Tucson Weekly: Events (April 5

SPECIAL EVENTS
Events This Week
ARIZONA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 949 E. Second St. 628-5775. Continuing through September 15: Life of the Santa Cruz River opens with a reception April 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit looks at the archaeology, history, hydrology and biology of the Santa Cruz River environment. The opening reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free.
BENEFIT FILM FESTIVAL. International Arts Center. 516 N. Fifth Ave. Room 101. 623-9141. There is a screening of two prison-related films April 6 at 7 p.m. The Farm is a documentary portrayal of racism, aging, religion and death at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. The Last Graduation, also a documentary, examines higher education programs in prisons. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door to benefit Outmates, a support and information group for friends and families of inmates.
BICYCLE CLASSIC STAGE RACE TIME TRIALS. A three-day USCF stage race with participants from around the world begins April 6 at 2 p.m. It's a three-stage mini Tour de France through the Tucson Mountains. Winners in 15 age and skill categories are determined by the lowest accumulated time after three days of racing. The course is 2.1 miles. For more information call 1-800-239-9035.
BIKE FEST 2001. Biking and walking are excellent forms of exercise and transportation, and the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Pima County Department of Environmental Quality's Clean Air Program encourages everyone to ride now through April 8. Take advantage of the city's nearly 500 miles of bikeways. Twenty-six Bike Fest events celebrate bicycling and walking as transportation, including kids' rides, historic neighborhood tours, rail and bikeway rides, a bike swap meet and more. All events are free. Call 791-4372 for more details.
DESERT FUN. Mason Audubon Center. 8751 N. Thornydale Road. 572-9881. Join local environmental education specialist Doris Evans for a family-oriented morning to learn about the desert. Evans, who is the author of Let's Explore the Desert!, discusses family friendly trails in Tucson and more. The free event is limited to 30 participants. Reservations are required.
GIFT SHOW. Elks Club. 615 S. Pantano Road. The Tucson Arts and Crafts Association presents a Hop Into Spring Gift Show April 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come browse and buy handcrafted items. Bring this notice and receive two raffle tickets for the price of one. Admission is free.
MOTORCYCLE SHOW. Kickstart Grill. 8987 E. Tanque Verde Road. 760-3013. An exhibit of motorcycles by owners who present their bikes for judging takes place April 6 at 7 p.m. in the parking area outside the restaurant. Cyclists who wish to enter their bikes in the contest should arrive between 5:30 and 7 p.m. Bikes are judged in one of eight categories, including American Big Twin, Foreign Cruiser, Tourer, Sportster, Sportbike, Classic and American and Foreign. Enjoy an afternoon bike show the first Sunday of every month from 2 p.m. until sunset.
MOTORCYCLIST BENEFIT. Kickstart Grill. 8987 E. Tanque Verde Road. A Desert Survivors Mile High Benefit Ride for motorcyclists and their families takes place April 8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The ride leaves Tucson at 10 a.m. and continues to Bisbee via three colorful mile-high routes. Lunch is served at Olde Tymers or St. Elmo's Pub in Bisbee while dinner takes place at the Kickstart Grill. Live music and a raffle are included. All proceeds benefit Desert Survivors programs for children and adults with disabilities. There is a $15 per person participation fee, which includes burgers and run pins. Call the Kickstart Grill at 760-3013 or Desert Survivors at 884-8806, ext. 10 to pre-register.
MOUNTAIN DOME WINE DINNER. Kingfisher. 2564 E. Grant Road. Guest speaker and dinner host Michael Manz, winemaker for Mountain Dome, discusses his creations during dinner April 10 at 6:30 p.m. For reservations and more information call 323-7739.
NOCHE DE CULTURA. El Casino Ballroom. 437 E. 26th St. Noche de Cultura: No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed hearkens back to a time when such signs were frequently posted in southwestern cities, including Tucson. This event celebrates chicana/o culture with performances by the Taco Shop Poets, Grito Serpentino, Aztlan Underground and Naomi Quiñonez April 5 at 6:30 p.m. An open-mic session precedes the performances. Admission is free and open to the public.
