Thursday, November 10, 2016
The Weekly List: 26 Things To Do In Tucson In The Next 10 Days
Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo.
Pick of the Week: The Loft Film Fest
The Loft Film Fest continues! Whether you're in the mood for watching an anxious papa hire an “industrial-grade exorcist” or you’re fascinated the eventful and unorthodox life of Pablo Neruda, there’s something worth seeing at the Loft Cinema’s (3233 E. Speedway Blvd.) continuing movie fiesta. Make sure you catch at least one show before the festival’s curtain call on Sunday, Nov. 13. Individual tickets are $10 (or $8 for Loft members).
Some highlights:
Ghostbusters on film: If you're feeling a little nostalgic and are still in the mood for some post-Halloween spooks, of if the female led Ghostbusters has you itching to see the original then check out The Loft Cinema's special screening of the cult classic Ghostbusters on 77 mm film. This event is part of The Loft's 2016 film festival and will feature the real-life Arizona Ghostbusters. This is an all-ages event. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith is a film that details the photographs and tapes by photojournalist W. Eugene Smith of the jazz late night jazz peformances and recordings in his Sixth Avenue loft, so much so that it was renamed the “Jazz Loft”. This is first film to make use of Smith’s vast collection of 4,000 hours of audiotape and 40,000 photographs from the Jazz Loft. The directors Sara Fishko will be at the Loft Cinema so come on down and ask her a question, after watching her film of course! 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
Watch The Martian with Mark Kelly: Close out the Loft Film Fest with a screening of The Martian, the fictional account of Mark Watney (Matt Damon) surviving on Mars after bening presumed dead and abandoned by his crew. Enjoy a bonus film intro and post-movie discussion with Tucson's favorite spaceman, Mark Kelly. When the discussion wraps up, stick around and eat some cake to celebrate the Loft's 44th birthday.
Food & Booze
A Tucson Thanksgiving Demonstration Class and Dinner: Thanksgiving is coming early this year! Head over to The Carriage House if you're anxious to show off in two weeks—and eat something delicious this weekend. Chef Janos Wilder who will offer one of his most popular classes featuring some of his favorite dishes in a southwestern style: roast turkey adobado with smoked poblano, portobello stuffing, whole turkey stuffed under the skin, cornbread, smoked and poblano chilies. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 The Carriage House Tucson 125 S. Arizona Avenue. $80+ per person food.
Sweet Charity Dessert and Cocktail Challenge: Enjoy more than 40 desserts that represent Tucson's creative culinary arts from local chefs. There will be cocktails, beer and wine samplings, a silent auction, merchant specials and entertainment and all proceeds go to support arts education. 6:30 PM Friday, Nov. 18 Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive $45.
Dance
Artifact Dance Project and Tesoro: For three days only, Tucson's only contemporary dance company will team up with the local, latin-jazz band Tesero in a night of firey dance and music. The show is the second in the company's four-concert season and will be at their downtown studio from Nov. 11 - 13. Limited space is available for this all-ages concert. Nov. 11-12 7:30 p.m., Nov. 13 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 - Sunday, Nov. 13 Artifact Dance Project Studios, 17 E. Toole Ave. $20.
Ballet Tucson Opening Night Gala: Enjoy a night of fine dance from Tucson's own professional ballet company. Ballet Tucson will old it's annual opening day gala. The gala will feature a pre-performance wine and buffet reception, silent auction and a post-performance champange reception with the cast. The company will premiere two new ballets: Spirit Garden and Perseus and Andromeda at this one-night-only event. Gala Reception - 6:30 p.m., Performance - 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. $100 per person.
Estampas Porteñas: Deseos: This Argentinian tango company will take to the UA's Cenntenial Hall to present their new dance production, Deseos...Stories of Longing and Desire told through Argentine Tang and Music. The set will include 25 dancers moving to show the "heart and soul" of Argentina. The performance will also include on-stage 3D projections to take to audience across Argentina. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $20 - $55.
Community
Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony: The American Legion Post 7 hosts the 97th annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony in downtown Tucson on Friday starting at Granada and Alameda. Come join the fun and celebrate Veterans Day with friends, families and other Tucson citizens! There is free parking during the parade at the City/State Garage at 498 W. Congress Street Staging: 8:30 a.m., Show: 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Downtown Tucson. Free.
