Thursday 16
GOING TO TIMBUKTU. A University of Arizona professor shares photos of his travels to the exotic countries of Senegal and Mali.
In the Land of Timbuktu: A Glimpse into West Africa gives viewers a feel for the countries' vibrant cultures. Colorful costumes, fascinating traditions, faces and architecture will grace the walls at Centric Photo, where all of the shots were printed digitally, using wide-format inkjet and dye sublimation technologies.
Michael E. Bonnie, who has worked at UA since 1975, began his career in photography while doing doctoral dissertation research in Iran from 1969 to 1971. His exhibit at Centric is based on his trip to Senegal and Mali in March.
The show will hang at Centric, 3220 E. Speedway Blvd., until November 15. A reception for the artist is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. August 25. For more information, call 325-0065 or check out www.centricphoto.com.
Friday 17
OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS. The name five Scottish musicians came up with for their band is somewhat of a misnomer.
Blind Old Dogs has sought out new avenues, honing a decidedly modern edge for traditional Scottish tunes. The Dogs also have managed to sniff out more than a few original ideas and their sound, a collection of the new and old-with-a-twist, is entirely their own.
The band, from Aberdeen, Scotland, combines songs with wild fiddle tunes in instrumental sets building up to a very full sound. Formed in 1990, Blind Old Dogs last performed in Tucson in March 2000.
Get out to hear old favorites and new numbers from the group's 2001 album, Fit?, during a performance tonight at the Berger Performing Arts Center. The show starts at 8 p.m. at 1200 W. Speedway Blvd., a half-mile west of I-10. All seats are reserved. Tickets cost $17, or $15 for In Concert! members and seniors. Tickets are available at Hear's Music, 2508 N. Campbell Ave., and Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets can be charged by phone at 327-4809.
FIVE SPOT. Wesley Farrell is at it again, digging into crime scenes as the star private investigator in Pale Shadows.
The adventures of Farrell, an African-American P.I., fuel Robert Skinner's fifth book in a series set in the 1940s in New Orleans.
Skinner, who is widely known for his nonfiction writing on the career of novelist Chester Himes and on the American hard-boiled crime story, will discuss his latest efforts and sign copies of Pale Shadows in an event today.
The signing at Clues Unlimited bookstore in Broadway Village begins at 5 p.m. For more information, call 326-8533 or e-mail info@cluesunlimited.com.
JUST BEAT IT. Get in the rhythm of fun by banging on a drum.
Drummers of all ages and sexes beat together on the third Friday of every month, so today's the day. Newcomers as well as veteran thumpers are welcome.
Pounders are urged to bring drums, rattles, bells, sticks or any other fascinating instrument. Also, all participants can take a turn at the big drum, which is 36 inches in diameter.
The free event takes place at 7 tonight at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4831 E. 22nd St., between Swan and Craycroft Roads, in the Awareness Room or outside if weather permits.
Everyone is invited to enjoy this ancient form of relaxation. For more information, call 790-4933.
Saturday 18
BRUISING BLUES. One look at the photo of Eric Sardinas on the cover of his new CD and one word comes to mind--ROCKER.
The CD's title, Devil's Train, does little to dispel the notion. Not that there isn't something to the impression that this is a rockin' CD. It is, but it is blues to the core.
"This record explores everything I've ever learned, but at the same time it uses blues as a jumping-off point to go deeper," said Sardinas, who will be playing tonight at Nimbus Brewery and Tap Room.
Sardinas, whose blistering ferocity has raised more than a few eyebrows among purists, defends his music as a soulful sound whose time has come.
"It's an aggressive record, but it's from the heart," he said. "I have utmost respect for the traditional blues, and no matter how hard the music gets you can always hear the key ingredients of blues in these tracks."
Roadhouse Rockin' Blues with Eric Sardinas, presented by Terry O' Productions, starts at 9 tonight at Nimbus, 3850 E. 44th St. (Go south on the Palo Verde Overpass, take your first left on to 44th Street and follow the signs.) For more information, call 745-9175.
THE EVERLY SISTERS? The Burns Sisters' harmony is so sweet that Nashville's Music Row calls it the best since the Everly Brothers.
That's some kind of praise, but not too surprising, perhaps; Annie, Marie and Jeannie Burns have been humming along together virtually their entire lives.
The sisters, kids numbers seven, eight and nine in a family of 14, make music ranging from country and gospel to folk and rhythm and blues. Their songs concern themselves with creation, heart and soul, the search for truth, human fallibility, the healing power of faith, and love.
Country Music magazine wrote that it was a "sheer pleasure to tell the world about them" and compared the trio to the Rankin Family and the Judds. The blended voices of the Burns Sisters, whose newest album, Out of the Blue, raced to the top of the Gavin and CMJ charts and earned them rave reviews in USA Today and People, have been described as "the sound of angel wings."
