Two-Year Anniversary at Sand-Reckoner Vineyards. Sand-Reckoner is taking the whole weekend to celebrate their birthday. So this means drink specials, new wines and music. On Friday, Feb. 15, it’s an all day happy hour featuring music from Miss Olivia and the Interlopers. On Saturday, Feb. 16, Sand-Reckoner is unveiling some of their new wine, Malvasia Pet-Nat, with music from Beth Daunis & Friends. Sunday, Feb. 17, they are featuring a guest bartender, plus a fundraiser for Native Seeds. Friday, Feb. 15, to Sunday, Feb. 17. 510 N. Seventh Ave., Unit 170. Details here.
Tucson Craft Beer Crawl. It is back! For one day, downtown Tucson is going to turn into more of a craft beer-obsessed madhouse than it already is. The crawl features beers from nearly every brewery in Tucson: 1912, Barrio, BlackRock, Borderlands, Catalina, Corbett, Crooked Tooth, Dillinger, Dragoon and we’re only at the letter D! Aside from breweries, venues include the classic Fifth Avenue Beer Garden, Hotel Congress and R Bar. Playground Bar & Lounge’s upstairs patio will also be hosting 1912 Brewing, Dillinger Brewing, and Mother Road Beer. There are two types of tickets: You can start from the north or from the south. A percentage of proceeds benefit the Arizona nonprofits, including the Watershed Management Group. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. 55 N. Fifth Ave. General admission is $40. VIP is $70. Details here.
Murder, Mayhem & Mobsters at The Dutch. If you’re looking for good food and a mystery (or an excuse to bust out that old suit you never wear), head over to the Dutch Eatery, where they’re pairing up with The Independent Distillery for a “whodunit” dinner party. Arrive in your finest clothes, and eat a three-course dinner with an interactive dinner mystery. Foods include: Beef Wellington, Vegetable Napoleon and more. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. 943 E. University Blvd. $59. Call (520) 792-6684 to reserve a spot. Details here.
Third Annual Tap & Bottle Beer Mile. Tap & Bottle knows you’ve been missing it, so the beer mile is back! Here’s your chance to drink four beers over the course of a mile. One beer for every lap you run. Is it a good idea? Well it’s certainly an idea! The beer is provided by Firestone Walker Brewing Co., and also includes food from Los Locos Tacos food truck and a Bloody Mary bar. The run occurs at their Westbound location in the MSA Annex. 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, Feb. 17. 267 S. Avenida Del Covento. $15 for pre-race sign up. $20 day of sign up. 21+. Details here.
Joshua Bell. If you’re into classical music, it’s likely you’ve heard of Joshua Bell, who’s recorded more than 40 CDs and earned Grammy, Mercury, Gramophone and Echo Klassik awards along the way. If you aren’t deep in the world of classical music, on the other hand, Joshua Bell may just sound like Josh Peck’s first name combined with Drake Bell’s last name. Anyway, this guy has done everything from teach at MIT to perform on the Tonight Show and was named one of People Magazine’s 50 most beautiful people. And he performs on a Stradivarius violin from 1713, with an 18th-century French bow. Don’t miss this performance, where he’ll be accompanied by Sam Haywood on the piano. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $25 to $125+. Details here.
The Amazing Acro-cats Tumble Into Tucson. “I can die happy now!” exclaimed one audience member after seeing this show. And you can imagine why: This is literally a troupe of touring performing house cats who roll on balls, ride skateboards, jump through hoops and close out the show with a music performance. Tuna and the Rock Cats features Nola on guitar, Asti on drums, Nue on keyboard, Ahi on woodblocks, Albacore on cowbell, Buggles on trumpet, Oz on saxophone and a chicken named Cluck Norris on the tambourine. Chief executive Human Samantha Martin has saved more than 215 cats and kittens since she founded Rock Cats Rescue. Why would you miss this? 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15. Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church Ave. $20. Details here.
Courtesy of Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson
The Princess Bride. Keeping the love alive for one extra day, the University of Arizona is screening this fantasy/romance classic the day after Valentine’s Day. And better yet, it’s a free outdoor screening! What more is there to say about this beloved film? Well maybe, did you know some of the film’s actors, including Mandy Patinkin and Andre the Giant, said this was their favorite movie they ever performed in? Co-presented by Cats After Dark and UA Women and Gender Resource Center. 8 to 9:50 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15. 1657 E. Helen St. Details here.
Family SCIFest. Science is everywhere! Especially at this event at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, where there will be STEM demonstrations galore by groups like Society of Women Engineers Tucson and the UA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Check out the live animals, meteorites and hands-on demonstrations in everything from robotics to biology to environmental sciences to physics. Sid the Science Kid from PBS Kids, as well as characters and droids from the 501st Legion, will be around to remind kids just how cool science is. Museum admission is free all day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and SciFest is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Children’s Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave. Free. Details here.
With Love, Marilyn. This special, four-night-only performance is all about one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures: Marilyn Monroe. In this one-woman show, she’s portrayed by Erin Sullivan, who has nearly 30 years of theater experience under her belt, including portraying Marilyn in Marilee and Baby Lamb: The Assassination of an American Goddess. Not to mention, Sullivan’s the playwright of this show as well! It takes us behind the scenes to a dress rehearsal for a show, where Marilyn is singing songs like “I Wanna Be Loved By You,” “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” and “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, through Saturday, Feb. 16, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. $50. Details here.