NOCHE DE SUEÑOS SCHOLARSHIP CONCERT. Centennial Hall. UA Main Gate at Park Avenue and University Boulevard. 696-5380. The Noche de Sueños Celebrando Nuestra Herencia scholarship fundraising concert features 11-year-old Sony recording artist Tatiana Bolaños accompanied by local youth mariachi Corazón de Oro April 8 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Monies raised fund scholarships for Tucson area fine art students. Tickets are $11 and are available at the Centennial Hall box office, Amphitheater High School bookstore and Yoly's Music store.
POETRY IN THE GARDENS. Tucson Botanical Gardens and The UA Extended University Writing Works Center present two poetry readings by Jim Paul and Mary Ann Campau April 8 at 6 p.m. at the gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Light refreshments are available. Tickets are $4 for garden members and $5 for non-members and are available at the garden gift shop, Antigone Books, The Book Stop and Bentley's.
POLYNESIAN CULTURE. Berger Performing Arts Center. 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. Poets, chanters, dancers and musicians present a program of Pacific Island folklore April 6 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $12 at the door. Call 888-8816 for more information.
PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO. Himmel Park. 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. 623-9141. Learn more about the expanding criminal justice system from distinguished speakers Christian Parentis, author of Lockdown America, Peter Hormel, recent Green Party candidate for County Attorney, and Brackette Williams, MacArthur Genius Grant recipient April 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. People for Prisoners Day also features entertainment by local musicians, inmate and children's art, children's activities, testimony from inmates and their families, interactive displays and information booths representative of community groups. Admission is free.
RECIPE CONTEST. Getting rave reviews from your family at dinner? Been told your appetizers should be on a menu somewhere? Then you'll want to enter Café Terra Cotta's recipe contest. The restaurant is seeking recipes for its Summer Sensations menu and will select a winning recipe each month during June, July and August. Three winners also receive $250 in gift certificates. Deadline is May 1. Submit entries to: Recipe Contest, Café Terra Cotta, 3500 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718. For more information call 577-8181.
REID PARK ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR. Reid Park. Country Club Road and 22nd Street. Spend the day browsing, shopping and eating April 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with more than 150 artisans and food vendors. Those who wish to participate and sell their handcrafted items (no imports) may purchase on-site spaces for $35 starting at 7:30 a.m. Call 791-4063 for more information.
SAFE KIDS BIKE RODEO. This educational program teaches kids bike safety and proper equipment usage April 8 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. For participation in this event please register on-line at www.ci.tucson.az.us/transpor /planning or call 791-4372. Admission is free.
SPRING ARTISANS MARKET. Tucson Museum of Art. 140 N. Main Ave. Why Spring clean when you can Spring shop? Enjoy the work of more than 130 fine artisans, including jewelers, potters, photographers, furniture makers and more April 6-8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds benefit the continuation of art, education and outreach programs the Museum provides to the community. In addition, the Museum celebrates the opening of ten new galleries that feature collections of Precolumbian, Spanish Colonial and Latin American Folk art.
SYNCHRO SWIM TEAM BENEFIT. University of Arizona. Recreational Center Pool. SE corner of Sixth Street and Highland Avenue. A watershow, lasagna dinner and silent auction to benefit the Tucson and UA Synchro Swim Teams takes place April 6 at 5 p.m. Tickets range in price from $5 to $10 and are available at the door or by calling Karen Ward at 744-7948.
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY. Borders Books & Music. Park Place. 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. 584-0111. A day of special discounts and give-aways for K-12 teachers and librarians takes place April 7 during regular store hours. Enjoy a free five-minute stress relief massage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are also raffle prize drawings, refreshments and free posters and bookmarks while they last. Individuals who present a pay stub or District ID are eligible for 20 percent off most purchases throughout the day.
