businessman. In his ‘30s, he fell in love with improv. First as a fan, then as a talented improviser, he honed the skills and, even more, the confidence to face an audience alone, even with what he calls his “resting murder face”.

Now Green’s set occasionally includes a song improvised at an audience member’s request to embarrass their friend or mate. Mainly, though, Green’s comedy backbone is good, clean fun. He says in his bio, “There seems to be a stigma about calling yourself a ‘clean’ comic, almost like you’re not a true artist. My only mission with comedy is to make people laugh and feel good about laughing.”

Green is featured at The O at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18. Reservations are $7, $5 in advance via Eventbrite.

MLK Weekend reminder

John Roy’s Jesuit father and psychotherapist mom may have had higher aspirations for him than to be a standup comedian. Alas for them, he absorbed the influence of their diverse, artsy and gritty Rogers Park, Chicago, neighborhood. It gave him the breezy confidence and wide-ranging comic flair that made him champion of CBS’s 2003 Star Search and led to appearances on The Tonight Show, Craig Ferguson, Last Comic Standing and Conan. He’s also performed regularly on cable network TV, independent comedy shows and satellite radio via his record, Dressed for Recess.”

Roy appears at Laffs Comedy Caffe on Friday at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday at 7 and 9:30 p.m., And Sunday at 7 p.m. Reservations are $12.50 and $17.50 via laffstucson.com.

More Laughs!

Friday, Jan. 17, long-form improv with TIM Teachers Lounge and The Flower Boys at 7:30 p.m. ($5,) and The Soapbox featuring Bryan Sanders (flag shirt guy)($7) at 9 p.m., at Tucson Improv Movement (TIM) (both shows $10). Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m., Unscrewed Theatre ($5 kids and $8 adults).

Saturday, Jan. 18, Improv with The Ugly Sweater Show and Harold Alpha at 7:30 p.m., and another Ugly Sweater Show with The Dating Scene at 9 p.m., TIM ($5). Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m., and Unscrewed Double Feature at 9 p.m., Unscrewed Theater ($5 and $8)

Monday, Jan. 20, standup showcase Brew Ha Ha features Leland Long, Jimmy Callaway, Monte Benjamin and Stephanie Lyonga at Borderlands Brewing at 8 p.m., $5.

Wednesday, Jan. 22, standup with Tom Briscoe at the Desert View Performing Arts Center at 7P30 p.m. ($22)

Thursday, Jan. 23, standup showcase Casa de Comedy is at Casa Marana at 8 p.m., free.

Free Open Mics

Sunday, Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m., The O, and 8 p.m., Chuckleheads in Bisbee.
Monday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m., Comedy at the Wench, The Surly Wench Pub.
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6:45 p.m., Neighborhood Comedy at The Music Box Lounge.
Weds, Jan. 22, 7 p.m., The Screening Room
Thursday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe and 8:30 p.m., Rockabilly Grill.

Widely regarded as one of the finest soul, funk and R&B bands in the world, snippets of their songs have been repurposed by the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Nas, TLC and many others making them the 15th most sampled act in music history. From Scotland, the Average White Band "Cut the Cake." At the Fox Theatre...

Arizona Friends of Chamber Music's Night Two sees the St. Lawrence Quartet exploring how Joseph Haydn's influence—Haydn was one of Beethoven's prominent music teachers—may have manifested in Beethoven's middle and late quartets. At Leo Rich Theater...

With echoing vintage keyboards (Wurlitzer organ and Fender Rhodes electric piano) and lush layers of vocals mashed together with fey Americana noir and pop song structures, this Portland singer-songwriter has coined a new genre: Dream country disco. Megan Diana is at Club Congress. With Soda Sun, Jillian Bessett and Emby Alexander...

Bringing together renowned jazz artists with local musicians, The Secret Jazz Series is a three night parallel jazz program during Tucson Jazz Fest. Night One: Hard Bop Night sees saxophonist Mike Monynihan, bassist Thøger Lund and drummer Casey Hadland back "The Secret Weapon" on piano. At El Crisol (formerly Exo Bar)...

