September 21 - September 27, 1995

City Week

Thursday 21

HOUSE OF TRICKS. One of Tucson's finest performance artists returns to the stage after two years of intense study for House of Tricks, "an emotionally-charged drama that examines prostitution, pyromania and spiritual redemption." This one-man show, written and performed by Victor Lodato, is based on a year of research and interviews made possible by an NEA fellowship. Lodato has created a dramatic journey through the sexual underground in his exploration of male sex-trade workers and the complex dynamics of father/son mythology. Performances continue at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through October 7 at a.k.a. Theatre, 125 E. Congress St. Tickets are $10. Call 623-7852 for reservations and information.

WOMAN OF STEEL. The last we heard of Kristina Olsen was her contribution on hammered dulcimer to Michelle Shocked's Short Sharp Shocked release in 1986. But the Bay area beauty has taken off since then, with three CDs and two continents in her guitar case, not to mention that wildly beautiful steelbody guitar she plays. While we favor the plucky blues tracks on her latest album, Hurry on Home, she proves she can be as successful with sentimental folk as she is with her sardonic wit in singing the blues. Joined by Teresa Tudury (who packed the house on her first Tucson performance earlier this summer) tonight's show promises a unique blend of accomplished playing and quirky humor. Showtime is 8 p.m. at the Southwest Center for Music, 2175 N. Sixth Ave. Advance tickets are $8, $6 for TFTM, TKMA, KXCI and TBS members, available at Hear's Music on Campbell Avenue and Antigone Books on Fourth Avenue. Call 884-1220 for information.

Friday 22

HEAVENLY HOSTS. If you only go to one play this year, make it Tony Kushner's Angels In America. Critics in Los Angeles have lavished praise on this complex epic drama, calling it "one of the most important plays in the last 25 years." This unsettling glimpse into American society--into a religious couple confronting a marital breakup, drug addiction, the Washington establishment and gay lovers facing AIDS--combines humor and warmth with a grim reality many try hard to ignore. Part One, "Millennium Approaches," will be performed at 8 p.m. Part Two, "Perestroika," begins at 8 p.m. Saturday. Separate tickets must be purchased for each. Angels continues through September 24 at UA Centennial Hall, east of the main gate at Park Avenue and University Boulevard. Tickets range from $19 to $35 and are available at the Centennial Hall box office, Dillard's and the TCC box office. Charge tickets by calling 621-3341.

ON TILL MORNING. Close up the nursery window for a few hours and take the family to see the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company's season opener, Peter Pan, starring comedienne Janet Higgins. The small, energetic Higgins not only played the role for SALOC nine years ago, she was Cathy Rigby's understudy in the play's national tour and Tony Award-nominated Broadway revival. After roles which took her as far away as Japan, she's grown up fast on the grueling stand-up comedy scene at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. "Peter Pan is such a tradition," says Higgins. "It's a great way to introduce a child to the theatre. And a trip to Neverland always puts a lump in the adult's throat."

Peter Pan continues with performances at 2 and 8 p.m. through September 24 in the TCC Music Hall, second to the right and straight on till morning. Tickets start at $15. Call 323-7888 or 884-1212 for reservations and information.

Saturday 23

CAJUN STREET DANCE. No matter how rhythmically challenged your feet may be, head downtown for the ultimate end-of-the-summer bash with the excellent Louisiana combo of Michael Doucet and Beausoleil. When the barricades go up on Fifth Avenue, let your guard down and settle into the carnivalesque atmosphere of the Big Easy's magical music. Tex-Mex Trio Grande opens the show. See Michael Metzger's article in the Music section for details. Tickets are $10 in advance, available from Zia Records and Hear's Music. All proceeds will go toward the restoration of the historic Rialto Theater. The fun begins at 7 p.m. on Fifth Avenue between Congress Street and Broadway. Call 795-1420 for information.

HARAMBEE FESTIVAL. During 27 years in her northwest neighborhood, Donna Liggins has seen the Harambee Festival come and go. After 12 years, she calls this year's event a "rebirth." Liggins and the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department's Northwest Neighborhood Center breathe new life into the festivities with a rainbow of live entertainment, motivational speakers, ethnic foods and community information booths. "The emphasis is on fun and coming together in unity," says Liggins, who talks about the festival's roots in African tradition. Harambee is a Swahili word for "coming together."

Today's event kicks off with a traditional "drum call" by Taqui Rasool and the Song-High Drummers, as well as free samples from a variety of ethnic food vendors in the park. Live music continues throughout the day, with performances by Mary Baker, jazz player Dr. Diggs and a host of Tucson's youth and gospel choirs, for starters. "The more people hear, the more they come," says Liggins, who herself doesn't know what the day will bring. "It's just a fun day in the park, to come down and see what everybody's all about." This free family celebration continues from 4 p.m. to midnight at Mansfield Park, Fourth Avenue between Waverly and Grant roads.

OH COME ALL YE PAGANS. Really annoy your neighbors on the religious right by attending the eighth annual Tucson Area Wiccan Network Fall Festival, a "pagan/wiccan gathering" from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Himmel Park, Tucson Boulevard and Second Street. Bring a picnic lunch and celebrate the autumn equinox (that's right, the blessed end of summer) with ritual, costume, craft sales, live auction, music and divinations. Workshops on pagan political activism, energy transference, Asatru (the Viking religion), pagan humor, drumming, songs and chants will also be offered. Dispel the myths of wicked witches and join in this celebration of living in harmony with nature. Although admission is free, donations for the Community Food Bank (including lesser-recognized commodities like diapers, toilet paper and feminine supplies) are requested. Call 323-8112 for information.

Sunday 24

FLAMENCO HO! As far as we're concerned, the life of a gypsy is no song and dance. Nonetheless, this spirited art form has evolved over centuries from Africa and the Mideast to Spain's dying Flamenco tradition, incorporating regional influences along the way. Witness this breathtaking spectacle as Xanadu Dance Studio presents an evening of Mideastern and Flamenco music and dance, with Santa Cruz, California, musicians Sirocco and Flamenco guitarist Gaetano, at 7 p.m. at the Southwest Center for Music, 2175 N. Sixth Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance, $14 at the door. Call 881-0883 for tickets and information.

Monday 25

BUMS STEERED. Whether you're a proud country fan or a closet line dancer, you'll find good company tonight at The Bum Steer, 1910 N. Stone Ave., when the dynamic duo of Larry and Amanda take over the floor from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with free beginning country western dance lessons. They say they can teach anybody to dance the two step, cha cha, triple-time, pony and desperado wrap. We recommend this activity only for people who can count to eight, preferably while chewing gum at the same time. Partners and singles are equally welcome. Call 884-7377 for information.

Tuesday 26

FAST TIMES. If you think you know what kids are facing these days, challenge your assumptions by visiting NE--SW: Life in the Fast Lane, photographs and journal writings of inner city students from Tucson and Hartford, Connecticut, continuing through September 30 at St. Philip's in the Hills Murphy Gallery, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. This unique exhibit has been sponsored by Youth at Risk and developed by photojournalist Susan L. Newman. Gallery hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Wednesday 27

HELLO TO OPERA. The Tucson opera season will soon be upon us, and you can get a leg up on the season opener, Il Trovatore (1850), in this musical lecture at 7 p.m. at the Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot Road. This free preview of Verdi's famous story about a band of gypsies, a wicked count and a battle for true love will feature live music with piano and the rich baritone voice of David Majoros and animated narration by Dr. Kenneth Ryan. Call 791-4627 for information.


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September 21 - September 27, 1995


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