Friday, June 28, 2019
Vouchers have never been very popular with a majority of Democrats. But charter schools? Plenty of Democrats, voters and politicians alike, have supported them with the same enthusiasm as Republicans. President Obama, Vice President Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan were big charter boosters, creating policies which led to an increase in the number and distribution of the schools around the country. Presidential hopeful and former Newark, New Jersey, mayor Cory Booker has long been a vocal charter advocate. And they weren't alone. Many Democrats in local, state and national office either actively supported the spread of charters or quietly accepted their presence, and Democratic voters followed suit.
That's changing. Democratic candidates who give full-throated endorsements to charter schools are becoming an endangered species. Biden is shifting away from his support of charters. Booker tries to avoid the subject. Democrats across the political landscape are emphasizing increasing teacher salaries, boosting funding for Title 1 and putting more money into school infrastructure. Charters, many of them are saying, are siphoning money away from the schools which educate the vast majority of our children.
Democratic voters are moving in the same direction.
That could spell trouble for the charter school movement, which has counted on bipartisan agreement that our public schools are a mess and we need an infusion of new schools and new approaches — read, charter schools — to give children, especially poor and minority children, a better chance at a quality education. If one side of the political aisle representing half the country's population no longer supports charters, the schools' future becomes shaky.
Tags: Charter schools , Joe Biden , Cory Booker , School privatization , Education reform , Billionaire Boys Club , Nick Hanauer , Bill Gates , Image
In the theatre business, you hear a lot about doing it for the love of art or as a passion project. For Amanda Gremel, the Live Theatre Workshop Family Theatre is certainly a passion project, but isn’t just a love for the art; rather, it’s a calling and an obligation to future generations that she is only too happy to fulfill.
Gremel’s life is steeped in Live Theatre Workshop. As a teen, she discovered her love of acting in their educational programs. As an adult, she pays it forward as a teacher in the same educational programs where she got her start, acts regularly and is the artistic director for the Family Theatre.
While theatre for all ages is often shorter and lighter than productions rated for adults, it is no less important.
“So many times, adults underestimate the power of kids to show us the way,” Gremel explained. “Sometimes we have to stop and take a moment and look at it through their eyes to be reminded that we can problem solve our way, can feel what we do, and it’s okay. Adults get wrapped up in our lives and forget that it’s okay to take that time to laugh.”
Tags: Live Theatre Workshop Family , Taming of the Review , Family Theatre , Children's Theatre , Theatre for all ages , All ages , Image
The duo cover the United States' women's soccer team and its quest to win a second straight Women's World Cup.
They then break down the latest news regarding the University of Arizona's mens basketball roster, including the return of Devonaire Doutrive and the loss of Alex Barcello to transfer.
The final segment covers Monday's opening day of NBA free agency, including the destinations of Kemba Walker, Kawhi Leonard and more.
Tune in each Friday for a new segment of the Weekly's only sports podcast.
Tags: Women's World Cup , Megan Rapinoe , Devonaire Doutrive , NBA Free Agency , Tucson , Image
The Garden Kitchen offers cooking classes, and this Saturday, June 29, they're teaching a class called "Healthy and Delicious: With a Latin Twist Hands-On Cooking Class."
Learn to cook gazpacho, crispy vegetable cakes with lemon cilantro crema, and cauliflower ceviche.
You'll understand how to make a cold soup, how to make a sauce, and how to create full-flavor vegetarian entrees.
Can't catch this class? The Garden Kitchen offers classes throughout the month. And they're not just cooking classes, but fitness ones too.
Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $55
Proceeds go towards The Garden Kitchen's free programming. 2205 S. 4th Ave.
Tags: The Garden Kitchen , food security , cooking , cuisine , food activism , cooking classes , community , Image
The Supreme Court handed a temporary victory Thursday to opponents of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census, saying the government will have to go back and make a better case in lower courts if it wants to include the question.
That could be difficult for the Census Bureau, which had said that it needed a final ruling by the end of June to have enough time to print the millions of Census forms that must be ready for 2020.