Friday, Jan. 10

“Born Under a Bad Sign?” Well, Maybe not. This child prodigy took up the oboe, saxophone, trombone, double bass and piano as a schoolboy and his signature instrument, organ, while putting in time at church. He went onto become a key figure in the development of Memphis soul—recording timeless soul classics as part of the racially integrated house band (the M.G.’s), unprecedented in that time of racial strife, at Stax Records—earning Grammy Awards, Lifetime Acheivement honors and immortality as an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Booker T. Jones’ celebrates the release of his memoir Time Is Tight and companion album Note By Note with a reading, Q&A and live performance. At the Rialto Theatre…

They come from around the world by plane, train and automobile. The Sixth Annual Tucson Jazz Festival 2020 kicks off tonight. Headlining this year’s fest: David Sanborn Jazz Quintet, Grace Kelly & Aubrey Logan, David Hazeltine and The New York All-Stars, Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom, Average White Band, Afro-Cuban All-Stars, Christian McBride & Inside Straight, Mavis Staples and a whole lot more. The occupation runs through Monday, Jan. 20. See tucsonjazzfestival.org for all the details…

Merging “Taste, Tone and Space” this Boston guitarist has drawn comparison to country picker Danny Gatton, jazz guitarist Pat Martino and iconic rocker Jeff Beck. “I want to create instrumental music and deliver it like a vocalist. You can be a great player. But what people really remember is a great melody.” Johnny A. plays at 191 Toole. Tucson’s own bluesman extraordinaire Tom Walbank takes the lead…

He’s collaborated with James Brown, George Clinton and Prince. Embodying the legacy of soul and funk, like no other. Saxophonist Maceo Parker & His Big Band kick-offs of the Jazz Fest at Centennial Hall…

Saturday, Jan. 11

Originally christened The Elgins, before Berry Gordy discovered that another group had laid claim to the name, their story is an epic journey of courage, struggles, triumphs, setbacks and ultimately, international superstardom. Motown legends The Temptations bring their catalog of classic R&B and soul hits to the Desert Diamond Casino-Sahuarita…

Rolling Stone proclaimed this genre-hopper, “Among the great saxophonists of the past four decades.” He is jazz, funk, soul, pop, blues and rock. After releasing 24 albums, eight gold and one platinum, and winning six Grammy Awards one might ask, “So what now?” Full of passion, this “Saxophone Colossus” has recently assembled a stunning program of straight-ahead jazz tunes for his new quintet. David Sanborn blows at the Fox Theater…

La Cerca, Louise Le Hir and Miss Olivia & the Interlopers gather to help low-power radio station KMKR 99.9 FM celebrate its second anniversary. At Club Congress. Cheers…

In addition to collaborations with Alfonso Rodenas, Tony Gilkyson, John Densmore and others, this award-winning singer-songwriter has released five solo albums and composed numerous songs for film (Dances With Wolves) and television (Hatfields & McCoys). “The lone coyote howling in the desert.” John Coinman performs at El Crisol (formerly Exo Bar)...

Honoring divas past and present, Miss Gay Tucson America 2020: American Horror Story. At the Rialto Theatre. Apple and Diva preside over the pageantry…

Followed by the hottest reggaeton dance party in the land. Spinning everything from the classics to the newest Latin hip-hop, trap and perreo, Gasolina burns into the night. At the Rialto Theatre…

Sunday, Jan. 12

Incorporating digital technology with prodigious chops, singer/saxophonist Grace Kelly was featured by Vanity Fair as a millennial shaking up the jazz world, pushing her electro jazz-pop to the forefront of the fusion scene. She will share the stage with “The Queen of Sass” vocalist/trombonist Aubrey Logan, who is a featured artist for Postmodern Jukebox and the Dave Koz Band. Making jazz young again, Grace Kelly & Aubrey Logan are at the Rialto Theatre…

“Oh, I heard it through the grapevine…” The Coronet is the place for what is rumored to be an exemplary happy hour heightened by the appearance of Jazz Festival special guests. Expect the unexpected…

Funny at the Fringe

By definition, Fringe Fest performers don’t fit any category, but many of them are comedy acts, and this year’s Tucson Fringe Festival, January 9 through 11, features more than most.

“There's so much comedy!!!” fest honcho Maryann Green texted us. "’<=2’, (less than or equal to two) is sketch comedy from the directors of the Elgin Fringe Festival. 'How To Contract Lycanthropy' is dry humor from award-winning Minneapolis Fringe Festival artist Matthew Kessen. 'Sexology the Musical' promises to be a rockin’ good time.” And Green is just getting started.

Tucson Fringe Fest is popular for a wide range of great, little-known talent. Green and her team see, screen and invite plenty of fringe acts they know will find a Tucson audience. But their strategy of short shows and low prices all but guarantees a good time. If you don’t love the show you’re seeing, there’s another within the hour that could blow you away.

Admission to the fest is $3 for a button. Shows are $10 each, but passes are available for two, five or eight shows each for $18 to $64. Tickets and details of all the shows are at shop.tucsonfringe.org.

