Thursday 3
ITSY BITSY SPIDER. Long before Babe, Wilbur and Charlotte talked their way into the hearts of many readers in the classic Charlotte's Web. Wise Charlotte taught us about friendship, loyalty and life. Not bad for a spider.
Recapture the magical tale in the theater production of Charlotte's Web, opening today and performed by Childsplay, a nonprofit theater company of professional, adult artists who perform for and teach young audiences and their families. The American classic by E.B. White has been adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette. All performances are at Pima Community College Center for the Arts, 2202 W. Anklam Road, and cost $15. Special school performances are today, October 4, and October 8-11. Public show times are 2 and 5 p.m. on October 5 and 12, and 2 p.m. on October 6 and 13. Call the Pima Community College Center for the Arts box office at 206-6986 for more information.
FOUND A PEANUT. Wilde! A Theatre Company, Tucson's newest acting troupe, presents Found a Peanut, an adult play about childhood by Donald Margulies at the Muse, 515 N. Fifth Ave., beginning tonight through Oct. 13.
The play concerns six Jewish children, ages 5 through 12, living in Brooklyn in 1962. On the last day of summer vacation, the leader of their group is not there, and memorable things happen, some good and some bad.
The play will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $12, $10 for seniors and students.
IN THE MOOD. Glenn Miller really got them dancing in the '40s. Too young to recall? Today, Brian Setzer's Orchestra is recapturing the big band music. Learn how to swing dance to both eras of music tonight from 8 to 10 p.m. at Bookman's, 6230 E. Speedway Blvd. A beginner's lesson starts at 8. All skill levels are welcome at no charge. So put on those dancin' shoes but leave your zoot suit at home.
Friday 4
RENEGADE POETS. You've been warned. They're coming and they're coming fast. Reader's Oasis clears a path tonight at 7 p.m. for Fandango 8, the Tucson poetry group comprised of eight Tucson-based female writers. Their mission is to spread the joy of poetry to the residents of the Old Pueblo.
This mysterious crew of poetic women joined together two years ago and have been riding the range and performing their poetry at venues across the city ever since. While their daytime identities range from car mechanic to arts fund-raising specialist, by night the Fandango 8 assume the role of poetry ambassadors, spreading the joy of poetry.
After tonight's performance, you'll have the opportunity to walk away with a steal--a collection of Fandango 8 poetry for only $8. Catch the showdown at 3400 E. Speedway Blvd. Call 319-7887 for more information. You done been told.
BENEFIT FOR A FRIEND. A UA music student who brings the joy of music to Arizona Cancer Center patients is now battling the same disease.
Katherine Kitzman, a doctoral candidate in flute performance, is enrolled in the UA School of Music's Camerata program and was diagnosed with breast cancer in March. As part of the coursework, Kitzman and fellow music student oboist Christa Robinson performed in the "Music at the Center" series at the Arizona Cancer Center.
UA faculty and students have volunteered their time and talents to arrange a free benefit concert for Katherine tonight at 7:30. The concert, at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St., features artists from the University of Arizona School of Music. Donations are welcome with checks made out to Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, memo to Katherine Kitzman Benefit Fund.
Saturday 5
INDIAN GIFTER. Hats off to Mrs. Marjorie Pierce Avery of San Antonio, Texas. In 1999, Mrs. Avery gave the Arizona State Museum 360 original paintings by contemporary American Indian artists, largely from the American Southwest. Starting today through April 30, 90 of these paintings will be exhibited in the museum's Connections Across Generations: The Avery Collection of American Indian Paintings.
The paintings bracket the period 1935 to 1990 and depict scenes from daily life. The art commemorates the many blessings religious life bestows upon native people and their communities. Works illustrating industry, occupations, architecture and the animal world are also included.
The museum is located at Park Avenue and University Boulevard, just east of the UA main gate. Join a guided tour at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Call 621-6302 for more information.
STAR GAZING. Are the stars out tonight? Do you know if it's cloudy or bright? OK, we only have eyes for you, but tonight we'll be looking toward the heavens.
To help us see clearly, local amateur astronomers share their telescopes and binoculars to offer free public viewing of the attractions in Arizona's night sky. This shebang (or should we say big bang?) happens from 6 to 11 p.m. at the main parking lot of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road. Stargazers can admire Venus, the Milky Way and a myriad of nebulae and galaxies--sites that make the Arizona sky the envy of astronomers the world over. Members of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association explain the great views and introduce all interested parties to the wonders of the cosmos.
Bring warmer attire; remember that dry heat turns into cool evenings. Have the kids join you, but leave Fido at home. If rain or heavy clouds appear, the event will be canceled. Let's hope that doesn't happen. We're ready to beam aboard. If you are too, call the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum at 883-1380 or visit www.tucson astronomy.org for more information.