The bureau did not comment on next steps Thursday, saying only that it had taken the court’s ruling under review.
But critics, who said the citizenship question was only meant to “rig the Census against minority communities,” vowed to keep fighting to keep the question off the census form.
“We know that the Trump administration is very persistent and they will continue their attacks on the Latino and immigrant community,” said Karina Martinez, communications director for Mi Familia Vota. But Martinez, who called the census plan an “explicitly motivated” attack on the Hispanic community, expressed confidence that the administration will not be able to justify the citizenship question.
All sides agree that billions of dollars in federal funds ride on an accurate Census count, along with the number of seats each state holds in Congress. They also agree that asking people to declare their citizenship status on the census would reduce the number of people who participate, particularly in minority and immigrant communities.
But Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the projected 5.8 percent drop in census participation that a citizenship question would cause would be outweighed by the benefits of such a question. The results would allow better enforcement of the Voting Rights Act by the Justice Department, which asked for the question to be included, Ross said in 2018.
The Supreme Court said Ross, who oversees the Census Bureau, has the authority to add the question if he has good reason. But Thursday’s ruling said he did no— the reasons he gave were merely a pretext to justify including the question, the court said.
The decision by Chief Justice John Roberts said evidence in the case showed Ross “was determined to reinstate a citizenship question from the time he entered office.”
Ross “instructed his staff to make it happen; waited while Commerce officials explored whether another agency would request census-based citizenship data; subsequently contacted the Attorney General himself to ask if DOJ would make the request; and adopted the Voting Rights Act rationale late in the process,” Roberts wrote for the court.
Roberts called the bureau’s defense of the question “more of a distraction” than an explanation, and ordered the case back to lower court if it wanted to try to explain itself.
In a partial dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court has never invalidated “an agency action solely because it questions the sincerity of the agency’s otherwise adequate rationale.” He predicted that the ruling will lead “political opponents of executive actions to generate controversy with accusations of pretext, deceit, and illicit motives” to win future cases.
Among the scores of protesters who rallied outside the court Thursday, chanting, “Si, se puede,” was Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA, an immigrant advocacy group based in Maryland. He said states like Arizona could be at risk of actually losing seats in the House if the census undercounts their population next year.
“Arizona is going to lose a lot of people (in an undercount)… That means they can lose up to two Congress people. So that is the reason why it is so very important that everybody be counted,” Torres said.
But some outside the court Thursday said the Census should be able to ask people about their citizenship, as it did in almost every census until 1960.
“If you are legal, you should be on the census. If you are illegal, you should not be counted because you really should not have a say in our government until you become legal,” said Cammy Koeber, a Florida resident who was visiting the court Thursday.
Promise Arizona Executive Director Petra Falcon said a citizenship question would interfere with an accurate count, which is crucial for a growing state like Arizona to get the congressional representation and resources it deserves.
“People need to understand that this isn’t just about figuring out who’s a citizen and who’s not a citizen, it’s about getting resources to the communities that need it,” Falcon said. “This is something that isn’t new, the U.S. Constitution put this in place so that our tax dollars could come back to our states through the federal government.”
Falcon said that, even with the ruling, advocacy groups like hers will have to work hard to ensure that everyone participates in the 2020 Census.
“The threat of deportation and ICE agents knocking on the doors is going to hurt census workers as they go door to door,” Falcon said Thursday, adding that her group will work to help undocumented families get past those fears and fill out the form.
For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
Tags: citizenship , question , census , Supreme Court , politics , Image
Tags: comics , politics , cartoons , Claytoonz , census , citizenship , questions , John Roberts , Image
All Set In The West Beer Release. It seems to be the week of awesome pairings, and they keep coming with this collaboration between 1912 Brewing Co. and Samuel Adams. In September 2018 at the Great American Beer Festival, Sam Adams announced 1912 Brewing as the winners of Brewing The American Dream program. As part of that victory, 1912 brewed with Sam Adams' head brewers and came up with the "All Set In The West" Kettle Sour, featuring ingredients like agave nectar, cranberries and tamarind. Now's your chance to try it out! Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 29. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd.