Twenty-two shows will be performed more than 50 times in five venues that are less than a mile apart downtown. They include The Screening Room, Steinfeld Warehouse, StudioONE, the Cabaret Theatre at the Temple of Music and Art and The Circus Academy.

Much excitement around this year’s fest is about the 16 acts appearing for the first time, including Phoenix sketch comedy team The Cosmonauts. The eight-year-old ensemble has performed in multiple festivals. They suggest that the audience think of them “like Saturday Night Live, but R-rated”

Green continues, “Space Force is a political farce.” And then she touches on the one we want to see most: “‘Silly Woman’ is about two young comedians discovering the comedy genius of funny females of the past, like Phyllis Diller and Lucille Ball. ‘Tammy's Bachelorette’ is an interactive comedy romp through a ‘Whiskey Tango’ wedding.” We think she means “white trash,” but she wouldn’t ever punch down.

“(Longtime local favorite) Tom Potter is doing a set he calls ‘The History of American Musical Humor’," she says, comparing him, a little hesitantly, to Dr. Demento. We get that one! He’ll have funny lyrics to songs we recognize.

"’What Will You’, Green says,"is a modern queer take on Shakespeare’s comedy, Twelfth Night, and, finally, ‘You've Got To Be Kidding Me’ is a live comedy podcast about carrying the emotional baggage of childhood."

If you’re reading this on Thursday, you can head over to Café Passé for a preview party from 6 to 9 p.m. Fest acts perform two-minute samples of their sets, and audience members win raffles and prizes.

Martin Luther King Day weekend

There is so much comedy headed your way, you should just block out the next two weekends. Upcoming we have an impossible choice among three top comedians plus the usual great improv shows. And from Jan. 25 through Feb. 1, every night has at least one and up to eight shows for the Tucson Comedy Crawl. It’s more than two-dozen shows, produced by and with members of Tucson’s burgeoning comedy scene, and it’s all sponsored by Tucson Weekly and Tucson Local Media.

Here’s a head start on next weekend, though, with comedy booked especially for Martin Luther King Weekend.

Matt Kearney’s LOL Jam returns to The Viscount Suites at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18. Tickets are $15, or $20 for VIP seating, via grownsexy.ticketleap.com. Rob Rodriguez hosts, reminding us once again that we don't see him often enough in Tucson. The Lineup includes BET Allstar Drew Frazer, Kool Bubba Ice and local newcomer Janize.

Laffs Comedy Caffé hosts Jon Roy for five shows the same weekend. Clever and clean, with a megawatt resume, Roy riffs like a funny best friend on cultural anomalies, dilemmas of childhood, racial tolerance and the chaos that is contemporary media. His jokes can land with impressions or inspire a song. Jimmy Calloway features. Details and tickets are at laffstucson.com/coming-soon.html.

More Comedy

Friday, Jan. 10: Standup with Tyler Boeh featuring Jeff Horste at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe ($12.50 and $17.50). Improv Happy Hour at 7:30 p.m. ($5) and The Soapbox at 9 p.m. ($7) at TIM Comedy Theatre (TIM)($10 for both shows. All shows $2 off with Cat Card). Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m. and Freeform Friday at 9 p.m., Unscrewed Theater ($5 and $8).

Saturday, Jan. 11: Standup with Phoenix prop comedian, Dan Hanson, featuring local favorite Josiah Osego opening and Nick Chant as host at 8 p.m., The O ($7 door; $10 Eventbrite. Tyler Boeh featuring Jeff Horste at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe ($12.50 and $17.50). Kids improv, F.O.M.P. (Friends of Make Pretends) at 2 p.m. at TIM Comedy Theatre ($5) Improv at 7:30 and 9 p.m. at TIM ($7, both shows for $10, $2 off with Cat Card). Improv with Unscrewed Family Hour at 6 p.m., Family Friendly NBOJU at 7:30 p.m., and NBOJU: Uncensored at 9 p.m., Unscrewed Theater ($5 and $8).

Free Open Mics

Sunday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m., The O, and 8 p.m., Chuckleheads in Bisbee.
Monday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m., Comedy at the Wench, The Surly Wench Pub.
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6:45 p.m., Neighborhood Comedy, The Music Box Lounge.
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m., The Screening Room and 8:30 p.m., The Mint.
Thursday, Jan 16. 8 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe and 8:30 p.m., Rockabilly Grill.

