AND THE WINNER IS: Well, there's no lack of things to do in the coming weeks. We can look forward to the Pima County Fair, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair, the upcoming Folk Festival...but the Tucson Area Music Awards are, of course, first and foremost on the list of what's cool on the horizon. The Tammies Awards Night will dazzle with glamour on par with the Grammys from 7:30 p.m. until you're asked to "please exit the lobby, folks" on Wednesday, April 16. The festivities take place at the Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Best of all, they're OUTSIDE--yea! certainly you remember how much fun outside shows at the Congress are!--with shows scheduled inside the Club following the Awards presentation and outdoor showcase. There will be plenty of table seating outside the stage tent, but you'll still want to be on the ball and arrive early, so as not to miss any of the action. Here's a rundown of all the fabulous fun: The emcee for the evening will be none other than Tucson musician Dave Slutes, whose sparkling charm and pithy wit will put Billy Crystal to shame. Mr. Slutes might be joined by one of your favorite KFMA celebs, but mum's the word on who it may be. The doors open at 7:30 p.m., and Combo Chameleon takes the stage at 8 p.m. for a short set. Awards for Best Country, Acoustic, Ethnic and Latin follow. Then at 8:40 p.m. you'll be treated to the Sounds of Brazil, followed by awards for Best Jazz, Blues, Soul and Reggae. Slated for 9:30 p.m. is One Blood, followed by awards for Best Individual Musicians, as well as the Hall of Fame Award. Shortly after 10 p.m., miracle man Rainer Ptacek will be the highlight of the evening, followed by the awards for the Best Alternative, Hard Rock, Metal, Lounge, Roots/Rockabilly and Cover Band. Performing at 11:40 p.m. will be 9 Days Wonder, and, saving the best for last, awards for Band of the Year, Musician of the Year, Best New Band and Release of the Year will be announced. The party moves indoors following the final presentations, estimated to be around 11:30 p.m. Whoop it up inside with some of the winners to the sounds of Rich Hopkins and the Luminarios and Duarte 6. Because of time constraints, not every category--we had a total of 55, plus whatever suggestions you all sent in--will be presented. Winners for categories not presented on Awards night will be listed in the exclusive TAMMIES insert in the April 17 issue of The Weekly. A lot of people busted a lot of ass to pull this together, for which we fans of music owe a huge debt of gratitude, and the Tammies Awards Night is only the beginning. Next week's insert will feature a complete guide to the other half of the Tammies celebration, The Tucson Weekly Club Crawl. You've seen those groovy posters all around town, now get out there and pick up a wristband for Tucson's best band fest. Call 690-6427 for more information. LAST NOTES: Fresh from a short touring stint of Borders Books & Music stores in southern California, Joe Rush and Todd Hammes return to the desert for a big gig at 10 p.m. Saturday, April 12, in the Cairo Room at The Outback, 296 N. Stone Ave. If you haven't caught them lately, you'll definitely want to make it out for this show. The duo's been getting admirable attention with their second full length CD, Three Hours With Pete, which was voted one of the Top 10 Critic's Choice independent releases in the German Rolling Stone. And from farther-flung places on the planet, there are two shows not to be missed, but, sadly, happening at the same time on the same night. Brought all the way from Caracas and straight to you by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music is Cuarteto Rios Reyna, with pianist Monique Duphil. The fab four perform at 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, at TCC Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets are $14 for general admission; students pay only $4 with I.D. Call 298-5806 for more information. And Madagascar roots band Tarika shares an amalgam of traditional rhythms and pointed political awareness with Tucson, also at 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. Tickets are $14, $12 for members of KXCI and TFTM, and $2 more on the day of the show. Call 795-5685 for more information. I wish I had enough space to highlight all the talent arriving in town in connection with the Pima County Fair, running April 10 through 20 at the Pima County Fairgrounds, but there's simply too many hot acts. So, if I had to pick just one, which, in effect I do, I'd choose Ben Folds Five. The Chapel Hill trio is touring a new record, Whatever and Ever Amen, and we've just begun hearing their latest single on KFMA. You can catch them as part of the Dr. Pepper Free College Student Day at 8 p.m. on Monday, April 14, on the Cantina Stage. Don't forget your student ID, or you'll pay $5 at the gate like the other civilians. Call 792-3930 for more information. ON THE SNIDE SIDE: Barry's coming! I'm man enough to admit I know all the words to "Copa Cabana," and would wager there are a surprising number of others out there with the same sick secret. Hot on the heels of his 26th Top-40 record (out of his catalogue of 29 records), Manilow's Tucson show date is fast approaching on June 24. Apparently he'll sing whatever you want to hear--the audience will have some sort of switch to click in order to pick the songs (that make the whole world sing). Kinda like what Elvis Costello did some years back with that wheel of all his songs, only not quite as cool.... --Lisa Weeks

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