GABA Fall Bike Swap Meet: The Greater Arizona Bicycling Association is holding its annual bike swap meet, located on four blocks (closed off to car traffic, naturally) and centered at 7th Street in downtown Tucson. Meet other cyclists while shopping for deals on bike parts and accessories. This is the largest bicycle swap in the southwest attracting more than 5,000 attendees and 30 vendors bi-annually. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 Downtown Tucson (between 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue). Free.
VintagePalooza!: Cat Mountain Station holds an autumn marketplace of local vendors offering a selection of vintage items and antiques for sale, including clothing, furniture, bakelite, home goods, vintage art, and more. There will also be live music and other forms of entertainment to enjoy while shopping! 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. Cat Mountain Station, 2740 S. Kinney Road. Free.
Harvest Heritage Festival: Join the Town of Oro Valley for the Harvest Heritage Festival at Steam Pump Ranch. This family-friendly event will include a petting zoo, live music from more then 10 acts, arts and crafts for the kids and food from local businesses! 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 10901 N. Oracle Rd. Free festival, music, community
¡Not Our President! Rally Against President-Elect Donald Trump: Well, either way this election went, there were going to be some really pissed off voters. If you count yourself among the disheartened, the disappointed or the down right incredulous, your people are gathering at Armory Park this weekend. Bring your protest signs and, of course, your compassion. 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Armory Park, 221 S. Sixth Ave.
Comedy
Tucson Comedy Arts Festival: In need of a good laugh? Well, the Tucson Improv Momevent is here to bring you a whole weekend that will have you rolling on the floor. The 2nd Annual Tucson Comedy Arts Festival will feature improv comedy, stand up, hip-hop, and storytelling. With four nights of hilarity and amusement, everyone is bound to find something that tickles their fancy. Nov. 9- 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10- 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11- 6 p.m. Nov. 12- 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Saturday, Nov. 12 TIM Comedy Theater, 329 East 7th St. There are fees if you want to participate in workshops.
FST!: Tucson’s crazy-popular story-telling event FST! is temporarily changing format, and inviting the community to come together and share anecdotes and thoughts In the aftermath of the election.. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16. The Flycatcher, 340 E. Sixth St.
Post-Election Laffs: “It keeps me out of therapy,” Auggie Smith says of his emotionally energetic performance style. “I spent the first 10 years of my career where they wouldn’t turn off the pool tables and nobody paid a cover. I learned I had to be really, really loud, then really soft for no reason. And stop in the middle of sentences so they’d wonder what I was talking about. Then I started writing that way and enjoying it a lot more.” Smith makes his much-anticipated annual appearance at Laffs Comedy Caffé, this weekend, with shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12. Admission is $10 to $15 with a two-item minimum. Make reservations online.
Music
Gogol Bordello: Gogol Bordello’s so-called gypsy punk twists ears. It’s a multi-gender, multi-ethnic danceable din that’s filled with sweat-soaked sexuality and boozed-up delights. It’s an East clashes with West mix of punked-out Ukrainian and Romani folk, pub chants, Jamaican dub, Slavic accordion and violins, purposely grating noisescapes, and the occasional Yiddish anthem. There’s even guitar-heroics that Sex Pistol Steve Jones digs. GB’s Russian-born singer Eugene Hütz grew up learning much of his English listening to The Pogues, so there’s plenty of quasi-political and poetical sad-drunk fist-raisers, and some songs even mourn dying drinking traditions and ghosts of folkloric heroes. But you’d never tell because there’s so much celebration going on. They pack houses the world over, are downright huge in Turkey, and some audiences have even been known to bust out the Korobushka! Monday, Nov. 14 at the Rialto Theater, 318 E, Congress. $30-$45. All ages.
Lindsey Stirling: This lovely, Cali-born, classically trained violinist grew up in Gilbert, Ariz. and hit huge mainly on the strength of YouTube—more than 675 million views (!?) and counting. Her concert tours do huge business, and her records actually sell really stinking well (gold in many countries), and all chart high in the states. But Stirling might’ve flown completely under the radar had the old major record label system been in place. In 2010 she was called “the hip-hop violinist” on America’s Got Talent, and everything started there. Now she masterfully blends soaring violin, orchestral mannerisms, EDM, fusion and cunning songcraft with massive choruses, and it’s not genre-specific at all. On stage she taps into an audience’s desire for fantasy and incorporates animation, dancers and surreal imagery. With The Federal Empire, Friday, Nov. 11, 8 p.m. Centennial Hall, 1020 University Blvd. All ages. $29.50-$59.50.
