HOT, HOT, HOT: There are two big outdoor festivals here in the Big Heat this weekend, so smear sunscreen all over each other and grab a big bottle of your favorite sissy water, 'cause if the sun doesn't scorch your hiney, the music will. The Rally In The Sun offers up a rare opportunity to catch a sampling of the best Tucson/ Phoenix/Tempe bands at Rillito Park, on First Avenue at River Road, beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. Work up an honest sweat with scheduled performances by Black Moon Graffiti, Phunk Junkeez, Frank Lloyd Vinyl, One, The Drakes, Dead Hot Workshop, Sand Rubies and special guests the Refreshments, whom you've been hearing a lot on KFMA. I can't recall the last time this much Arizona talent has come together in one place with so much to celebrate. Most of the featured performers have records out, drawing some well-deserved national attention. Tickets are $10 in advance, available at Foley's, Blockbuster Music and Discount Records. Charge by phone at 321-1000. The price is $15 at the gate, so get 'em early. The 11th Annual Tucson Folk Festival takes place in El Presidio Park in downtown Tucson on Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, offering continuous live contemporary folk, blues, Bluegrass, folk-rock, ethnic, ragtime and gospel musical performances by local and national acts on two stages, presented free to the public. Featured artists include the charming rockabilly filly Rosie Flores, who will perform at 9 p.m. on Saturday and again at 8 p.m on Sunday. The versatile and poetic Michael Jonathon will play Saturday at 6:30 p.m., with eclecto-maniac duo Small Potatoes following at 8 p.m. The dynamic Cosy Sheridan takes the stage on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Local talent scheduled to perform over the course of the weekend include Lisa Otey, Milkseed, To Ree Nee, The Titan Valley Warheads, The Arnold/Kligenfus Ensemble, Stefan George & Songtower, and The Ronstadt Family Singers, among many others. The festival begins at noon on Saturday with Mr. Stew and the Dino Drummers entertaining the children. Sunday performances begin at 11 a.m. There will be a variety of food and crafts for sale. LAST NOTES: If things are too hot at the folk fest, chill at the Rialto, 318 E. Congress, where there is a four band ska shake-up on Saturday, May 4, starring the brilliantly crazed Skankin' Pickle, whose repertoire includes a loopy tribute to comic actress Margaret Cho and a smokin' version of "Turning Japanese," turning the mindless ditty into a boozy halucination. The music is fast and tight, the perfect complement to hot days and restless nights. Less Than Jake, The Skeletones and Dave's Big Delux open the show doing some nasty skankin' of their own beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance for this all-ages show, available at Zia Records, Toxic Ranch, CD Depot and Itchy Foot Moe's. Call 740-1986 for more information. Boogie kings Kool & The Gang play the Outback, 296 N. Stone Ave., on Thursday, May 2. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show starts at 9. Tickets are $20.50. Call 622-4700 for more information. The Drakes play Club Congress, 311 E. Congress, on Friday, May 3. Howe Gelb and Super Monkey open. The show starts at 9 p.m. and $4 will get you through the door. Call 622-8848 for more information. Varnaline appears at Cafe Luna Loca, 546 N. Stone Ave., on Friday, May 3, at 8:30 p.m. The show is all ages and starts at 8:30 p.m. Call 882-4488 for ticket information. Singer/songwriter Catie Curtis appears in concert with special guest Karen Capaldi at the Southwest Center for Music, 2175 N. Sixth Ave., on Wednesday, May 8, at 8 p.m. Curtis' musical style forgoes sentimentality for a more straight-ahead lyrical approach, placing her at the forefront of the contemporary folk movement. Tickets are $8 in advance, $7 for KXCI, TFTM and TKMA members, available at Antigone Books, Hear's Music and Southwest Center for Music. Tickets will be $1 more at the door. Call 884-1220 for more information. It's a psychobilly baptism by fire with Rev. Horton Heat at Club Congress on Wednesday, May 8. The Cows open the show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance available at Club Congress. The price jumps to $14 day of show. THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE: A few weeks ago, SoundBites put out a call for songs the FBI could play to drive the Freemen from their Montana bunker. We're proud to announce the winner: Neil Lowenthal, who recommended "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division. As Neil explains, "The stark, insightful lyrics would allow them to see the hopelessness and futility of their situation, leading to a peaceful surrender. Worst case scenario, they hang themselves." Yep--sounds reasonable. Neil, let me know your CD preference via e-mail. --Jennifer Murphy

		© 1995-97 Tucson Weekly . Info Booth