Tucson Weekly: City Week (December 24

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Thursday 25

A CHRISTMAS PRIMER. It's the biggest, most highly charged holiday of the year (no pun intended). But beyond the jam-packed shopping malls, plastic trees and insidious commercialization, there may be a few things about this ancient seasonal rite you don't know.
City Week While Christmas specifically celebrates of the birth of Jesus, the roots of this mid-winter holiday spread far and wide, from the Druids to the Romans to the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Actually, the date of Christmas itself has been contested over time; the festival was held on January 6 in the Roman Empire's eastern reaches. But by the fourth century, December 25 was generally accepted as the big day, despite a few stubborn holdouts like the Armenian Church, which continued celebrating Christ's birth in early January.
Ironically, there's no undisputed reason why the holiday even lands on December 25 at all. But there are hints. It's been suggested that early Christians wanted the date to coincide with Roman pagan festivals marking the "birthday of the unconquered sun," better known as the winter solstice, a time when the days begin to lengthen and the sun starts climbing higher in the sky. Meanwhile, northern peoples considered the sun a fiery wheel alternately throwing its glow upon the earth and away from it. This sun wheel was called hweol, which may be the roots of the word "yule."
For Jews, the period is known as the "Festival of Lights," or Hanukkah, marking the defeat of the Syrian army and reclamation of Jerusalem in 165 BC. Recovering the ruins of their sacred temple, the triumphant Jews were subsequently dismayed to find all the sacred oil vaporized, save for one jar which was expected to burn only for a day. But it lasted for eight, hence the eight-day celebration leading to December 25.
In Scandinavian countries, huge fires were annually lit to defy the Frost King. It was during these long winter nights that men feared transformation into savage werewolves, as well as temptation by soul-stealing Valkerie maidens who regularly hustled their spiritual captives to an eerie netherworld called Valhalla.
Early Egyptians enjoyed a midwinter festival, claiming that Horus, son of Isis, was born at the end of December. December 25 is also regarded as the birthday of the Iranian mystery god Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness. At the same time, German and Celtic Yule rites commemorate the Teutonic penetration into Gaul, Britain and central Europe, a period marked by the Yule log, Yule cakes, greenery, fir trees and gift-giving.
From their enormous roofless temples, the Druids noted this season with blazing torches and mistletoe-laden ceremonies, while the Roman holidays of Brumalia and Juvenalia were merged into a celebration of the deity Saturnus, whose wisdom guided the crafts of agriculture. It was a period marked by singing processions, men dressing like animals, slaves mocking their masters, and plenty of downright orneriness.
By 742, Pope Zacharius had put the kibosh on such revelry, proclaiming it heathenish.
Of course, for modern American culture, the reason behind selecting December 25 as the big day is refreshingly obvious: It allows the shopping season to dovetail nicely with Thanksgiving.
Merry Christmas!

Friday 26

ANOTHER TAKE. Right through the end of this month, Barbea William's Performing Company dishes up a rich holiday variation with the Kwanzaa African Market.
Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African-American professor of black studies at Long Beach State in California, conceived the holiday in 1966 to honor African culture and inspire unity among African-American communities.
Based on traditional African harvest festivals, some 20 million people in the United States, Africa, Europe and Canada celebrate Kwanzaa from today through January 1. Williams is among them. "For me, Kwanzaa's about bringing family values and energy back into the fold," she says. "It's about spending time with your children and teaching them about who they are so that they have a positive self-identity as an African person born in America."
Each day of the festival is marked by a principle, such as unity, collective work and responsibility. And each is noted by lighting a single candle, or mishumaa, representing that day's principle. Traditional African dishes are served each evening, followed by passing the cup of unity, or kikombe cha umoja.
"We choose to celebrate Kwanzaa because we're choosing to celebrate ourselves," Williams says. "And it's an opportunity to share something about who you are to the people in your community."
You and yours can join the celebration with music, dance, crafts and storytelling at the Kwanzaa African Market, located at 44 W. Sixth St. For more information concerning specific times and events, call 628-7785.

Saturday 27

WELCOME BACK. "Her solos marry lightning virtuosity with melodic sophistication and unhindered soul," Blues Revue magazine says of former Tucson fiddler Heather Hardy. "And when she runs her Zeta five-string electric violin through a wah-wah pedal on 'Lucille,' it sounds like the freewheeling bastard-child of a guitar and saxophone."
A Connecticut native with classical musical training, Hardy arrived in Tucson in 1990, firing up the Old Pueblo during her seven-year stint with the legendary Sam Taylor band. Her style was powerful and burning, recalling influences ranging from Papa John Creach to Gatemouth Brown.
Sadly for us, Hardy moved to the Big Apple last June. But there's a silver lining: She's back, for what will doubtlessly prove a rollicking pair of reunion gigs with Sam Taylor and Friends.
Performances are 9 tonight and tomorrow in the Boondocks Lounge, 3306 N. First Ave. Tickets are $5 in advance and for TBS and KXCI members, available at Hear's Music and Piney Hollow. Tickets are $7 at the door. For details, call 690-0991.
GOOD SPORTS. Sporting Chance is a locally based non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids stay on the straight and narrow with healthy athletic activity. Since its 1993 founding, the group has reached more than 8,000 youngsters through its sports and educational programs.
Today, Sporting Chance continues that tradition with the Tucson Holiday Tip-Off basketball tournament. Featuring 84 teams made up of some 900 kids between the ages of 8 and 14, the three-day tournament will be held on courts all over town.
Tournament hours today and tomorrow are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations: Pueblo High School, 3500 S. 12th Ave.; Palo Verde High School, 1302 S. Avenida Vega; and Bear Down Gym, located on the UA campus at the south side of the main mall. Play-offs run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday in Bear Down Gym only. Admission is free. For information, call 888-1212.