Same Sex Mary : Tucson could be a second home for Same Sex Mary, the biggest thing to come out of Boulder City, Nevada since that town’s team won the Almost Anything Goes national championship (on ABC!) in 1975. SSM recorded two albums at Tucson’s Wavelab Studios since 2013, and their scuffy-boot garage-psych-soul reveals record collections stocked with Question Mark & the Mysterians (dig Svetelina Stefanova’s Farfisa organ), The Seeds (dig the sometimes vulnerable bark of singer James Adams, who often sounds like he’s channeling Sky Saxon), and X (Stefanova and Adams singing together sound like a youthful John Doe and Exene). Songs like the boy-girl answer-back “I Don’t Wanna Wait” show quiet depth while detailing a sour relationship, and “Sex Bruise (Common Theif)” thumps like a headboard against a bedroom wall before climaxing on rising organ and guitar swirls. Neat! With Tucson’s mighty Lenguas Largas and Whoops on Friday, Nov. 11 at 9 p.m. The Flycatcher, 340 E. 6th St. $6. 21+.
Dirt Friends: This dreamy Tucson quintet invites quick comparisons to Band of Horses, sometimes because of the vocals and melodies, but deeper listens reveal lots of pop signposts—from Sou Cal psych (up through early ’70s Beach Boys) to shoegaze (Slowdive and Lush) to UK indie pop (Wild Swans). Their new album, Sunsets & Night Sweats (released the Old Pueblo’s quickly rising Commercial Appeal Records) sings from top to bottom; songs gently hum and sting on echoed, jangly guitars and melancholy melodies. With Down and Outlaws, and M. Crane on Thursday, Nov.17 at 9 p.m. The Flycatcher, 340 E. 6th St. $6. 21+.
Jesse & Joy: This Mexico City brother and sister duo blend soothing harmonies, acoustic and electric rock, and soaring soundscapes with Latin styles and traditional pop songcraft, complete with lyrics in Spanish and English. The siblings share lead vocal duties, and harmonize with aplomb and grace. They’re huge in Mexico, Spain and South America and their profile has been rising steadily stateside since their 2006 debut album. They’ve nabbed four Grammys, and the duo’s latest album, Un Besito Más, peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Latin charts earlier this year. Sunday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m. The Rialto, 318 E. Congress. $35-$150. All Ages.
UA Presents Saxophonist Boney James: UA Presents Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum selling saxophone player, Boney James, to the Fox Tucson Theatre on Nov. 10. James is from New York and is known for his traditional smooth jazz and a mastery of modern pop music styles. 7:30 PM Thursday, Nov. 10. Fox Tucson Theatre, 7 W. Congress Street. $15-$129.
Har Mar Superstar: Dude may resemble a younger Ron Jeremy, and he may have a gift of celebrity staying power, but there’s never any doubt that the irrepressible Har Mar Superstar (aka Sean Tillmann) has listened to lots of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Motown and maybe even Scott Walker. For a white guy, he’s got a ton of soul in his voice—and that same kind of romantic quality the aforementioned guys had—whether he’s singing over a live R&B band or atop a bed of synths and beats. It’s a pretty remarkable voice, even when offering up purposely hamfisted lyrics. The Minnesota-weaned Superstar, whose debut album dropped in 2000, is touring in support of his latest, Best Summer Ever (on Julian Casablanca’s Cut Records), which we here at the Tucson Weekly recommend highly. With Tickle Torture, Velvet Negron and Asian Fred at 8 p.m. 191 Toole, 191 Toole Ave. $12. 21+.
Dirtwire: This highly listenable combo mixes sounds and influences from a wealth of traditional instruments (violins and ilimbas to pandeiros and berimbaus) and music from America, South America, Africa and Asia. It’s a musical ecology filled with glorious drones, rising dynamics and hypnotic orchestrations, all culled from many eras and modes. The group—featuring David Satori from Beats Antique and Evan Fraser from Stellamara—mix up this sonic medicine into something they call “a post-millennial psychedelic journey to downhome goodness.” And that pretty much sums it up. Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Galactic Center 35 E. Toole Ave., $15.