This installment of Ladytowne: A Tucson feminist talk/variety show features the comedy of Molly McCloy. The music of Flor de Nopal. Interviews with Nirantha Balagopal & Sophie McTear (from Groundworks) and Nelene Deguzman (of The Rifle). Plus, Darío Andrade Mendoza will speak about a recent workshop regarding the epidemic of loneliness. At Club Congress…

Eek. The Cyclops Invasion is coming. From Philly, dubstep DJ/producer Subtronics fills Gentle Ben’s with angry, bouncy robot noise…

This burgeoning saxophonist has been described as a “passionate, humble and captivating jazz musician.” The Autumn Dominguez Quintet performs in Geronimo Plaza at Main Gate Square…

Looking for something a little off the beaten path? The ninth annual Tucson Fringe Festival kicks off tonight. This year’s fest includes 22 shows ranging from aerial dance performances, sketch comedy, unscripted storytelling y mas. Runs through Jan. 12. See tucsonfringe.org for all the details…

“You keep your mind on the money/Keeping your eyes on the wall.” Covering a career that spanned five decades, Private Dancer: A Tribute to Tina Turner slink into the Casino Del Sol…

Electronically looping together snippets of funk, rap, jazz and R&B, multi-instrumentalist Mik Garrison performs at Arizona Beer House…

A taste of Spain in downtown Tucson? Alternating weekly, singer-songwriters Amanda Rochelle and Natalie Pohanic shall serenade for Tapas & Tonics. In the lounge at the AC Hotel Tucson…

Oro Valley 2nd Thursdays Concert Series presents, “Wild Women,” vocalist Diane Van Deurzen and pianist Lisa Otey. They will perform hot jazz, sultry blues and boogie woogie. At Oro Valley Marketplace…

Featuring pianist Doug Martin and upright bassist Scott Black, The Jed Paradies Trio play bossa novas, ballads and blues. At The Coronet…

Friday, Jan. 3

Not for the faint of heart: Sonoran Violence is a hardcore punk festival. This year features performances by Infest (one of the pioneers of the extremely dissonant/fast powerviolence subgenre), Iron Lung (purveyors in destructive hardcore), Sex Prisoner (Tucson hardcore/powerviolence punks) and more. At Club Congress...

Succeeded by a dust-up at Owls Clubs. Sonoran Violence After-Party features: Arizona hardcorists Get A Grip, Concrete Evidence and Lychee (Phoenix emo/punk/garage rockers). DJs Castle, Freak and Nitro throw down...

Hailing from Guadalajara, indie rock songstress—and founder of the Now Girls Rule movement in Mexico intended to inspire women in the arts—Elis Paprika & The Black Pilgrims play at The Boxyard. Local cumbiancheros Santa Pachita round out the night...

Ready to rock yo' body, Cra$h Magic's repertoire covers a lot of ground, except "probably, not country or zydeco." At Crooked Tooth Brewing Co...

Here is a kid-friendly event. Dance to the uncategorizable world beat music of Baba Marimba imbued with a very special ingredient: Joy. At Monterey Court...

An undoubtedly 21+ event. Centennial Celebration: 100 Years of Tease strips away the past to welcome the next gen. Ms. Trixie Phillips has assembled a sensational cast—Stormy Leigh, Nikki Riot, Bunny Boom Boom and many others—to recap the decades from the 1920s to the present day through the art of striptease…At Surly Wench.

The Kinda Cool Quintet plays brisk post-war jazz sorta awesomely. At The Dusty Monk Pub…

Local imprint Diet Pop Records presents a House Party showcasing the talent of candy-coated punk poppers Big Bad, the intersectional bummer pop of California’s Sarchasm and the punk ’n’ roll of teen sensations Stripes. “It’s at a house. So be cool...”

Resident DJs W3$T Friday and Elektra Tek host some of the Old Pueblo’s top and up-and-coming turntablists. Funk Yo House Fridays goes off at Irene’s Holy Donuts…

Tattered and Torn, Black Cat Bones strew their “Dead Broke Blues” at Chicago Bar…

House beats meets whiskey and donut pairings? Yes. It’s delish. Beatz & Sweetz hosted by DJ Nic, finds Phatal, DJ Hart and ZAW spinning a baker’s dozen of the freshest house music. First Fridays at Batch Cafe & Bar…

Diminutive but mighty. Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk invites all to come get “boogie oogie oogie till you just can’t boogie no more.” At Sand-Reckoner…

Saturday, Jan. 4

Experience your favorite bands in a different way. It’s time again for The 27th Annual Wooden Ball. Your chance to see some of Tucson’s finest—Sweet Ghosts, Bekkah Rolland, Billy Sedlmayr, Chris Holiman, David Slutes & Robin Johnson, Joe Peña & Joe Novelli, Josh Brown, Katie Haverly, Little Cloud, Mute Swan and Rough Draft—stripped down to naked (Er, well almost) and unplugged. At Club Congress…

