POTTERY'S RENAISSANCE: In the 1950s and '60s the ruins of the Pakime civilization, circa 800 A.D., were excavated in the Mata Ortiz area of Chihuahua, Mexico, revealing a very refined style of pottery known as Casas Grandes. These potters were known for the pinch and coil technique, underground firing, and a unique method of polishing and painting. Two modern-day brothers from the area, Reynaldo and Juan Quezado, have revived the making of Casas Grandes pottery and put Mata Ortiz on the map. Tribal Earthworks, located at 415 N. Fourth Ave., will host potter Reynaldo Quezado and his student Octavio Andrew for a demonstration of their pottery-making techniques from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5. A reception will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 3. For more information call 690-8898. BARRIO CUISINE: Food writer and experienced chef Alva Torres, along with a panel of talented local cooks, will reveal culinary secrets in a demonstration of Mexican/Tucsonan cooking techniques. Torres' focus on low saturated fats should be of interest to cautious cooks. Curious teens and adults are invited to learn about--and enjoy tasting--favorite Mexican dishes, as well as learning how to use the comal outdoor oven. The event will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Sosa-Carrillo-Fremont House Museum in the Tucson Convention Center Complex. Parking is available in Lot C. People with inquiries can call 622-0956. MEDITATIVE BREW: A queasy stomach is not all that a cup of tea can settle. In some ancient cultures drinking tea served as a meditative ceremony. Lhasha Tizer of the Casbah Teahouse is well versed in the ancient art and will introduce contemporary tea sippers to this time-honored style of drinking tea. Tizer will treat you to a complete tea ceremony based on ancient Chinese traditions, far different from what many have come to know as English high tea or the more festive and social tea drinking rituals of the Middle East. Your attitude, the level of your sensitivity, and the way in which you sit are all aspects of drinking tea that will be covered. Lhasha Tizer's "The Way of Tea" will take place May 5 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., at the Casbah Teahouse, 628 N. Fourth Ave. Cost is $5 per person. For information call 321-3670. KENNY MITCHELL: Singer, songwriter and musician Kenny Mitchell is bringing his show to the Southwest Center for Music at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 7. Coming from a percussionist background, Mitchell later switched to acoustic guitar, and with his soprano/tenor voice, created a musical style comparable to those of James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Steven Bishop. Tickets are $5 and are available at the Southwest Center for Music, 2175 N. Sixth Ave. For more information call 884-1220.

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