Thursday, May 4, 2017
The Weekly List: 15 Things To Do In Tucson In The Next 10 Days
Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo.
Clueless. The first time you hear that cinematic masterpiece Clueless is actually based on Jane Austen's Emma, you might be tempted to take a leaf out of protagonist Cher's book and declare, "As if!" But it's true. The Loft Cinema is offering you a chance to reconnect with this obviously timeless love story/literary masterpiece this weekend with two showings of Clueless. 10 p.m. Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $6.
First Friday Shorts. The Golden Gong Year-End Showdown. Another year of First Friday Shorts is going out with a golden-gong bang! Fan favorites from the last year will duke it out for all the glory of Golden Gong trophies and $1,000. But the night doesn't end there! As soon as a winner is crowned, a fresh round of First Friday Shorts starts. Enter a short film for a chance to win $200 that night and a chance at taking home the Golden Gong yourself next year. Because its going to be a long night, only six new films will have a chance to compete for that night's $200 prize, so get your film in early. 9 p.m. Friday, May 5. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $6.
Cactus Drive In presents Raiders of the Lost Ark. While the glory days of drive-in movie theater may have faded into memory, you still have the occasional chance to experience the wonder of watching a movie unfold on the big screen from the comfort of your front seat or tailgate. The Cactus Drive-In Theatre Foundation is presenting the latest in its ongoing drive-in movie series with the rip-roaring adventure of Raiders of the Lost Ark on at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4. It happens in the parking lot of the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, 4100 S. Palo Verde Road. Suggested donation is $15 per vehicle, so pile in and make it a bargain. More info on the Cactus Drive-In Theatre Foundation Facebook page.
Cinema La Placita. Downtown’s Cinema La Placita has a new home in the spectacular plaza of the Tucson Museum of Art plaza. The outdoor movie series presents a different classic movie every Thursday all summer long. The series kicks off Thursday, May 4, with Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. Next Thursday, May 11, it’s Thelma and Louise. Films start at 7:30 p.m. 140 S. Main Ave. Admission is $3 and includes the popcorn is free. More info at cinemalaplacita.com
Galaxy of Terror. Do you ever wonder what dreadful films the stars of Twin Peaks totally regret working on? Kick off The Stars of Twin Peaks Month at Mondo Monday with Galaxy of Terror. See Grace Zabriskie (you'll know her as Sarah Palmer) as Captain Trantor in this sci-fi suspense thriller where a group of astronauts are tormented by aliens wielding the scientists’ worst nightmares. 8 p.m. Monday, May 8. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $3.
Catapalooza. Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary is a badass organization, with no mission more dear to their hearts than providing happy, healthy lives for the stealthiest of our four-legged friends. They're raising some funds for their felines when Stands With Fists
Saalythic, Blacklidge, WITHIN A DREAM, The Abstract, As We Watch Them Fall, Before I Die, Toylit and Tucson Maidens of Metal band together for a night of kitty love and dance music. All proceeds benefit the cats. 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Club XS, 5851 E. Speedway Blvd. $8.
Do This!
Centurions Party. An Oz-some Experience. The Centurions’ annual bash will take you down the yellow-brick road to fun, all to benefit the Big Brother Big Sisters of Tucson. The 21-and-older event will feature an Oz theme, so expect plenty of flying monkeys and pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Don’t forget your red ruby slippers, as there will also be a costume contest. 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, May 6. Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way. $95.
Sour Fest Guided Tasting with Peter Bouckaert at T&B. Ever try sour beer? Ever try Belgium beer? Well, here's your chance to do both and have a nice chat with brewmaster Peter Bouckaert, who will be giving a sour tasting guide in honor of Tap and Bottle's annual Sour Fest on May 6-7. Guests will have the chance to taste 15 different sour taps, including Rodenbach Grand Cru, French Oak Sour Saison, Imperial Coffee Sour Stout, La Folie, NBB Love Felix and NBB Love Blackberry Oscar. The tasting is from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 6. Tap & Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave. $30 per person, including tax. For more details on all of Sour Fest, visit thetapandbottle.com.
Festival 520. You’re invited to Lululemon Tucson’s celebration of its fourth year in the Dirty T. Come sweat it out with up to 24 classes offered such as boxing, yoga and cycling. The day will start with a 5K hosted by Legacy Ambassador, Hazel Chase. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6. La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Free.
