

Cover Story
A Sense of Community: Spafford’s Nick Tkachyk enjoys returning home
Driving through Michigan, where it was 16 degrees, Spafford drummer Nick Tkachyk is anticipating his return home for Gem & Jam Festival. “We are going to some great festivals this year, which always feels good because it’s cold in Michigan. It’s below freezing,” Tkachyk said. “It’s always good to come home, though.” Gem & Jam…
A Rehab, Isolates and Grievous Whims
Abest friend of mine just went off to a 30-day, out-of-state treatment center. Better late than never, I say. He is damn lucky to be alive at this point in his life. We have loved each other, for the most part, for years. Our two lives mirrored each other’s in ways: We came up through…
City Week: Week of Feb. 1, 2024
Zipline Adventures Eco Tour Thursday through Sunday by advance reservation only According to Zipline, the “Eco Tour” is its most popular. Expect sensational foliage after all that rain. While learning about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert and foothills, guests span five ziplines, ranging in length from 400 feet to 1,500 feet. You…
The Peripatetic Tamale Sepp Lands for Three Shows
Assuming that no mishaps befall the skydiving show she’s organizing this week, comedian Tamale Sepp will headline The Estrogen Hour comedy benefit at Laff’s Comedy Club at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Feb. 4. The more-or-less biennial Estrogen Hour raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This weekend’s edition, dubbed “Nifty Fifty,” celebrates more than $50,000…
A Banner Year: Comedian Brad Williams is playing his biggest venues yet
Comedian Brad Williams just turned 40, so at his Fox Tucson Theatre show, he’s out to prove he can defy his age. “I have a lot of energy,” he said. “I have to prove to myself that I can still run around the stage like I used to. I have ADD and I do comedy…
Edible Art: La Frida offers beautifully inventive Mexican dishes
La Frida’s food seems too pretty to eat. It’s tough to decide whether to photograph it or immediately start scooping up the food and its savory sauces. Based on three visits, either way, it is a winner. Depending on the dish, colorful edible flowers or microgreens might be sprinkled on top. Every entree is served…
Laura Jean Band Performs at Che’s Lounge
The Laura Jean Band is set to perform at Che’s Lounge on Sunday, Feb. 4. They will trade sets with musician Beth Bombara from St. Louis. The band will also be playing at Che’s Lounge on Sunday, March 31. In her music, Tucson-based artist Laura Kepner-Adney of the Laura Jean Band is influenced by country,…
The Sticky Legacy of Gorilla Glue #4
It’s a strain with many, arguably too many, aliases — GG #4, The Original Glue, or simply just, Glue. Before an infamous lawsuit with the super-glue company, Gorilla Glue Co., stoners simply knew the strain as Gorilla Glue — a fascinating legacy created by Nevada-based cannabis cultivators, Joesy Whales and Ross Johnson. It found the…
Educational Twist: Gem & Jam calls for honest discussion
Gem & Jam goes beyond music. It calls for honest discussion about topics such as psychedelics, harm reduction and flow. Amethyst Stage Friday, Feb. 2 Dancesafe – Harm Reduction 101 Join Mitchell Gomez, executive director of DanceSafe and harm reduction consultant to MAPS (the multidisciplinary association for psychedelic studies), for an all-ages-appropriate “introduction to harm…
Gems From Afar: Shows pepper Tucson for the next month
As we kick off the new year, we also kick off gem show season. Tucson has one of the most prolific histories of gem shows with our deep history of stores and gems in Arizona. You can join in on the fun by coming to one of the shows that run through the last bit…