Into The Deep, an art pop-up. While you’re drinking and listening to live music on this Saturday night anyway, you might as well support some local artists, right? From the gorgeous polymer clay jewelry of Sigfus to Birdy Fyffe’s photography to the rustic ceramic pieces of Cinnasepia, you’ll be surrounded by lovely, handmade works. The Powder Room makeup artists and Tattoos by Hector will also be present. Bring cash for the bar, park in the big parking lot across the street, and fill your heart with art. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. District Photo Studio, 657 W. St. Mary’s. Details here.
American Stories: Bill Owens, David Graham, David Hurn and Shannon Smith. A woman with long blonde hair looks back at the camera as the small boat she’s sitting on heads into the mouth of a whale (on a Disneyland ride). A sign that appears to be in the middle of nowhere portends, “Really Really Good.” A man, seen from above, is mid-jump into a river full of people in inner tubes. A couple standing outside their car on the side of the road look concernedly at a little boy who’s throwing up. This photography exhibit at the Etherton features American life as portrayed through the views of these photographers Show runs through Saturday, April 20. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and by appointment. Etherton Gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave. Free. Details here.
Cruise, BBQ & Blues Festival & Car Show. Maybe you’re not that into cars, but you are into science, or design, or figuring out how things work. So, in some sense, you are into car design, one of the most ubiquitous but overlooked art forms there is. At this Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance Event, join thousands of other people to enjoy live oldies music, great food and, of course, tons of gorgeous cars. Kids can do activities while parents guess who will win the awards given in 20+ categories, from best interior to best paint to best engine. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road. $5, with $1 discount for veterans and active duty military. Free for kids 10 and under. Cash only. Details here.
Tumamoc Hill 5K/10K. Apparently, some people don’t think walking up Tumamoc Hill is difficult enough. And hey, maybe today is the day you try running or jogging up the mountain. But if it’s not, that’s OK, too. You’re free to walk the trail, because this informal event is open to people at all levels of fitness. Bring water, good shoes and, if you want, the Strava.com app so you can see what your time is. The event is free, and everyone’s going to the Mercado san Agustin for tacos, and Presta Coffee Roasters for coffee, after it’s over. Get those Saturday mornin’ endorphins going! 9 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Feb. 16. Tumamoc Hill, 1675 W. Anklam Road. Free. Details here.
What Happened, Miss Simone? The Tucson Black Film Club is screening this documentary on the life of jazz pianist and singer, as well as civil rights activist, Nina Simone. The screening is at the Dunbar African American Culture Center. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, the daughter of a preacher, she changed her name to Nina Simone as a stage name when she decided to play “the devil’s music.” The film was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. 325 W. Second St. Details here.
2019 Oscar Nominated Short Films. The Loft Cinema is filling your week with special screenings of this year’s best short films. Whether they’re animated, live action, or documentaries, they’re worth your time (especially since they’re only a few minutes). Live Action Shorts: 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Documentary Shorts: noon Saturday, Feb. 16. Animated Shorts: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $10. Details here.
Violins of Hope (Third Annual Elizabeth Leibson Holocaust Remembrance Lecture) A lot of people agree that one of the saddest part of the nonstop sad-fest that is The Titanic is when the boat is sinking and death is staring them in the face, but the musicians on the deck keep playing. Such is the power of music and the resilience of musicians. The Violins of Hope is a collection of restored instruments played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust: They’ve survived concentration camps, pogroms and many a long journey, and Israeli father and son Amnon and Avshalom have dedicated themselves to restoring them for this presentation of music, storytelling and multimedia. Fred Fox School of Music students and faculty will also perform music by Hans Winterberg and Daniel Asia. 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Crowder Hall, 1017 N. Olive Road. $18 GA, $54 reserved seating and reception. Details here.
The Gila Valley, Globe and Northern Railway Co. Do you know much about this particular railway? It was in operation for just 16 years at the turn of the 20th century, and stretched the 125 miles between Bowie and Globe. But we’re going to refer to railroad historian Richard Dick to tell us more about the matter. He’ll be the third speaker in the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum’s February speaker series and your chance to gain a whole new world of knowledge about the railroads that made today’s world possible. 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, 414 N. Toole Ave. Free. Details here.
VintagePalooza. It’s interesting to think about the VintagePaloozas of the future, where enthusiasts of early 21st century fashion and furniture will haggle over the prices of authentic LuLaRoe leggings and stainless steel refrigerators. But we digress. At this Cat Mountain Station event, you’ll get your pick of a wide variety of vintage items from tons of vendors, all to the tune of live rock music. While you’re there, check out Buffalo Trading Post across the strweet, which has a mix of vintage and new (or as we like to call it, future vintage) clothing, jewelry and housewares, as well as the Coyote Pause Café. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Cat Mountain Station, 2727 S. Kinney Road. Details here.
A Good Festival Tucson. Sure, the title is a little vague, but sometimes it’s good to just celebrate goodness, right? This day full of yoga classes, health & wellness workshops, live music, vendors, beer and a wine garden is a seriously capital-G Good way to spend a Sunday. Take classes like TWERK Fuzion with Chezale, either before or after you visit the wine garden, depending on how good you’re feeling. Desert Yoga Productions & FoodInRoot are putting on this event. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Whistle Stop Depot, 127 W. Fifth St. $15, or free for kids 12 and under. Details here.
Chokehold. Directed by Arizona filmmaker Brian Skiba, this action/drama follows a woman’s mission in seeking revenge on the mob for the death of her father. But how does she do it? By battling her way up the ladder of underground mixed martial arts. The Screening Room presents this brand new film, with MLB star and former Arizona basketball standout Kenny Lofton in person doing a Q&A after the film. 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. 127 E. Congress. $12.50. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.