Marianne Dissard. Rich dynamic soundscapes swirl and unfurl around a breathy but commanding voice. You could be at the helm of a pirate ship steered by a siren, or homeless and helpless save for some passionate voice on the radio. If she were Mexican she’d be feminismo, but as a French chanteuse in Tucson, Marianne Dissard is surreal, unafraid to embrace the absurd, and the heart and intellect. Ably backed by Tucson locals (including guitar hero Annie Dolan) whose flare for frontera mystique perfectly backdrops the sultry syllables of the French language itself, Marianne's music, as corny as this sounds, offers up a mirror through which to look at ourselves. There’s an essence across language and culture that unifies Americana vitality, Norteño heartbreak and raw French sex appeal coupled with philosophical underpinnings that only brooding, cigarette-rich hours can conjure. "Tu-(t)sahn" she breathes. The name of our old town has never sounded quite so compelling as it does on her lips. Club Congress, 311 East Congress on Monday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. Free. 21+.
Handsome Ghost. With a popped-up soulish voice like Color Me Badd that lifts atop Maroon 5-like hooks, Handsome Ghost should be sound tracking a falling-hard montage in a PG-13 popcorn flick. Or at least enjoying his one-hit, VH1 song like Dog's Eye View, another middle-of-the-road "indie" pop band from Boston. With hints of Caribbean-inflected grooves circling back to the bland yet weirdly flavorful realm of Jack Johnson and his ilk, perhaps it's the distracting autotune/vocal coupling effects or the too-bright synthetic drum fills that keep Handsome Ghost forever small time. This music ain’t indie rock, more like radio pop with a bad producer. But listen with eyes closed and picture a stripped-down, acoustic version of any song, and you’re suddenly sipping overpriced latte inside Starbucks. The lyrical clichés will sound deceptively profound, and you’ll hum the chorus, and when the sugary caffeine hits your system, the world will suddenly feel like a better place. It’s the law of suburbia. With Frances Cone on Thursday, May 11 at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress. $14. 16+
Dweezil Zappa, Fifty years of Frank. Yes, Dweezil Zappa plays whatever the fuck he wants, and this Cease and Desist Tour 2017 raises a not-so-subtle middle finger at DZ's two younger siblings over the fair use/copyright infringement of the Zappa Plays Zappa name. But make no mistake, this is the same amazing tribute band the eldest Dweez has been leading since ’06. With a reputation for playing almost two-and-a-half-hour shows and a history of Zappa musical guests from Terry Bozzio to Steve Vai sitting in, ZPZ is the closest thing many of us will ever get to experience the genius of old Frank live. While the cover band sometimes tackle whole albums, this tour gives the virtuosic band musos the liberty to cover anything—raging guitar solos, sweetly harmonized doo wop, cringe-worthy novelty songs or true psych symphonies magical enough you don't need drugs to trip. What? Friday, May 5, at Rialto Theatre, 318 East Congress. $33-$69. 8 p.m. All ages.
Cinema
Sesame Street Live. Elmo Makes Music. Calling all parents with little kiddies who love Sesame Street's favorite puppet: You won’t want to miss Elmo’s upcoming visit to the Tucson Convention Center. The Sunny Seats package even includes premium seating and a meet-and-greet before the show. Don't forget your camera and notebook for autographs! Each meet and greet will last about 20 minutes. 2 -5 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. $37.80.Clueless. The first time you hear that cinematic masterpiece Clueless is actually based on Jane Austen's Emma, you might be tempted to take a leaf out of protagonist Cher's book and declare, "As if!" But it's true. The Loft Cinema is offering you a chance to reconnect with this obviously timeless love story/literary masterpiece this weekend with two showings of Clueless. 10 p.m. Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $6.
First Friday Shorts. The Golden Gong Year-End Showdown. Another year of First Friday Shorts is going out with a golden-gong bang! Fan favorites from the last year will duke it out for all the glory of Golden Gong trophies and $1,000. But the night doesn't end there! As soon as a winner is crowned, a fresh round of First Friday Shorts starts. Enter a short film for a chance to win $200 that night and a chance at taking home the Golden Gong yourself next year. Because its going to be a long night, only six new films will have a chance to compete for that night's $200 prize, so get your film in early. 9 p.m. Friday, May 5. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $6.