El Tour De Kino. Part of the Gastronomic Union of Tucson's summer series, this meal event allows you to learn about and try the foods Father Eusebio Kino introduced to Pimería Alta and Tucson. This five-course meal includes everything from "orchard fruits to staple grains" to legumes and vegetables and more. The evening also includes a welcome cocktail, hors d'œuvre and wine. 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 30. At the Carriage House. 125 S. Arizona Avenue. $75.
Tombstone Throwdown at Craft. It's a beautiful combination of Tucson and Tombstone! Craft, A Modern Drinkery will host Tombstone Brewing Company. The tap list is: an imperial coffee stout, the "All The People Will be Checked" DIPA, the Oak Fermented Blackcurrant Brett Saison and the Citra Single Hop IPA. In addition, Burgerrito food truck will join in on the fun. From the town too tough to die, comes the beer too good to miss. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 28. 4603 E. Speedway Blvd.
Pizza Luna x Cartel: Pizza & Wine Dinner. Pizza Luna is heading over to Cartel Coffee Lab for their first-ever collaboration dinner. The evening includes summer-inspired courses, such as the bianca pizza with aged prosciutto, asparagus, parmesan and arugula paired with Cartel's Dos Cabezas red blend. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 28. 210 East Broadway Boulevard. $55.
Three Sisters Culinary Series. What are the three sisters? Corn, beans and squash, of course. The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and Native Seeds are pairing up for a series of meals to celebrate these three ingredients. This event includes live entertainment, paired libations, educational touch points, and food to remember. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa. 245 E. Ina Road. $65. 21+
Summers of Fire: Author Talk with Linda Strader. Back in the '70s, Linda Strader was one of the first women to work on a fire crew for the U.S. Forest Service in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson. She later went on to write Summers of Fire: A Memoir of Adventure, Love and Courage, all about her experiences trying to advance in a career where women weren't always considered worthy. At this talk, Strader (who is also a landscape architect, watercolor artist and certified arborist!) will talk about her book and some of the challenges women on fire crews face even today. 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29. Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Dr. Free.
In From the Heat. Yes, the heat of summer is upon us, but you know what that means: The summer portion of the Catalina Organ Festival is upon us as well! This year, we've got Maxine Thévenot and Edmund Connolly in from Albuquerque, New Mexico, an organist duo also known as Air & Hammers. Connolly is also an opera singer who's performed as a baritone soloist all over the world, while Thévenot's playing has been described as a "masterful manipulation of the instrument's myriad tonal colors." They'll be playing work by Josef Rheinberger, Clara Schumann, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck and more. Noon. Saturday, June 29. Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd. $10.
June Bachata Social ft. DJ FnF. Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic to go along with the rhythmic, often sexy Bachata music. This one-hour class will have sections for both beginners and intermediate-level dancers, and will be followed by a social with more dancing and fun. Mohankumar Ns leads the beginner class and Bachadicto Fnf leads the intermediate class. You'll hear the best of Salsa, Bachata, Timba, Kizomba and more. Classes are from 8:50 to 10 p.m. and social is from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, June 28. Tucson Creative Dance Center, 3131 N. Cherry Ave. $10 for class and social, $7 for social only. Bring dance shoes if possible, for the wooden floor!
Rhymes and Poetry (RAP). Tucson-based hip hop record label UG Desert Artists was started in 2018 by Benny Loc and Phase Cre8tions to build a community through art and event hosting. Here's one such event, serving up spoken word poetry and conscious hip hop to take your Saturday night to the next level. Performers include Benny Loc, Ill V, trahma, Nathan Villins, Solo and Sid LC. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, June 29. The Elder Hookah Lounge, 2900 E. Broadway Blvd., Ste. 118. $5 at the door.