Sunday 6
TOGETHER AT LAST. For years, science and theology have been at odds over the theories of creation and evolution. Science upholds the natural laws of nature. Theology champions the laws of the Creator. Can't they just get along? Well, the folks at St. Philip's In The Hills Episcopal Church are trying to bring these two disciplines together.
In the Science and Theology Series, participants are invited to confront barriers that prevent the integration of science and theology. Be ready: Classical stereotypes and century-old myths are challenged. An open mind is a requirement for this series.
Today's free session is "The Nature of Religion: How Did Religions Develop?" Held at St. Philip's La Parroquia, Campbell Avenue at River Road, the session is scheduled 3:30-5:15 p.m. Pre-register by calling 299-6421.
APPLAUSE FOR ARCHITECTS. Have you ever taken the time to really look at a building? Study its shape and characteristics? Truly marvel at the creation before you? Now is a great time to start because it's Architecture Week.
To celebrate, the Southern Arizona chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) features an architecture tour of local works today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Six homes and three commercial buildings will be showcased, representing a range of architectural styles from traditional with unique interiors to contemporary with clean detailing.
Tickets for the tour are $15. Proceeds for the tour benefit Parent Aid Child Abuse Prevention Center, a non-profit organization that helps prevent child abuse by providing families in-home services. Tickets can be purchased at Borders Books at 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. and 4235 N. Oracle Road, Fuego Restaurant at 6958 E. Tanque Verde Road, Copenhagen Gift Shop at 3660 E. Fort Lowell Road and Reproductions, Inc., 234 E. Sixth St. For additional ticket locations and information, call the AIA office at 323-2191.
Monday 7
MUSICAL TAPESTRY. Back in the '70s, Tapestry referred to Carole King's landmark album. Today, there are groups that perform many types of music, weaving together improvisation and unique sound. One can't help but use the word tapestry to describe their style.
One such trio is D'Oud, which plays a combination of Moroccan, Gnawa, Berber, klezmer, jazz, funk and R&B. D'Oud is composed of band members Ed Friedland on bass, Matt Mitchell on guitar and Brahim Fribgane playing oud and doumbek, creating the group's eclectic sound. The band's gigs have been packed with an enthusiastic cross-section of listeners.
Be one of the listeners tonight as the threesome play at 8 p.m. at the Mat Bevel Institute, 530 N. Stone Ave. Tickets are only $5 at the door. Call 882-7154 for details.
Tuesday 8
MOVIE MAGIC. Some of Hollywood's favorite westerns were filmed right in our own backyard. Clint Eastwood in Joe Kidd, Kurt Russell in Wyatt Earp and Gene Hackman in The Quick and the Dead all wore their dusty boots in the town of Mescal.
Mescal has been available to Hollywood filmmakers for nearly 35 years as an authentic western movie set, but has been closed to the general public until now. Old Tucson Studios offers guided photo and walking tours of the town every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Each hour, on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., guides lead visitors on a 45-minute cinematic tour focusing on the history of Mescal and on the most famous stars and recognizable scenes filmed there. So even though you can't walk in Clint's boots, you can retrace his steps. It might just make your day.
In the true Wild West tradition, Mescal currently offers no food or beverage service, no telephones, running water, electricity or restroom facilities. Visitors, however, can see genuine tumbleweeds and grazing cattle at no extra charge.
The Mescal tour ticket price of $8 can be applied as a discount toward admission to Old Tucson Studios with receipt. To get to Mescal, take 1-10 east toward Benson to exit 297. Take Mescal Road north three miles and turn left where the pavement ends. Head west one-half mile (on a dirt road) to the town of Mescal. For further information about the tour, call 883-0100.
BUSINESS DEVOTION. With the frequency of poor customer service these days, it doesn't seem like the customer is always right anymore. It's a good thing there are those who teach new business owners the basics of business operations.
In today's lecture, "Home Based Business Council," the Arizona Small Business Association highlights the keys to total customer satisfaction and building exceptional customer loyalty. After all, customer loyalty is what every business wants to achieve. The lecture, from 9 to 11 a.m., is free to first-time participants. ASBA membership packets will be available at the lecture, held at 4444 E. Grant Road, Suite 119. For more information, call 327-0222.
Wednesday 9
SPANISH LEGACY. History lesson of the day: Within 250 years, Spain colonized two-thirds of the Western hemisphere, from the tip of South America north into what is today the Southwestern United States, creating one of the largest empires in history. Wonder how they did it? Find out tonight at 7 p.m. at the Arizona Historical Society Museum auditorium, 949 E. Second St.
Dr. John L. Kessell, professor emeritus at the University of New Mexico, discusses the three swells of Spanish exploration (Coronado, Melgares and Kino) that rolled north from Mexico across the coasts and high deserts of the western borderlands. Obtain a signed copy of his latest book, Spain in the Southwest: A Narrative History of Colonial New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and California.
The lecture costs $6 for the general public, $5 for AHS members and $3 for students with identification. Funds raised from the lecture directly support educational programs for schools and the community. Call the AHS Museum at 628-5774 for more information.