Sunday 28

GREAT LINES. Born in Switzerland in 1895, architect Josias Joesler made his way to Tucson, where he became one of the Old Pueblo's best loved and most distinctive architects. While tapping a variety of designs, he was most noted for popularizing the Spanish Colonial Revival style in such familiar local landmarks as Broadway Village and St. Philip's in the Hills Church, and in early homes in Catalina Foothills Estates.
Enter R. Brooks Jeffery. A prime promoter of this town's structural past, Jeffery is curator of the Arizona Architectural Archives, which likewise aims "to raise the awareness of the integral role of the built environment in our region." Located at the UA and operating solely on donations, the archives collects, preserves, documents and disseminates records pertaining to the architectural development of southern Arizona.
Today, Jeffery furthers those lofty goals with a tour of Joesler designs, which includes transportation and brunch. Tour runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and meets at the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Road. Fee is $50, and advance registration is required. Tours will also be held on Sunday, January 25, and Sunday, March 22. For registration and other information, call 327-7235.

Monday 29

GOODWILL GATHERING. Start your New Year off right by joining the second-annual Prayer for World Peace. Last year's gathering attracted folks from a myriad of religious traditions, including Buddhists, Pagans, Christians, Jews, Native Americans and Quakers, all meeting in the spirit of Itai Doshin (Many in Body, One in Mind), to offer chants, singing, meditation and wishes for global peace.
Event is 7 p.m. in the Rainbow Moods Bookstore, 3532 E. Grant Road. For details, call 320-1383.
FIGHTING CHANCE. Beginning today, the UA Theatre Arts Department will host the International Stage Combat Workshop, billed as "an exciting and highly visual event" featuring representatives from "the foremost stage combat societies in the world." Workshop is geared toward insiders in the field.
Those groups include the Society of American Fight Directors, the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat, the Nordic Stage Combat Society, Fight Directors Canada, and the British Academy of Dramatic Combat.
Before you cry foul, note that these folks view stage violence as an art, representing the highest standards in effective and safe theatrical fighting. Performances will include such niceties as the rapier, dagger, smallsword, broadsword and quarterstaff, along with plenty of hand-to-hand combat.
The action culminates in a free public performance at 7 p.m. Saturday, January 10, in the UA Marroney Theatre, located on campus at the south end of the pedestrian underpass on Speedway, east of Park Avenue. Donations will benefit Fight For Life, a program that helps fund Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. For details, call 621-9402.

Tuesday 30

FINE LINES. The figurative paintings of Cristina Cárdenas hover between narrative and allegory, exploring complex meditations on the role of women in Mexican society. Now her provocative works are on display in the Temple Gallery.
Influenced by her country's indigenous visual vocabulary, she taps a visual narrative of voices and identities, subverting the myths shrouding and surrounding the female persona. Fictitious and real characters wander throughout, with Cárdenas proclaiming their presence by her graphic use of line and painterly poetics. There are also strong hints of idolatry and religion, using Christian iconography and archetypes.
Whether strong women or little girls, traitors or victims, her figures "give voice" to the real women protagonists of life.
Exhibit runs through January 7 in the Temple Gallery, 330 S. Scott Ave. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and during ATC performances. The gallery will be closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. For information, call 884-4875.

Wednesday 31

LAST DANCE. Those fleet-footed Tucson Friends of Traditional Music host their annual New Year's Eve Dance, with local vociferous types calling out the moves to the rousing, eclectic backdrop of top-notch hometown musicians. Folks are invited to bring munchies and beverages to share.
Event is 8:30 tonight, with a beginners' introduction at 8:15 p.m., in the Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theatre, 330 S. Scott Ave. Admission is $6, $5 for TFTM members, and includes sparkling cider at midnight. For details, call 327-1779.
MULTI-FUN. The culturally minded folks of the European Multi-Ethnic Alliance of Tucson host another legendary New Year's dinner and dance at the Doubletree Hotel.
This local extravaganza has global roots, featuring a fine dinner dished-up by Doubletree chefs, followed by plenty of dancing to live music by Catarina and the Mickey Greco Quartet. "We're already in our eighth year with this," says Alliance president Dave Hensley, "and it just keeps getting more popular. In fact, almost everyone who came last year has already reserved a spot this time."
Some 400 dancers and diners will enjoy a party that features "the best Tucson entertainers and the best food in town, in a rich, multi-ethnic environment," Hensley says.
Event begins at 6:30 tonight with a no-host bar in the Doubletree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way. Tickets are $40 per person, and reservations are recommended. For reservations and other information, call 745-2173.

City Week includes events selected by Calendar Editor Tim Vanderpool. Event information is accurate as of press time. The Weekly recommends calling event organizers to check for last-minute changes in location, time, price, etc. To have material considered, please send complete information at least 11 days prior to the Thursday issue date to: Tucson Weekly, P.O. Box 2429, Tucson, Arizona 85702, or fax information to 792-2096, or email us at listings@tucsonweekly.com.

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