Bach Without Borders. You've heard of Bach, one of the most famous composers ever, right? But have you heard his music played without borders? At this show, husband and wife duo Bin Hu and Jing Xia will be performing their interpretations of Bach's music, with Bin on classical guitar and Jing on the Guzheng, a Chinese stringed instrument. And they're not just performing Bach – Isaac Albeniz, Stephen Goss, and Chenyu Hunag and Wang Zhou are also on the program. Treat yourself to a night that will be equal parts relaxing and awe-inspiring. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 30. Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church. $15 GA, $10 student.
Comedians Who Aren't Boys. Not only are women, nonbinary people and other non-men funny, but they're funny at TWO separate events this week in Tucson alone. Imagine that! Head on over to Hotel McCoy (you should head over to check it out anyway!) to see Autumn Horvat, Mo Urban, Chinna Garza, Rebecca Tingley, Priscilla Fernandez, Nicole Riesgo and Cierra Renee Amanda take the stage and make you laugh. Enjoy the local beer and wine, plus eats from the Mexican food truck Pinches. All ages, but recommended for 18+. 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 28. Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road. Free.
Cool Summer Nights: Creatures of the Night. During summer, many of the college students that take to the streets of Tucson so often at night head home, away from the UA campus. But there are still lots of creatures roaming around at night in the desert, like bats, owls and kangaroo rats. Learn more about them in two presentations at the Desert Museum at this Saturday evening event. The night also features Native American-inspired flute music, the feather carving art of Chris Maynard, specialty cocktails, stingray touching and the chance to climb around the Packrat Playhouse. 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 29. 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.
Flashback Friday Nights at Old Tucson. You're not going to get the kids to bed at a reasonable hour during the summer anyway, so you might as well take 'em somewhere fun and free. Every Friday night through August, Old Tucson will be open from 4 to 9 p.m., free for kids 11 and under. Enjoy their signature entertainment, plus food and drinks specials that they're whipping up just for this sunset time. Just think of how fondly you and your kid will look back on summer evenings spent wandering around the Wild West. 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 28. Old Tucson, 201 S. Kinney Road. Adult admission is $19.95.
Summer Safari Saturday Nights. You know when you've had a long, stressful week, and you treat yourself to something relaxing, like a bath, a pedicure or a massage? Sometimes the animals at the zoo deserve to be pampered, too. And pampered they are! From rhinos and elephants to tortoises, vultures and anteaters, the animals featured on this night at the zoo enjoy rituals like pedicures, manicures and mud baths. Learn all about it this evening! Michael P. and the Gullywashers provide the live music, and there will be plenty of games, activities, and food and drink specials. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Ct. $10.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $6.50 kids ages 2 to 14 and free for zoo members.
Western Month at the Madaras Gallery. As the gallery continues its celebration of 20 years, they're featuring a different theme every month. For July, it's all about that western vibe. From cowboys to cowboy hats, from horses to saddles, walking through this exhibit will have you singing "Happy Trails To You." Get your butt over to the gallery to see some buttes. Why would you want to miss out on an air-conditioned gallery full of art? July 1-31. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 am. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Free entry.
Summer in the Philabaum Gallery. Tom Philabaum and his wife have operated this glass art gallery in a former Tastee Freez building since 1985, and man are we lucky to have such a cool space in Tucson. From jewelry to vases to cups to insanely intricate decorative pieces, the gallery is home to works by dozens of artists for you to admire and even buy, if you're interested. The studio will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sept. 28. They've got more glass than ever, and they're adding new stuff to the website all the time, so you can check it out before you go if you want. Philabaum Glass Gallery & Studio, 711 S. Sixth Ave.
Vail's Colossal Fourth at the Farmers Market. This Fourth of July, the Vail Preservation Society has decided to blow right past going big, in favor of growing colossal. The Heirloom Farmers Market is getting in on the fun a little early, with this day full of live bluegrass music by Cadillac Mountain, pony rides, a petting zoo and homemade crafts. At Taste of the Market, get an education experience that includes a taste test of some of the freshest organic foods around. More than 50 food and artisan vendors means there's something to eat, and something to appreciate, for everyone. 8 a.m. to noon. Saturday, June 29. Rincon Valley Farmers and Artisans Market, 12500 E. Old Spanish Trail.