And, if your efforts to ring out the old were indefatigable—killin’ ‘em like a rockstar—you may need a little hair of the dog. 80’s Hangover features Cured, Arena, Blonde Day and Careless Whisper paying tribute to the music of The Cure, Duran Duran, Blondie and George Michael & Wham. Break out a can of Aqua Net and kohl eyeliner. At The Rialto Theatre…

Some say he was born a country outlaw with a classic rock attitude, Caiden Brewer shimmies and sways in the Paradiso Lounge at Casino Del Sol…

Like the title of her 2017 album announces, Ven y Baila, tejano singer Natajja welcomes all to come out and dance. In the Tropico Lounge at Casino Del Sol…

Folk harp and viola delicately commingle to arrive at a mysterious landing. Mariah McCammond and Deanna Cross are The Hatpin Duo. In the tasting room at Sand-Reckoner…

Holding steady after 34 years, reggae institution Neon Prophet demonstrate just “How The West Was Won.” At Chicago Bar. DJ Papa Ranger mans the decks between sets…

Sunday, Jan. 5

Before coming to America, as one-half of French avant-pop outfit Amor-Belhom Duo, this accomplished guitarist started out on the Parisian underground punk scene. Gabriel Naim Amor performs the more introspective, jazzier side of his repertoire. At The Coronet…

Known for her prodigious electric and acoustic violin work, soulful blues belter Heather “Lil’ Mama” Hardy performs at Chicago Bar

Filled with glitches and sonic abstractions, like the movement of fluttering butterfly wings that a camera shutter cannot quite capture, his latest release, Prelude, takes a decidedly different approach. The effect is disquieting. Nightmare or a lullaby? One is never quite sure. Brian Lopez returns to Club Congress. The Senators open the show...

Deepening the sense of foreboding that a shift in the balance of power could bring. Or perhaps providing necessary release? Demon Tongue, Exit Dream, Midnight Island, Sworn Apart, For or Against, Ash To Dust and Stands With Fists help Bang In The New Year. At the Rialto Theatre...

Promulgating the same revolutionary political views that won RATM legions of fans. Clenching a "Fistful of Steel," Testify, a tribute to Rage Against the Machine, aim to "Take the Power Back." At 191 Toole. Drawing first blood, Knife Party pay sanguine salute to the music of the Deftones...

Fineline Revisited happens at the Surly Wench Pub. DJ Stubbie keeps the infamy alive and kicking...

DJ Mijito presides over NITECALL: QG. A queer goth dance party. At R Bar...

Electronic folk poppers Sharkk Heart create songs for hopeless romantics with teeth, natch. At Saint Charles Tavern...

You wanna rock? The Dirt: An '80s hair metal tribute band will slay. At The Rock. Solid Ground bolsters the line-up...

From Durango, Colorado, J-Calvin deliver a potent mix of neo-soul/funk. Flanked by the punk-funk of Tongs and the indie-electro of Jillian Bessett. At Sky Bar...

Saturday, Dec. 28

Faithfully reproducing the sound of these country rock icons at the peak of their success—as well as select titles from the solo works of Don Henley, Glen Frey, and Joe Walsh—Hotel California: A Salute to The Eagles will "Take It To The Limit" one more time. At the Rialto Theatre...

Growing up in Nogales, AZ, bandleader Sergio Mendoza jostled between the psychological spaces created as bicultural identities form—germane to life in the borderland. Orkesta Mendoza and Bye Bye Lullaby (from Spain) share the stage. Rumba Catalan takes place at Club Congress...

Ring out 2019. Breaking Glass hosts a pre-game—showcasing new material and "a couple of weirdo cover tunes"—at Saint Charles Tavern...

Latin groove masters Santa Pachita make things move. At Monterey Court. Wear your dancing shoes...

Gipsy Pirate Octopi is a wife and husband duo of Margarita Brosova and Tony Rosano. "I play accordion and sing, Tony plays the piano and baritone. We have tunes in Russian and English and some other languages." Experience a Russian Christmas in the Red Light Lounge at The Downtown Clifton Hotel...

"Fresh off months of touring," Howe Gelb, Annie Dolan, Thøger Lund and Tommy Larkins promise an evening with zero mistakes and absolute pure perfect noise. At El Crisol (formerly Exo Bar). "Bring your Aunt Sally..."