The group performs at 8 tonight. The show is part of Plaza Palomino's fourth annual Courtyard Concert Series. The plaza is located at Fort Lowell and Swan roads. Tickets cost $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Antigone Books, Brew and Vine, City Grill, Hear's Music and Enchanted Earthworks. To charge tickets by phone or for more information, call 297-9133. You can also charge tickets online by going to www.dotucson.com and clicking on "concerts."
PLAYING TRICKS. A couple of magicians in demand all over the world will be playing tricks on Tucson.
Gary and Renee Laramore, just back in the United States after a tour that included performances in Japan and Korea, are the featured performers for tonight's 14th annual magic extravaganza called Stars of Magic.
The event at the historic Temple of Music and Art downtown is sponsored by the local assembly of the Society of American Magicians. In years past, the show's been sold out, so get your tickets now.
Show times are 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. today. Tickets are $10 adults and $8 children 12 and under, available at Williams Magic and Novelties, 6528 E. 22nd St. or at the door. For more information, call 790-4060.
A SHOW OF GRATITUDE. A local theater company will make a stop at El Con Mall this weekend to show some thanks for the support it's received from the community.
Arizona Rose Theatre Company is putting on a Thank You Arizona tour, which includes 20-minute musical previews of the group's 2001-2002 season.
Five free performances are scheduled, at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday. All shows take place at center court, directly in front of Penney's. For more information, call 888-0509.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH. City Council member Shirley Scott and the Ward 4 office is trying to start something.
A back-to-school bash Scott hopes will become tradition is scheduled for today at Clements Center. The all-day event begins with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast, followed by a bike rodeo. Other activities include a parade and displays manned by members of SWAT, Tucson Fire Department, Pima County Sheriff's Department and other organizations.
Free raffles and free admission to the Clements Center pool, including the family movie night, which begins at 7:30 p.m., cap a full day of free fun. Clements Center is located at 8155 E. Poinciana Drive. For more information, call 791-3199.
Sunday 19
QUEENS OF HEART. Zulu, Sotho, Sahangaan and Xhosa.
Blend them up and you'll have the Mahotella Queens' brand of Mbaquanga music, a style that has captured the appreciation of audiences around the world.
A wild African dance show, the three queens, Hilda Tloubatla, Mildred Mangxola and Nobesuthu Mbadu, leading with wild vocal harmonies, bring a nine-piece dance band direct from South Africa.
This is Afro-pop at its best, with full costumes and high energy. The group just won the WOMEX award for 2000 World Music Artist of the Year.
The show starts at 7:30 tonight at the International Arts Center, 516 N. Fifth Ave., just west of the light at Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street. It's general admission, with some seating and lots of room for dancing. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $18 for InConcert! members and $2 more at door. There's limited hall capacity, so buying Queens tickets now is smart: A sell-out is probable--fewer than 600 tickets are available. Tickets are available at Hear's Music, 2508 N. Campbell Ave., and Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave., or by calling 327-4809.
RETURN PERFORMANCE. The Blue Prairie Dogs are returning for the fourth time to the Tucson Farmers' Market.
The cowboy-Western musicians are always a hit, so don't miss them.
The performance begins at 9:30 a.m. today at the market, where you'll also find 20 vendors selling organically grown vegetables and fruits, hydroponically-grown tomatoes, meat, teas, honey and more.
The market, open 7 a.m. to noon, is in St. Philip's Plaza, at the corner of River Road and Campbell Avenue. For more information, call 743-8063 or e-mail rbruner@dakotacom.net.
Monday 20
MIND OVER MONDAY. If you're like many worker-bees, sometimes Monday just plain sucks.
Get a grip after your next particularly bad Monday by focusing on things more important than the world of cubicles and ringing telephones.
Meditation Monday, every week from 7 to 8 p.m., may be just the thing to put your brain back in the right place.
The gathering is non-sectarian and appropriate for all experience levels. Beginners are most welcome.
Donations of $5 get you into the meditation sessions at 4828 E. Grant Road, Suite 11. For more information, call Georgina Davis at 327-5982.
Tuesday 21
GRAB A BITE. God, not another soggy sub.
If you work downtown and you're getting weary of the usual lunchtime fare, take a walk over to La Placita Village today for a taste of something different.
The village is hosting a Food Court every Tuesday. A variety of lunch menus will be available from La Placita's five restaurants, and live music will be provided as well.
The restaurant lineup at La Placita includes Deb's Coney Café, Tamalez Mexican Grill, Lume Trattoria and Wine Bar, Scooter's Express-o Café and Igolosi Taverna Italiana.
Can't make it for lunch? Visit La Placita Village downtown later for its unique outdoor food court, dining, festivals and other special weekly events.
La Placita Village is located off of 110 S. Church Ave. Call 622-0077 for more information. The Tuesday lunch events are from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 622-0077.
Wednesday 22
SOMETHING'S GROWING ON. A couple of hours from Tucson is a beautiful botanical garden many people don't know about.
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is located on the edge of the low desert near Superior, just a two-hour drive from town.
You'll find it, but here's the address: 37615 E. Highway 60.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is just $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 5 to 12. The gardens are free for children 4 and under. For more information, call 520-689-2811.