Car Show at Tucson Asphalt. You already know and love the Original El Taco, known for their Green & Red Chili, and for their signature mix of both flavors. But now, El Taco is mixing things up even more by hosting a car show! They'll have drag cars, juniors dragsters, racing go karts, 10 ¼ midgets, street cars, circle track cars and motorcycles. And, of course, they'll have food. Looking at cool stuff and eating cool stuff at the same time: Isn't that what life is all about? 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 30. Tucson Asphalt Contractors, Inc., 2425 W. Curtis Road. Free.
Asteroid Day at Flandrau. Asteroid Day is celebrated all over the world to highlight the science and exploration of asteroids, those little rocky guys orbiting the sun with us. You might have heard of a little asteroid called Bennu, which a team of scientists—led by the UA's own Dante Lauretta—have sent a spacecraft called OSIRIS-REx out to go explore. OSIRIS-REx team member Dolores Hill will do a presentation at Flandrau all about the spacecraft's mission to bring a sample back to Earth. The planetarium will also feature hands-on activities and a special screening of the fulldome planetarium show ASTEROID: MISSION EXTREME. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 30. Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd. $5 for exhibits, $5 for planetarium shows and free for Hill's presentation, but reserve your tickets online.
Star Wars: The Original Trilogy. The Fox Theatre, in partnership with Film Fest Tucson, is screening all three original Star Wars films this weekend. It's A New Hope on Friday, The Empire Strikes Back on Saturday and Return of the Jedi on Sunday. Here's your chance to see every film of the original trilogy on the big screen, the way it was meant to be experienced. The ferns of Endor never looked so good! A New Hope: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 28. The Empire Strikes Back: 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Return of the Jedi: 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 30. 17 W. Congress Street. $10 each or $25 for all three.
Before Stonewall. The Screening Room and Tucson Pride are teaming up to show a new restoration of this documentary that details the history of the queer community before the Stonewall Riots began the major gay rights movement. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, they will also host a social hour and mini resource fair. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 28. 127 E. Congress Street.
Woodstock: The Director's Cut. This documentary covers the most iconic music festival of them all from both the stage and the audience. Released a year after Woodstock, it won the Oscar for best documentary, and this director's cut gives you even more of the hippie goodness. This screening is also part of the Loft's fundraiser to restore and expand their marquee. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29. 3233 East Speedway Blvd. $80.
Wall-E (Free, Bike-In Movie). The Living Streets Alliance is hosting a free screening of Pixar's best movie. (Yeah, I said it.) The public is invited to Mitchell Park for a "completely off-grid" outdoor movie experience. And what better setting to enjoy a lovable children's movie about the horrors of pollution and social stagnation? 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 28. 1100 E. Mitchell Street. Free.
Do The Right Thing. The Loft Cinema is screening Spike Lee's examination of Brooklyn life on the same day it was released to theaters in 1989. The film takes a look at race and prejudice in modern America, showing how a riot can erupt out of a series of small misunderstandings. The screening is of a 4K digital restoration. 2 p.m. Sunday, June 30. 3233 East Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices.
Asteroid Day. UA's Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is hosting a day of special presentations and screenings all about space rocks. The public is invited to learn about discoveries from the OSIRIS-REx mission, asteroids, and how we ourselves are made of stars. 12:30 p.m: We Are Stars. 1 p.m. Asteroid: Mission Extreme. 2 p.m: Special Presentation: OSIRIS-REx Discoveries. 3 p.m: Great White Shark. 4 p.m: Special Presentation: Fire In the Sky. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 30. 1601 E. University Blvd. $5 exhibits, $5 shows.