Mac Miller at The Rialto: The Indie rapper turned self-made record producer will take the stage of the Rialto on Nov. 15. Mac Miller first signed on with Rostrum Records back in 2010 and topped charts with his debut album Blue Side Park. Since then, Miller released three albums, his most recent being The Devine Feminine that dropped on Sept. 16. 7 - 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. $33-$36 music.
Big Band Boogie at The Fox: Celebrate Veteran's Day by attending the Big Band Boogie at the Fox Theatre. Embrace your patriotic side as the The American Bombshells and The Phat Cat Swinger sing the night away to a slew of patriotic tunes. 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Fox Tucson Theatre,
17 W. Congress. $25.
Easy Money: This new Arizona thrash band has been taking names and kicking total ass since debuting early this year. Their shows are sick and packed—they’re able to turn even mild crowds into out-of-control mosh pits. The band’s 2016 EP, Midas Touch, sounds like a hardcore combo that's been together years, filled with requisite youthful anger, doom and down-tuned thunder that recalls everything from Alice In Chains to Biohazard to Machine Head. And the frontman is one of those authentic metal shouters who frightens parents and little children! With Inequity, No Altars, Easy Money, Shame, Arm's Reach, BarbarianTX, Liar's Tongue, Supreme Verdict, Iron Curtain, Elephant Skin, Blackened, and more, on Saturday, Nov. 19 at The Southwest United Fest. The Rat Trap, 3042 N Stone Ave. Show starts a 4 p.m. All Ages.
Jill Cohn: This Seattle-based singer-songwriter has a voice that’d woo fans of greats like Sheryl Crow or Joni Mitchell or Emmylou Harris. Once she hooks listeners with that voice, her songs engage with stories of her life and topics ranging from lost love to spiritual growth to rescue dogs. Indeed, Cohn’s easy pop and folk-rock couples nicely with summer sunsets and candlelit dinners, as well as an easy night out at a club, but there’s some gentle wisdom and sadness in a lot of of her work. She been touring, releasing albums and earning fans, one at time, since 1999, and her tunes have been used on TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and Hawthorne. Friday, Nov. 18 at El Saguarito Mexican Food, 1763 East Prince Road. 6:30 p.m. All Ages. Free show.
Pick of the Week: The Loft Film Fest
The Loft Film Fest continues! Whether you're in the mood for watching an anxious papa hire an “industrial-grade exorcist” or you’re fascinated the eventful and unorthodox life of Pablo Neruda, there’s something worth seeing at the Loft Cinema’s (3233 E. Speedway Blvd.) continuing movie fiesta. Make sure you catch at least one show before the festival’s curtain call on Sunday, Nov. 13. Individual tickets are $10 (or $8 for Loft members).
Some highlights:
Ghostbusters on film: If you're feeling a little nostalgic and are still in the mood for some post-Halloween spooks, of if the female led Ghostbusters has you itching to see the original then check out The Loft Cinema's special screening of the cult classic Ghostbusters on 77 mm film. This event is part of The Loft's 2016 film festival and will feature the real-life Arizona Ghostbusters. This is an all-ages event. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith is a film that details the photographs and tapes by photojournalist W. Eugene Smith of the jazz late night jazz peformances and recordings in his Sixth Avenue loft, so much so that it was renamed the “Jazz Loft”. This is first film to make use of Smith’s vast collection of 4,000 hours of audiotape and 40,000 photographs from the Jazz Loft. The directors Sara Fishko will be at the Loft Cinema so come on down and ask her a question, after watching her film of course! 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
Watch The Martian with Mark Kelly: Close out the Loft Film Fest with a screening of The Martian, the fictional account of Mark Watney (Matt Damon) surviving on Mars after bening presumed dead and abandoned by his crew. Enjoy a bonus film intro and post-movie discussion with Tucson's favorite spaceman, Mark Kelly. When the discussion wraps up, stick around and eat some cake to celebrate the Loft's 44th birthday.
Food & Booze
A Tucson Thanksgiving Demonstration Class and Dinner: Thanksgiving is coming early this year! Head over to The Carriage House if you're anxious to show off in two weeks—and eat something delicious this weekend. Chef Janos Wilder who will offer one of his most popular classes featuring some of his favorite dishes in a southwestern style: roast turkey adobado with smoked poblano, portobello stuffing, whole turkey stuffed under the skin, cornbread, smoked and poblano chilies. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 The Carriage House Tucson 125 S. Arizona Avenue. $80+ per person food.