Sunday, Dec. 29

¡Vamos a Guarachar! "As punk as the Sex Pistols and as violent as Perez Prado." Mambo Clásico sees indie mambo king's Orkesta Mendoza celebrate their 10th Anniversary with a gran fiesta. At Club Congress. Salvador Duran & Friends add appreciably to the festivities...

Drawing from a rich treasure trove of musical history: Peruvian, Mexican and with origins in other Latin American countries. Tradiciones tell the story in melody. At The Coronet...

Guitarist Eugene Boronow performs a lovely set of bossa nova y mas. At Public Brewhouse...

Most funny for your money

Laff’s Comedy Caffe is the place for the that New Year’s date: fancy dinner, champagne and a show to help count down the old year, then home in time to cuddle up and watch the fireworks around the world. Or hit the late show for champagne and sweets with your sweetie. Or your Meetup Group or your homies or BFFs. Entertainer Ron Feingold couldn’t be a better choice for an evening everybody wants to leave happy.

A Feingold show is literally all things to all people. He has movie-star looks and swagger but can sing like Kermit the Frog with a vocal technique that makes it sound like a duet. All his impressions are spot on, and his observations craftily twisted.

He can mix things up with intelligent innuendo and a remarkably sophisticated dick joke, when the occasion permits. His website includes clips of his original songs, F-You Button and Prostate. And yet, his career cornerstone is as a comedian and emcee for squeaky clean conference formats. He also offers his own conference presentation, The Power of the Smile, which combines his music and comedy with an almost scholarly grasp of how smiling affects life and work.

Feingold has been acting since he was 10, mostly in musical comedies. By the time he was in college, he was leveraging his comedy theatre experience into a standup career. He became a licensed pilot and earned a psychology degree, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. His life since then has been a steady stream of comedy clubs, cruise ships and corporate events.

Showtimes are 7:30 for the dinner show and 9 p.m. for the dessert bar. Admission is $30 plus drinks, tax and gratuities. Visit laffstucson.com/newyears or call for information and reservations.

TIM’s Year-End Laugh Out

Wear your ugly holiday sweater one last time at Tucson Improv Movement on New Year’s Eve. It’s good for $1 off beer, wine and White Claw all night, and the theater has stocked champagne for the occasion.

TIM’s intimate, 45-seat theater can be cozy like a party with friends. Its New Year’s events have sold out in years past. Tickets are $10 for two shows, 7:30 and 9 p.m., or $7 each. Advance reservations are via squareup.com or tucsonimprov.com.

The evening’s entertainment, New Year, Who ‘Dis, features a 7:30 extravaganza of 16 ugly-sweater-clad, top TIM improvisers playing for audience interaction and laughs-per-minute. At 9 p.m., TIM’s premier team, The Soapbox, will riff on stories told by five of the most popular monologists who performed with them in 2019.

To help give the year a laugh-loaded send-off, the team welcomes back TIM member and producer of Keep Tucson Sketchy Rich Gary, Unscrewed Theatre member and standup comedian Allana Erickson-Lopez, fashion designer Carmen Melero, founder of the Tucson Fringe Festival Maryann Green and journalist, crime reporter and author, AJ Flick.

Last laughs for 2019 at Hotel McCoy

Hotel McCoy’s popular free monthly comedy showcase, Last Friday, Last Laughs, wraps up its first year with a great local lineup from 8 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27. Full houses have been the rule lately, so plan to arrive early for seating. Pinche’s food truck will be on hand for dinner.

The lineup includes Autumn Horvat, Kev Lee, Dom DiTolla, David Ross, Eli Turner, Paul Fox, Andrea Salazar and Monte Benjamin. Visiting former Tucsonan Noah Copfer rounds out the bill. Copfer now plies his comedy and acting skills in L.A., but apparently returns for holidays. He also stopped in for The Mint open mic over Thanksgiving weekend.

After the show at Hotel McCoy, you can head on over to SkyBar for …

What Really Happened?

Josiah Osego and Alex Kack return to SkyBar for another edition of What Really Happened from 9:30 to 11 p.m., Friday, December 27. The original show invites standup comedians to tell five short stories each, and then let the audience decide which one is not true. Winning audience members get prizes and discounts with their bragging rights.

This month’s comedians include Bisbee comic and open mic host Maggie O’Shea, newcomer Abigail Chesney and up and comers Jesus Otamendi, Tim Maggard and Nick Chant.

Even More Laughs

Friday, Dec. 27, Standup with Ron Feingold at 8 and 10:30 p.m. ($12.50 and $17.50), Laffs Comedy Caffe. Improv with The Riveters, Portmansplain and Choice Cut at 7:30 p.m., and The Soapbox at 9 p.m. ($5), Tucson Improv Movement (TIM). Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m. ($5 and $8) and Free Form Friday Fight Night, 9 p.m.(free), Unscrewed Theater.

