City Week: Weekly Picks

Kon Tiki: 60th Anniversary

SEPT. 24 – An amalgamated fantasy of exotic island life from Polynesia to the Caribbean, tiki culture took the United States by storm in the 1960s. All over the Unites States, palm fronds swayed within grass-walled restaurants whose waitresses wore colorful sarongs. Spicy, crunchy snacks called “Puu Puus” accompanied literal bowls full of sweet drinks with a gardenia on top. Enjoy immersion in an authentic tiki culture and take home tiki-themed vintage clothing, art and gifts for sale by local vendors.

Kon Tiki Restaurant and Lounge, 4625 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, $10 cash, 6 p.m.,

rb.gy/910np, free, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,

visittucson.org

EL TOUR “LOOP DE LOOP”

SEPT. 23 – You can get on your bike anywhere along Chuck Huckelberry Loop and break at the stations along the way, but make sure to include the Rillito Park Racetrack on your ride. That’s where you can sign up for training rides, explore an expo of cycling-related nonprofits and make new friends among potential riding partners. It’s also the site of an after-party and live music to celebrate the cycling community and the advent of El Tour de Tucson on Nov. 18.

Rillito Park Racetrack, 4502 N. First Avenue, Tucson, 7 a.m. to noon, eltourdetucson.org/loop-de-loop

Joanne Shaw Taylor

SEPT. 25 – After the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart discovered her at 16, Joanne Shaw Taylor wasted no time leveraging her distinctive vocals, songwriting and guitar-playing into a career. Her talent drew high praise from such legendary artists as Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Cliff, Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox. Barely more than a dozen years later, she’s delivered ten albums of the uniquely updated blues and pop blend she amalgamated from her childhood idols: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert Collins and Jimi Hendrix.

Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress, Tucson, tickets start at $39, 7 p.m., rialtotheatre.com

Midnight Masquerade Murder Mystery Dinner

SEPT. 22 – Was it you who murdered him? Did you have reason to? At a lavish dinner party, masked guests brim with questions. Who brought us here? What do they want from us? Conjecture and rich gossip abound. As guests meet the host by turns in his study, one by one they agree “someone should kill him!” and then … we’re not telling, but it’s definitely not what you think. Dinner, dancing and a silent auction are included.

Savoy Opera House, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, $150,

$250 couple, 6 to 10 p.m.,

allevents.in/tucson/midnight

Indigenous Night Market

SEPT. 22 – In addition to its sprawling seasonal street fairs, the Fourth Avenue Coalition has been holding themed night markets. Next up is a market featuring indigenous artists, makers and resources, organized with Josie Rios of Beads over Diamonds. All vendors will be inside in the air-conditioned comfort of the coalition space. Outside in the parking lot, find food vendors and entertainment. The Coalition formed in 2017 as “stewards of healthy localism.”

Fourth Avenue Coalition, 311 E. Seventh Street, Tucson, free admission, 7 p.m., historic4thavecoalition.org

National Public Lands Day

SEPT. 23 – All our public lands are free to visit today. Options are Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Tumacácori National Historic Park, Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Memorial and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Why not round up some friends and garbage bags and pick up litter while you’re out there? This day has turned out more volunteers than any other since the National Environmental Education Foundation, the first one organized in 1994.

Any National Park, free, nps.gov

Tucson Big Sing!

SEPT. 23 – Invitations are still out, so other choirs may be added, but you don’t have to be in a choir to lift your voice in this community sing-along. Science is all in favor; there’s evidence singing is good for you. It may help lower stress, boost immunity and improve mental health. Join in with members of the Arizona Choral Arts Association and the Tucson Girls Chorus and feel the love.

Georges DeMeester Performance Center, Gene C. Reid Park, Tucson, pay what you will, 7 p.m.,

eventbrite.com

“Flow for the Soul”

SEPT. 23 – Tucson’s All Souls Procession has become an international attraction featuring days of events for all ages. Among ways the event’s organizers fund All Souls weekend is with monthly special events at MSA annex, featuring past and prospective procession performers displaying their juggling, stilt-walking and flame throwing skills, as well as high-wire and trapeze artists. Flam Chen particularly welcomes fire spinners. DJs will provide beats in an international range of genres.

MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, Tucson, $10, 7 p.m.,

flowsouls.eventbrite.com

“Melodious Byrd:

400 Years of William Byrd”

SEPT. 24 – Arizona Early Music presents Guy Whitley, scholar and master of historical keyboards, for a concert of music by English Renaissance composer William Byrd. Hailed as one of the greatest composers of the 16th and 17th century, Byrd is credited with creating many of the forms used in both sacred and secular music. Whitley, who performs with Grammy-nominated True Concord, will play Byrd’s works on harpsichord, organ and virginal.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, pay what you will, 3 p.m., eventbrite.com

Taylor Eigsti Quartet

SEPT. 24 – Taylor Eigsti was proclaimed a piano prodigy at age 4. It’s been nowhere but up since then. He’s released six records of original music with his own band and logged 60 as a sideman for the likes of Dave Brubeck, Vanessa Williams, McCoy Tyner and Chick Corea. Among his nine Grammys is one for his own 2022 release “Tree Falls.” We haven’t scratched the surface of his credits here, but if you want proof this show’s worth your night out, go to his website and hear “Caravan” as if for the first time.

The Century Room, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $20, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.,

hotelcongress.com

This article appears in Sep 21-27, 2023.