Mandy. This 2018 cult-classic-from-on-release features Nicholas Cage as a lumberjack fighting cultists and supernatural entities. What more could you want? Well, how about the fact it's also a combination of multiple '80s film tropes: oversaturated colors, vigilantism, slasher and more. Throw some LSD into the mix and you have a recipe for fun. 10 p.m. Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29. $8. The Loft Cinema. 3233 East Speedway Boulevard.
Events compiled by Tirion Morris, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
Tags: things to do , fun in general , happenings , weekend events , Tucson , Image
Friday, June 28
Like the nail-biting scene in Pulp Fiction when Vincent Vega revived an overdosing Mia Wallace, this Mexican singer-songwriter's career received an intracardiac injection of epinephrine with the release of Me Déje Llevar (Universal Latin, 2017), a major label debut that yielded four smash hits on both U.S. Latin and Mexican charts. As the title (translated to English) implies, "I Got Carried Away" is full of tales of drinking to excess, double-dealing and bearing the karmic weight of being the betrayer, as in "Te Fallé." His vocal style has drawn comparisons to iconic Mexican crooner Luis Miguel and "El Rey de la Música Ranchera" Vicente Fernández. At 20 years young, with guns ablaze, Christian Nodal ascends to the throne at Tucson Music Hall.
The New York Times raved that it's "the gleeful profanities, righteous protest anthems and impeccable folk songwriting" that have carried one of the finest folk duos of all time through a career spanning three decades. Two distinct voices and worldviews—that of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers—come together. Indigo Girls strive to create something transcendent at the Rialto Theatre.
Keep your antipsychotic meds close. Maximal insanity awaits. Hitman Entertainment celebrates 8 Years of Keeping It Heavy ALWAYS Anniversary Show with WitchAlley, 7eventh of Never, Psycho 78 and Legion. At House of Bards.
Transcending all musical barriers, Washington indie rockers Stereo Riots cause a ruckus. With Defeat the Band whose collective interests include "weed, good times and nice people," and the mighty Sur Block. At Sky Bar.
This week's installment of Tucson Duels sees The Demons vs. The Öhmlauts in a samurai sword fight to win the honorary title of kensei (Japenese sword saint). At The Screening Room.
Marrying humor with infectious cumbia/salsa rhythms singer Stephani Candelaria delivers a powerful feminist message. La Mera Candelaria adds a piquant sabor caribeño to the recurrent dance party sin fronteras that is El Tambó. With DJ Humblelianess. On the plaza at Hotel Congress.
Like the mythical and elusive Chupacabra, Bordertown Devils roam the desert wasteland by moonlight in search of prey. With The Endless Pursuit and PS9. At the Surly Wench Pub.
Texas death metalists Creeping Death caution against the "Specter of War." With Fuming Mouth, Languish, AOM and Scowl. At Ward6.
Nitecall: Disco 2000 features performances by The Häus of Polkadots. DJs Mijito and Plastic Disease preside over the nights events. At R Bar.
Darkly roasted strains of country noir will waft through the air when West Texas Intermediate play Exo Bar. Hans Hutchison performs an opening set.
Desert rockers The Craig Green Band celebrates the release of Flyboy Serenade. At Monterey Court. Big Grin and Mike Sadler lend a hand.
Doom and sludge your thing? Wallow in the mire. Sixes, Atala and Dayak get filthy dirty at House of Bards.
After a rollover bus accident, in 1999, that claimed the lives of two band members and their road manager, these Tejano/norteño stars have lived up to their name. Intocable are at AVA Amphitheater. With Banda Machos.
Exuberant. Raw. Innovative. Former Funky Techno Tribe, DJ/remixer Donald Glaude spins house at Zen Rock. It's going to be "Off the Hook..." The Jack and Public Enemy #1 pay homage to AC-DC and Mötley Crüe. At The Rock.
Singer-songwriter Leila Lopez, accompanied by bassist Brian Green, perform at Sand-Reckoner.
The sons of U.S. Air Force personnel stationed in London, this trio formed in the 1970s. Shortly after graduating high school, their tight vocal harmonies propelled major transatlantic hits: "A Horse with No Name," "Sister Golden Hair" and "Ventura Highway." America, The Band are the Desert Diamond Casino - Sahuarita.