Saturday, Dec. 28, Standup with Ron Feingold at 7 and 9:30 p.m. ($12.50 and $17.50), Laffs Comedy Caffe, and comedian-magician Rod Wayne at 8 p.m. ($10 via Eventbrite, $15 at the door), The O. Improv with Laugh Tracks and The Game Show Show at 7:30 p.m., and The Dating Scene and Pilot Season at 9 p.m. ($5) TIM. Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m. Uncensored improv with NBOJU at 9 p.m. ($5 and $8), Unscrewed Theater.

Free Open Mics

Sunday, Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m., The O, and 8 p.m., Chuckleheads in Bisbee.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 7 p.m., The Screening Room.
Thursday, Jan. 2, 8 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe, and 8:30 p.m., Rockabilly Grill.

Five years deep. Members past and present of Steff & the Articles, Kool Shades and Lucky Devils Rendezvous annually for a one-off gig uniquely covering their favorite songs—from reggae to jazz to EDM. Anything goes. At Club Congress...

The core of motley crew that oversee this zydeco-tinged, accordion-fueled Tex-Mexican bacchanal on occasion splinter-off. The Carnivaleros, with special guest Tommy Larkins, promise a special post-Christmas brouhaha, sans menudo. At Public Brewhouse...

In the tradition of Bob Wills and Earl Scruggs, bluegrass and western institution, The Titan Valley Warheads are coming out to play. At Monterey Court...

Friday, Dec. 20

A Night for Amy sees some of Tucson’s finest—Katie Haverly, Brittany Katter, Lola Torch, Naim Amor, Tom Walbank, Thøger Lund, Dimitri Manos and Ben Nisbet—perform the songs of Amy Winehouse for a cause. At 191 Toole. All proceeds to benefit Southern Arizona Aids Foundation’s Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th…

Club ’90s LA presents Selena Night. Dance to the Queen of Tejano projected on giant video screens with other ’90s and Latin anthems mashed into the mix. Dance at the Rialto Theatre…

Celebrating the video release of “Riding the Storm,” country-infused rocker Armando Moreno & The Southern Revival are at Thunder Canyon Brewstillery. Sharing a similar bent, special guests Crooked Saints join in the revelry…

Something different? Requinto urbano is an emergent acoustic style that marries norteño folk to gritty urban lyrics. Herencia de Patrones are at Club 4th Avenue…

Crossing genres, singer-songwriters Mark Anthony Febbo & Oscar Fuentes play a mix of original acoustic guitar-driven tunes and obscure covers. At Westbound…

Fifty years after the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots—a historic uprising against police harassment that launched the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement—Super Gay Party Machine promises “the gayest, danciest, drinkiest party in town.” Join the rainbow riot at Club Congress…

Heartbreaker, soul shaker, Miss Olivia & the Interlopers add warmth to a brisk night. In the tasting room at Sand-Reckoner…

Comprised of outstanding high school musicians, Tucson Jazz Institute’s Ellington Big Band perform at Tohono Chul’s Holiday Nights…

Led by vocalist Amy Virnelson, Soul Essentials perform classic and modern R&B and soul. At Monterey Court…

Tracing back the roots of country music from the verdant trails of Appalachia to the gritty streets of Bakersfield, Freddy Parish hosts Dry ’n’ Dusty at El Crisol (formerly Exo Bar)…

Let the gathering commence. Legion: A dark dance experience sees DJ Black Flagg dropping industrial, EBM and synth-pop bombs. At the Surly Wench Pub…

There is a low hum moving through the Earth. Newcomers The Disappearance will be at Saint Charles Tavern. But are they real?…

Saturday, Dec. 21

Their resumes read like a rock ’n’ Roll Who’s Who: Carmine Appice’s includes work with Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Ozborne and others. Vinny Appice pounded pagan skins for Black Sabbath, Ronnie James Dio, Rick Derringer and John Lennon, to name a few. Two of the world’s iconic drummers, The Appice Brothers share the stage with Southern rockers Blackfoot. At EncoreTucson…

Backed by an all-star lineup, singer/guitarist David Broza returns to the Fox Theatre with a panoply of Israeli and Spanish-infused songs to spread the universal language of peace, love and understanding…

Commingling the improvisational spirit of psychedelic and prog rock with elements of EDM, The Bennu—led by vocalist Vasanta Weiss—promises to take you on a journey of mystical exploration. At 191 Toole. Up first, Legion of Mario sets the tone…