Sweet Charity Dessert and Cocktail Challenge: Enjoy more than 40 desserts that represent Tucson's creative culinary arts from local chefs. There will be cocktails, beer and wine samplings, a silent auction, merchant specials and entertainment and all proceeds go to support arts education. 6:30 PM Friday, Nov. 18 Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive $45.
Dance
Artifact Dance Project and Tesoro: For three days only, Tucson's only contemporary dance company will team up with the local, latin-jazz band Tesero in a night of firey dance and music. The show is the second in the company's four-concert season and will be at their downtown studio from Nov. 11 - 13. Limited space is available for this all-ages concert. Nov. 11-12 7:30 p.m., Nov. 13 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 - Sunday, Nov. 13 Artifact Dance Project Studios, 17 E. Toole Ave. $20.
Ballet Tucson Opening Night Gala: Enjoy a night of fine dance from Tucson's own professional ballet company. Ballet Tucson will old it's annual opening day gala. The gala will feature a pre-performance wine and buffet reception, silent auction and a post-performance champange reception with the cast. The company will premiere two new ballets: Spirit Garden and Perseus and Andromeda at this one-night-only event. Gala Reception - 6:30 p.m., Performance - 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. $100 per person.
Estampas Porteñas: Deseos: This Argentinian tango company will take to the UA's Cenntenial Hall to present their new dance production, Deseos...Stories of Longing and Desire told through Argentine Tang and Music. The set will include 25 dancers moving to show the "heart and soul" of Argentina. The performance will also include on-stage 3D projections to take to audience across Argentina. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $20 - $55.
Community
Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony: The American Legion Post 7 hosts the 97th annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony in downtown Tucson on Friday starting at Granada and Alameda. Come join the fun and celebrate Veterans Day with friends, families and other Tucson citizens! There is free parking during the parade at the City/State Garage at 498 W. Congress Street Staging: 8:30 a.m., Show: 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Downtown Tucson. Free.
GABA Fall Bike Swap Meet: The Greater Arizona Bicycling Association is holding its annual bike swap meet, located on four blocks (closed off to car traffic, naturally) and centered at 7th Street in downtown Tucson. Meet other cyclists while shopping for deals on bike parts and accessories. This is the largest bicycle swap in the southwest attracting more than 5,000 attendees and 30 vendors bi-annually. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 Downtown Tucson (between 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue). Free.
VintagePalooza!: Cat Mountain Station holds an autumn marketplace of local vendors offering a selection of vintage items and antiques for sale, including clothing, furniture, bakelite, home goods, vintage art, and more. There will also be live music and other forms of entertainment to enjoy while shopping! 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. Cat Mountain Station, 2740 S. Kinney Road. Free.
Harvest Heritage Festival: Join the Town of Oro Valley for the Harvest Heritage Festival at Steam Pump Ranch. This family-friendly event will include a petting zoo, live music from more then 10 acts, arts and crafts for the kids and food from local businesses! 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 10901 N. Oracle Rd. Free festival, music, community
¡Not Our President! Rally Against President-Elect Donald Trump: Well, either way this election went, there were going to be some really pissed off voters. If you count yourself among the disheartened, the disappointed or the down right incredulous, your people are gathering at Armory Park this weekend. Bring your protest signs and, of course, your compassion. 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Armory Park, 221 S. Sixth Ave.
Comedy
Tucson Comedy Arts Festival: In need of a good laugh? Well, the Tucson Improv Momevent is here to bring you a whole weekend that will have you rolling on the floor. The 2nd Annual Tucson Comedy Arts Festival will feature improv comedy, stand up, hip-hop, and storytelling. With four nights of hilarity and amusement, everyone is bound to find something that tickles their fancy. Nov. 9- 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10- 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11- 6 p.m. Nov. 12- 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Saturday, Nov. 12 TIM Comedy Theater, 329 East 7th St. There are fees if you want to participate in workshops.
FST!: Tucson’s crazy-popular story-telling event FST! is temporarily changing format, and inviting the community to come together and share anecdotes and thoughts In the aftermath of the election.. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16. The Flycatcher, 340 E. Sixth St.