Saturday, June 29
Rolling Stone Brazil named them "one of the most interesting retro acts of the last decade." Riding in on a heat wave of '70s roots rock revival from São Paulo, Ted Marengos' Timeless Beat USA Summer Tour descends upon the Sky Bar. They share the bill with epically spaced-out rockers Silver Cloud Express and psychedelic/synth-poppers Tropical Beach.
What you got in your pocket? Cruize: A Queer AF Hanky Code Party. Unfamiliar with the code? Google it and educate yourself. An evening free of hate and shaming, for queers by queers. DJs Atlantis Moreupset, Papita, Robertitx, DADDY SLMBR PRTY and Sissy Peniston spin the jams into the dawn.
A major star in regional Mexican music, "El Rey de Mil Coronas" (The King of a Thousand Crowns), Lalo Mora brings his accordion-powered norteño to Club 4th Avenue.
A bare-knuckle brawl ensues at Che's Lounge when Dirt Friends and Asian Fred face off.
Somewhat cryptically, Hank Topless asserts, "Come hear why hippie music is so much better than all that countryfied corn that went before." At The Dusty Monk Pub.
Shitkickin' since 2003, Phoenix cowpunks The Earps share the stage with local punks The Öhmlauts and rock quartet Escape Goat. At Irene's Holy Donuts.
An evening of clever songwriting awaits. Lana Rebel & Kevin Mayfield's songs provide the perfect soundtrack for a late-night porch gathering in the still of a summer night. Can you hear the crickets chirping? John Mount is known for crooning next to kegs at backyard parties. And Grip Jensen writes tender country songs for adults. At Exo Bar.
Prepare to be "Thunderstruck." The ultimate all-girl tribute to AC-DC will shake you all night long. Sugar Stains and Mean Streets add to the sheer chaos. At Encore (formerly Club XS).
The horn, percussion and electric guitar propelled Latino sound of Santa Pachita manifests at Monterey Court.
Here Comes the Music. Songstress Adara Rae performs blues/pop/rock in the tasting room at Sand-Reckoner.
Queer Bazaar is an evening of revelry, outreach, engagement and pride to benefit the Reveille Men's Chorus and THEM Youth Ensemble Choir. DJ Mijito spins.
Featuring two-time Grammy nominee pianist/composer Enrique "Hank" Feldman, Acerekó performs Afro-Cuban/jazz at Crooked Tooth Brewing Co.
Tap + Bottle - Downtown celebrate 6 years on 6th with food trucks, libation and the music of Mariachi Tesoro, Hey, Bucko and Tongs.
"We'll leave the light on for you." Nite Lite: DJs Dominator, Terry Jasinto and Cactus spin EDM from late at night until early in the morning. At Solar Culture.
Sunday, June 30
Be tragic. Tunes From The Crypt finds DJs Nullus and SET spinning goth and industrial from the '80s and '90s to darkwave and witch house from today. Darkness knows no bounds. At the Surly Wench Pub.
Infusing samba rhythms with jazz and blues, The Eugene Boronow Trio spreads bossa nova's heart-warming sound. At Public Brewhouse.
Like your toast with jam? Mik & The Funky Brunch provide family-friendly funk. At La Cocina.
Tags: music , live show , live shows , Tucson , weekend , live music , concerts , bands , performances , Image
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Colorful Game Shows at Tucson Improv Movement
In the Match Game, six faux celebrities try to match wits with two contestants chosen from the audience. A random, often ridiculous, question is asked, and the panel of celebrities tries to guess how the contestant would answer. Panelists’ answers naturally project their personal experiences and world views. The connections can be hilariously wide of the mark.
Leuders says he never dreamed of being a game show host until he joined TIM. The company’s first three levels of classes focus on skill-building “short form” games. One game that involved pantomime inspired Leuders to pitch a game show idea to the TIM company leadership. The idea evolved into The Game Show Show, now entering its second year as a monthly Saturday feature on TIM’s performance schedule. Over that time, the show has steadily built a regular following among game show fans.
