Tucson Weekly: Listings: Special Events (March 12

SPECIAL EVENTS
Events This Week
Listings BIKE WEEK '98. Several events are planned to celebrate bike week '98, promoting bicycle friendliness in Tucson and raising awareness of alternate modes of transportation. Don't miss the biggest bike swap meet in the state, the GABA Bike Fest and Swap. The event draws thousands of cycling enthusiasts as well as representatives of most local bike clubs and cycling organizations. The Swap Meet is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the PCC West Campus parking lot. Also a part of Bike Week '98 festivities, join local political officials and community cyclists in a race against cars to downtown El Presidio Park. Free coffee, juice and pastries await riders at the finish from 7:30 to 9 :30 a.m. on Tuesday March 17. And wear green, it's Saint Patrick's Day.
BRUNCH WITH A BEAT. Arizona Historical Society Auditorium. 949 E. Second St. The Tucson Chapter of the African American Historical and Genealogical Society sponsors Brunch With a Beat at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14. Dr. Mark Sunkett discusses African Americans and Mandiani: Learning the Old Way?, with demonstrations and explanations of various aspects of African and African American music. Admission is free, with a brunch of ethnic foods offered for $8.50. Reservations are recommended. Call Emily Ricketts at 327-0200 or Gloria Smith at 886-4212 for information.
COINS, STAMPS & COLLECTIBLES. American Legion Post No. 36. 5845 E. 22nd St. The next Southern Arizona Coin, Club Stamp and Collectible Show, featuring a wide variety of post cards, sports cards and first-issue covers, meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15. Admission and parking are free. For information contact "Bo" Bobjack at 742-2002.
IT'S MAGIC. The Gaslight Theater. 7010 E. Broadway. Enjoy "An Evening of International Award-winning Magic" on Monday, March 16. The show stars Eric Buss, named Top Stage Musician of 1996 by The International Brotherhood of Stage Musicians, and features Adrian VanVactor, Melbourne Christopher and Lance Burton. Rounding out the evening are the comedy magic antics of Brian Moore. Doors open at 6 p.m. with close-up magic performed tableside until the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Williams' Magic. Call Gene Collins at 886-0543 for more information.
CALLING ALL REDHEADS. The Irish American Gaelic Society invites all redheads to attend the annual Redheads of Tucson Family Potluck/Picnic on Saturday, March 14, at Fort Lowell Park, Ramada 2. The event features a variety of contests including "Best Red Beard" and "Best Dye Job," with cash prizes for the "Famous Redhead Lookalike Contest." Competition begins at 1 p.m., with childrens events from 2 to 4 p.m. Burgers and hotdogs will be available. Participants are asked to bring a sidedish or dessert. A donation of $2 per person, $5 per family. Call 886-0962 for more information.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE. Sponsored by the Irish American Gaelic Society, the 11th Annual St. Patrick's day Parade begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17. The marching starts at the intersection of 17th Street and Sixth Avenue. The theme of this year's parade is "The Irish Family," celebrating the special contributions of Irish families to American culture in general, and to the Tucson community in particular. A St. Patrick's Day Festival with music, food, games and crafts continues in Armory Park from noon until 6 p.m. The Tucson Children's Museum offers a reduced admission of $2 per person during the festival.
SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL. The Spirit Weavers present their second-annual Spring Arts & Crafts Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, at Ventana Village on East Sunrise Drive and Kolb Road. Festival includes the unique work of over 80 artisans, including fine arts, traditional Native American crafts, Russian crafts, stained glass, metal art, ceramics, furniture, jewelry and more. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Mobile Meals of Tucson. Free admission and parking. Call 546-4656 for more information.
TEX-MEX JAM. Kennedy Park Outdoor Performance Facility. Viva Tucson! The annual C.P.L.C. event features food, fun and outdoor performances of local music from noon until 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. There's parking available on Ajo Way and also on La Cholla Boulevard. Call 882-0018 for information.
WALKING TOURS. The Arizona Historical Society presents Walking Tours of Historic Tucson from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, throughout March. Beginning at the Sosa-Carillo-Frémont House Museum, the tour canvasses more than 20 homes, sites and buildings. Cost is $4.50. Reservations are required. Call 622-0956 for reservations and information.
WAREHOUSE WALKING TOURS. Hotel Congress Lobby. 311 E. Congress St. The Tucson Arts District Partnership offers tours of the historic downtown warehouse district from 9 to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of the month, through May 1998. This expert-guided tour covers a one mile area, and includes an overview of the area's history, with brief visits to several artists' studios. Call 624-9977 for information.