Post-Election Laffs: “It keeps me out of therapy,” Auggie Smith says of his emotionally energetic performance style. “I spent the first 10 years of my career where they wouldn’t turn off the pool tables and nobody paid a cover. I learned I had to be really, really loud, then really soft for no reason. And stop in the middle of sentences so they’d wonder what I was talking about. Then I started writing that way and enjoying it a lot more.” Smith makes his much-anticipated annual appearance at Laffs Comedy Caffé, this weekend, with shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12. Admission is $10 to $15 with a two-item minimum. Make reservations online.
Music
Gogol Bordello: Gogol Bordello’s so-called gypsy punk twists ears. It’s a multi-gender, multi-ethnic danceable din that’s filled with sweat-soaked sexuality and boozed-up delights. It’s an East clashes with West mix of punked-out Ukrainian and Romani folk, pub chants, Jamaican dub, Slavic accordion and violins, purposely grating noisescapes, and the occasional Yiddish anthem. There’s even guitar-heroics that Sex Pistol Steve Jones digs. GB’s Russian-born singer Eugene Hütz grew up learning much of his English listening to The Pogues, so there’s plenty of quasi-political and poetical sad-drunk fist-raisers, and some songs even mourn dying drinking traditions and ghosts of folkloric heroes. But you’d never tell because there’s so much celebration going on. They pack houses the world over, are downright huge in Turkey, and some audiences have even been known to bust out the Korobushka! Monday, Nov. 14 at the Rialto Theater, 318 E, Congress. $30-$45. All ages.
Lindsey Stirling: This lovely, Cali-born, classically trained violinist grew up in Gilbert, Ariz. and hit huge mainly on the strength of YouTube—more than 675 million views (!?) and counting. Her concert tours do huge business, and her records actually sell really stinking well (gold in many countries), and all chart high in the states. But Stirling might’ve flown completely under the radar had the old major record label system been in place. In 2010 she was called “the hip-hop violinist” on America’s Got Talent, and everything started there. Now she masterfully blends soaring violin, orchestral mannerisms, EDM, fusion and cunning songcraft with massive choruses, and it’s not genre-specific at all. On stage she taps into an audience’s desire for fantasy and incorporates animation, dancers and surreal imagery. With The Federal Empire, Friday, Nov. 11, 8 p.m. Centennial Hall, 1020 University Blvd. All ages. $29.50-$59.50.
Same Sex Mary : Tucson could be a second home for Same Sex Mary, the biggest thing to come out of Boulder City, Nevada since that town’s team won the Almost Anything Goes national championship (on ABC!) in 1975. SSM recorded two albums at Tucson’s Wavelab Studios since 2013, and their scuffy-boot garage-psych-soul reveals record collections stocked with Question Mark & the Mysterians (dig Svetelina Stefanova’s Farfisa organ), The Seeds (dig the sometimes vulnerable bark of singer James Adams, who often sounds like he’s channeling Sky Saxon), and X (Stefanova and Adams singing together sound like a youthful John Doe and Exene). Songs like the boy-girl answer-back “I Don’t Wanna Wait” show quiet depth while detailing a sour relationship, and “Sex Bruise (Common Theif)” thumps like a headboard against a bedroom wall before climaxing on rising organ and guitar swirls. Neat! With Tucson’s mighty Lenguas Largas and Whoops on Friday, Nov. 11 at 9 p.m. The Flycatcher, 340 E. 6th St. $6. 21+.
Dirt Friends: This dreamy Tucson quintet invites quick comparisons to Band of Horses, sometimes because of the vocals and melodies, but deeper listens reveal lots of pop signposts—from Sou Cal psych (up through early ’70s Beach Boys) to shoegaze (Slowdive and Lush) to UK indie pop (Wild Swans). Their new album, Sunsets & Night Sweats (released the Old Pueblo’s quickly rising Commercial Appeal Records) sings from top to bottom; songs gently hum and sting on echoed, jangly guitars and melancholy melodies. With Down and Outlaws, and M. Crane on Thursday, Nov.17 at 9 p.m. The Flycatcher, 340 E. 6th St. $6. 21+.