“I set up a show where real contestants would try to guess as quickly as possible while improvisors were doing their improv,” Leuters says. In the game he asks a question and the improv team dramatizes “clues” for answers the audience can see on a screen above the stage. Contestants compete for “fabulous prizes” that are not even a little bit fabulous.
“This Saturday’s show (June 29) is a special show for Pride Month,” Leuters says. “The contestants will be Jai Smith (drag queen and sexual health educator) and JP Martin (organizer of Equality Arizona).
“The best crowd reactions come organically, when the audience knows what the answer is, the improvisors are going all out, and the contestant gets the right answer as time is running out. It’s fun watching real competition, even if it is super silly,” Leuters continues. “And the crowd loves the impersonations that team members do. Some of them are spot on. The others are just fun to watch! The most fun I have on stage is when someone, either the contestant or one of the stars, really catches me off guard with a good joke. Nothing makes me happier.”
Tim features game shows at 7:30 p.m. every Saturday. Tickets to all TIM shows are $5 via Squareup or at the door.
It’s like The Loft understands your family knows the words
Can’t get to the beach, let alone The Islands? Why not join a couple hundred other families at The Loft Cinema’s Moana Sing-Along over the July 4 weekend?
The scale of Moana’s musical numbers is spectacular even by Disney standards. Hamilton composer Lin-Manuel contributed to the score, including family favorites like “How Far I’ll Go,” “You’re Welcome” and “Shiny.” They’re subtitled so everyone can sing along.
The story is both action-packed and relatable. It’s set in lavish underwater visuals where you can feel everyday stress fall away into depths of swirling blue coolness.
Screenings are at 2 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, July 4 through July 7. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for Loft members and children under 13. The ticket price includes a Moana goodie bag full of props and surprises to us throughout the movie.
Moana, herself, will be present for autographs starting at 1:15 p.m. before each performance. Each show will feature a costume parade for all the little Moanas in your family.
Tabitha Turnpike has a MONSTERous problem
Tabitha Turnpike is a little girl whose big imagination gets her in trouble with her mom and dad. Just as they begin to insist that she grow up, she discovers a monster living under her bed. How could she possibly tell her parents? They’d just think her imagination is playing tricks.
Kids and adults both can empathize as she struggles through her monster problem on her own and discovers all the good things that can come from using her imagination.
Tabitha Turnpike has a MONSTEROUS Problem is an original children’s musical opening Live Theater Workshop’s 2019 season. Director Susan Cormier says, “Kids’ imaginations are already so strong, and no matter what we do on the stage, their brilliant imaginations will make it a ‘Broadway hit!’”
Performances are at 12:30 p.m. every Sunday through August 11, except July 21. Tickets are $7 for kids and $10 for adults vialivetheatreworkshop.org or (520) 327-4242. Live Theatre Workshop is located at 5317 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tags: Tucson Improv Movement , TIM , Kurt Leuders , The Game Show Show , Tabitha Turnpike has a Monstrous problem , Susan Cormier , Live Theatre Workshop , Moana , Sing-Along Moana , Disney Moana , Jai Smith , JP Martin , fabulous prizes , not fabulous prizes , Image
Our annual competition seeking to find the best of the best in the Old Pueblo is at it again. The first round of voting closed last week, a huge thank you to the almost 3,000 people who voted, and the finalist round is live now.
So, if you voted in the first round, check in to see if your favorites made the finalist cut and if you haven't voted yet this year, this is your chance!
Tucson is a magical town but we need your help celebrate those that make it that way. Vote now for your favorite restaurants, singers, places to take the kids, spots to stay, museums to visit, comedians to laugh along with and more in Best of Tucson 2019.
Voting for this second round is online until midnight August 5, so make sure to get your votes in now!
Cast your votes now at tucsonweekly.com/BOT
Tags: Best of Tucson , awards , voting , votes , BOT , magic town , Image