TUCSON NEIGHBORHOODS BIKE TOUR. There is a 10-mile leisurely ride through Tucson's downtown neighborhoods April 8. The ride starts at 8 a.m. in front of the UA Old Main building. Call 791-4372 for more details. Participation is free.
WEST SIDE STORY. UA Modern Languages auditorium. 621-1836. The Romeo and Juliet-style story, which is set on the Upper West Side of New York City, exemplifies the best in the tradition of the American musical: great songs, dancing and script. A screening of the film takes place April 6 at 7:30 p.m. Actor Russ Tamblyn, who played Riff, the leader of the Jets, appears in person to discuss the making of the movie. Admission is free.
WOMEN AND GERMAN CINEMA. UA Modern Languages auditorium. 621-1836. Solo Sunny, the singer in a mediocre pop group, is given the chance to prove her individual talent when she is kicked out of the band. The film, a major box office hit in Germany, screens April 12 at 7:30 p.m. It's in German with English subtitles. Admission is free.
Out of Town
BLESSING OF THE VINE FESTIVAL. Come taste Arizona's local wines April 7-8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $13 per person ($12 in advance) and includes lunch, wine tasting, live music by the Dixie Sidewinders, and a souvenir wine glass. In addition, there's a competition and crowning of Arizona's King and Queen of Grape Stomping, arts and crafts and the release of several new wines including the Festival Red. The festival benefits local scholarships. The Village of Elgin winery is located in downtown Elgin. From Tucson, take Highway 83 through Sonoita and turn left on Elgin Road. For more information, or to purchase tickets in advance, call the winery at (520) 455-9309.
GARDEN AND PATIO TOUR. The Green Valley Gardeners of America's Garden and Patio Tour takes place April 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour features 10 sites, including the rose garden at the East Social Center and the Youth Gardening Mentor Program. Tickets for the tour are $5 and are available at the Wells Fargo Bank, Safeway, Camilot Flowers, Green Valley Gifts and Flowers, and at the East Social Center. Tickets include a map, driving instructions and site descriptions. Proceeds from the tour benefit the club's community gardening programs. Call (520) 648-0952 for more information.
NATIVE AMERICAN ART EXHIBITION /WORKSHOP. Tubac Center of the Arts. 9 Plaza Road, Tubac. (520) 398-2371. Art of the Mesas--Traditional and Contemporary Hopi Art features Hopi quilts, kachinas, jewelry, baskets, pottery and textiles. The exhibit continues through April 22. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free. Nationally known Hopi potter Karen Abeita conducts a traditional Hopi pottery workshop April 9-11 using the same methods that have been employed for thousands of years. Students create their own small bowl, paint and fire it. Cost is $145 for members and $160 for non-members and includes all workshop materials. Call 398-2371 to reserve a space.
TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE. DuVal Mine Road. Sauharita. 618-4802. Visit rarely seen areas of the museum, including lower level 7 and the crew quarters, April 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. Spend time with former crewmembers, learn about southern Arizona's place in Cold War history and more. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
WESTERN MUSEUM TOUR. The Desert Caballeros Western Museum of Wickenburg presents A Historic Journey into Verde Valley's Past April 10 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Join a chartered trip to Tuzigoot, Fort Verde and the mining town of Jerome. The cost of the tour is $70 and includes lunch, transportation and admission. Call (520) 684-2272 for reservations and more information.
Upcoming
EARLY SUMMER. UA Modern Languages auditorium. 621-1836. Film screening. April 13, 7:30 p.m.
ERIC BOGOSIAN. Centennial Hall. University of Arizona. 621-3341. Sponsored by UApresents. April 20, 8 p.m.
APRIL CRAFT FESTIVAL. Downtown Main Library Plaza. Presented by Tucson Arts District. April 21, 1 to 5 p.m.