Jesse & Joy: This Mexico City brother and sister duo blend soothing harmonies, acoustic and electric rock, and soaring soundscapes with Latin styles and traditional pop songcraft, complete with lyrics in Spanish and English. The siblings share lead vocal duties, and harmonize with aplomb and grace. They’re huge in Mexico, Spain and South America and their profile has been rising steadily stateside since their 2006 debut album. They’ve nabbed four Grammys, and the duo’s latest album, Un Besito Más, peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Latin charts earlier this year. Sunday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m. The Rialto, 318 E. Congress. $35-$150. All Ages.
UA Presents Saxophonist Boney James: UA Presents Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum selling saxophone player, Boney James, to the Fox Tucson Theatre on Nov. 10. James is from New York and is known for his traditional smooth jazz and a mastery of modern pop music styles. 7:30 PM Thursday, Nov. 10. Fox Tucson Theatre, 7 W. Congress Street. $15-$129.
Har Mar Superstar: Dude may resemble a younger Ron Jeremy, and he may have a gift of celebrity staying power, but there’s never any doubt that the irrepressible Har Mar Superstar (aka Sean Tillmann) has listened to lots of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Motown and maybe even Scott Walker. For a white guy, he’s got a ton of soul in his voice—and that same kind of romantic quality the aforementioned guys had—whether he’s singing over a live R&B band or atop a bed of synths and beats. It’s a pretty remarkable voice, even when offering up purposely hamfisted lyrics. The Minnesota-weaned Superstar, whose debut album dropped in 2000, is touring in support of his latest, Best Summer Ever (on Julian Casablanca’s Cut Records), which we here at the Tucson Weekly recommend highly. With Tickle Torture, Velvet Negron and Asian Fred at 8 p.m. 191 Toole, 191 Toole Ave. $12. 21+.
Dirtwire: This highly listenable combo mixes sounds and influences from a wealth of traditional instruments (violins and ilimbas to pandeiros and berimbaus) and music from America, South America, Africa and Asia. It’s a musical ecology filled with glorious drones, rising dynamics and hypnotic orchestrations, all culled from many eras and modes. The group—featuring David Satori from Beats Antique and Evan Fraser from Stellamara—mix up this sonic medicine into something they call “a post-millennial psychedelic journey to downhome goodness.” And that pretty much sums it up. Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Galactic Center 35 E. Toole Ave., $15.
Mac Miller at The Rialto: The Indie rapper turned self-made record producer will take the stage of the Rialto on Nov. 15. Mac Miller first signed on with Rostrum Records back in 2010 and topped charts with his debut album Blue Side Park. Since then, Miller released three albums, his most recent being The Devine Feminine that dropped on Sept. 16. 7 - 10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. $33-$36 music.
Big Band Boogie at The Fox: Celebrate Veteran's Day by attending the Big Band Boogie at the Fox Theatre. Embrace your patriotic side as the The American Bombshells and The Phat Cat Swinger sing the night away to a slew of patriotic tunes. 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Fox Tucson Theatre,
17 W. Congress. $25.
Easy Money: This new Arizona thrash band has been taking names and kicking total ass since debuting early this year. Their shows are sick and packed—they’re able to turn even mild crowds into out-of-control mosh pits. The band’s 2016 EP, Midas Touch, sounds like a hardcore combo that's been together years, filled with requisite youthful anger, doom and down-tuned thunder that recalls everything from Alice In Chains to Biohazard to Machine Head. And the frontman is one of those authentic metal shouters who frightens parents and little children! With Inequity, No Altars, Easy Money, Shame, Arm's Reach, BarbarianTX, Liar's Tongue, Supreme Verdict, Iron Curtain, Elephant Skin, Blackened, and more, on Saturday, Nov. 19 at The Southwest United Fest. The Rat Trap, 3042 N Stone Ave. Show starts a 4 p.m. All Ages.
Jill Cohn: This Seattle-based singer-songwriter has a voice that’d woo fans of greats like Sheryl Crow or Joni Mitchell or Emmylou Harris. Once she hooks listeners with that voice, her songs engage with stories of her life and topics ranging from lost love to spiritual growth to rescue dogs. Indeed, Cohn’s easy pop and folk-rock couples nicely with summer sunsets and candlelit dinners, as well as an easy night out at a club, but there’s some gentle wisdom and sadness in a lot of of her work. She been touring, releasing albums and earning fans, one at time, since 1999, and her tunes have been used on TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and Hawthorne. Friday, Nov. 18 at El Saguarito Mexican Food, 1763 East Prince Road. 6:30 p.m. All Ages. Free show.
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