This Canadian bluesman has been hailed as a “blues evangelist.” He kinda agrees: “I do feel like I’m a servant of the people. A missionary if you will. Music can heal if they pay attention to the messages in these songs.” Harpdog Brown brings his latest, For Love & Money, to the Monterey Court…

Music. Food. Clothing. Good Vibes. The UA African Studies Department presents The Sixth Annual Deejays Against Hunger: Feed The Homeless Concert. Featuring sets by some of The Old Pueblo’s finest turntablists. At Armory Park…

Amidst the glow of a million twinkling teeny-tiny lights, stroll the garden paths while Dos Sueños, Gus Woodrow Trio, Gabriel Ayala and Cirque Roots perform. Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul Park…

“Deep in the Heart of Christmas,” The Texas Tenors sleigh ride into town. Joining the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in a heartwarming holiday concert. At the Tucson Convention Center…

Emerging in 2004 from Tucson’s subterranean pools of talent, award-winning Americana singer-songwriter/storyteller Kevin Pakulis and his Band take Che’s Lounge by storm…

Spinning the best of Southern hip-hop, DJs Jahmar and Quise pay Tribute to Pimp C. At Mr. Head’s Art Gallery and Bar…

Spanning the Americas, an evening of Latin American music with Tradiciones unfolds in melody. At El Crisol (formerly Exo Bar)…

Soul and Americana duo, Dan & Ocean are traversing the country in support of their latest EP The Coronado Kid, Pt. 1 (original motion picture soundtrack). They make a stop at Sand-Reckoner…

Die Hard: The holiday edition of the ’80s dance party perdures. At the Surly Wench Pub. DJ NoirTech is behind the tables…

Entertaining the throngs at the Winterhaven Festival of Lights with the unique sound of the Caribbean, the award-winning Jovert Steel Drum Ensemble from Tucson High Magnet School rock the eighth annual Winterhaven Concert…

Here is your chance to meet your favorite KTDT 99.1 FM DJ. In a special after-hours event, Downtown Radio’s Holiday Fiesta takes place at Rocco’s Little Chicago Pizzeria. DoctorSlow and other KTDT DJs man the decks into the night…

Sunday, Dec. 22

It’s time once again. Eric Dupree aka EZ Goin brings together some of T-Town’s brightest hip-hop and R&B acts—Aske, Vinney Mendez, Tommy Will, Big and Trahma—to raise money for a local charity. The 3rd Annual Black Heart Charity Show shines at 191 Toole. Proceeds and donations to benefit St. Francis Homeless Shelter…

After a long hiatus, Romo Tonight Live submarines at Thunder Canyon Brewstillery. Comedy—Mo Urban, Jericho Davidson, Ben Forbes and others—backed by the best house band “in the known universe,” Dirty P and the Thunderchiefs. As if that were not enough, usually shirtless, underwear clad, pot-bellied and always raunchy, The Pangs drop the wrecking ball to close the night…

Known for a cappella renditions of Disney and Broadway hits, Voctave—an 11-member vocal group from Central Florida—promise to add magic to the holidays. At the Fox Theatre…

DJ Mijito, with guest Robertitx, drop the needle on a stack of sides: ’90s, early ’00s, R&B, rap and hip-hop. It all goes down After Dark at Passé…

Performing on tiny keyboards, musical instruments and non-instruments both variegated and amusing—Thøger Lund, Dimitri Manos and Jeff Grubic—SRS (Spontaneous Response Squadron) explore ambient improvisation. With special guest Ry Warner sitting in on guitar. At Owls Club…

Honoring the solstice (and youth run riot), Winter Kickoff is an all ages event featuring Somniac, The Sinks, Alien Jacket, Zenny Cake, Carnival and Rough Draft. At Club Congress…

Fusing traditional and modern bluegrass and country, classic and indie rock, folk and Americana, October Intuition are in the lounge at The Royal Sun…

Be prepared to dance with abandon. Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk play “Sonoran Soul” music. At Public Brewhouse…

The Holiday Spectacular at Saint Charles Tavern features The Diatones, Just Najima, Silver Cloud Express, Keli Carpenter and Miss Olivia and The Interlopers…

The Tucson Jazz Institute’s Winter Big Band Bash finds guest artist/esteemed vocalist Joe Bourne returning to sing Nat King Cole classics from Orange Colored Sky, as recorded by the TJI Ellington Big Band. At the Berger Performing Arts Center…

The haunted, found sound experimentalism meets traditional song structure of composer Karima Walker wafts mysteriously through the wintery air at The Coronet…