Cactus Drive In presents Raiders of the Lost Ark. While the glory days of drive-in movie theater may have faded into memory, you still have the occasional chance to experience the wonder of watching a movie unfold on the big screen from the comfort of your front seat or tailgate. The Cactus Drive-In Theatre Foundation is presenting the latest in its ongoing drive-in movie series with the rip-roaring adventure of Raiders of the Lost Ark on at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4. It happens in the parking lot of the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, 4100 S. Palo Verde Road. Suggested donation is $15 per vehicle, so pile in and make it a bargain. More info on the Cactus Drive-In Theatre Foundation Facebook page.
Cinema La Placita. Downtown’s Cinema La Placita has a new home in the spectacular plaza of the Tucson Museum of Art plaza. The outdoor movie series presents a different classic movie every Thursday all summer long. The series kicks off Thursday, May 4, with Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. Next Thursday, May 11, it’s Thelma and Louise. Films start at 7:30 p.m. 140 S. Main Ave. Admission is $3 and includes the popcorn is free. More info at cinemalaplacita.com
Galaxy of Terror. Do you ever wonder what dreadful films the stars of Twin Peaks totally regret working on? Kick off The Stars of Twin Peaks Month at Mondo Monday with Galaxy of Terror. See Grace Zabriskie (you'll know her as Sarah Palmer) as Captain Trantor in this sci-fi suspense thriller where a group of astronauts are tormented by aliens wielding the scientists’ worst nightmares. 8 p.m. Monday, May 8. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $3.
Community
Paint Your Pet Pawtrait Fundraiser. Paint your fur baby with an optional flower crown and take home your new favorite portrait! An artist will sketch your dog or cat before you paint so you get the cutest version of your furry best friend. Part of the proceeds goes toward the SAANPR, the Nurse Practitioner Association. 6 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Gentle Ben's, 865 E. University Blvd. $40.Catapalooza. Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary is a badass organization, with no mission more dear to their hearts than providing happy, healthy lives for the stealthiest of our four-legged friends. They're raising some funds for their felines when Stands With Fists
Saalythic, Blacklidge, WITHIN A DREAM, The Abstract, As We Watch Them Fall, Before I Die, Toylit and Tucson Maidens of Metal band together for a night of kitty love and dance music. All proceeds benefit the cats. 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Club XS, 5851 E. Speedway Blvd. $8.
Do This!
Centurions Party. An Oz-some Experience. The Centurions’ annual bash will take you down the yellow-brick road to fun, all to benefit the Big Brother Big Sisters of Tucson. The 21-and-older event will feature an Oz theme, so expect plenty of flying monkeys and pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Don’t forget your red ruby slippers, as there will also be a costume contest. 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, May 6. Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way. $95.
Sour Fest Guided Tasting with Peter Bouckaert at T&B. Ever try sour beer? Ever try Belgium beer? Well, here's your chance to do both and have a nice chat with brewmaster Peter Bouckaert, who will be giving a sour tasting guide in honor of Tap and Bottle's annual Sour Fest on May 6-7. Guests will have the chance to taste 15 different sour taps, including Rodenbach Grand Cru, French Oak Sour Saison, Imperial Coffee Sour Stout, La Folie, NBB Love Felix and NBB Love Blackberry Oscar. The tasting is from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 6. Tap & Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave. $30 per person, including tax. For more details on all of Sour Fest, visit thetapandbottle.com.
Festival 520. You’re invited to Lululemon Tucson’s celebration of its fourth year in the Dirty T. Come sweat it out with up to 24 classes offered such as boxing, yoga and cycling. The day will start with a 5K hosted by Legacy Ambassador, Hazel Chase. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6. La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Free.
Music
The Fallen Stars. If you're a fan of the first White Stripes record, the Fallen Stars will be your new favorite band. Mixing up a sonic medicine of Nashville twang with the train-derail rhythms and bluesy guitars of anyone weaned on Hasil Adkins, they add a dash of O.C. punk spirit and a world-weary survivor's gratitude that makes each tune relatable. The lead singer strains to reach notes in his best Graham Parsons (hair) shirt, and harmonies are often, but not always, nailed by a beautifully ordinary woman. “Should've seen the way I drive, must be someone by my side, sure am glad to be alive.” You could just as easily spark a J and join them in a campfire sing-a-long as watch them from the crowd, or from the backseat of a rusted old Pontiac rolling through forgotten America. This music is emotionally honest—human and fallible—and therefore capable of lifting us. Saturday, May 6, 6-7:30 p.m. at Bookman’s Midtown, 3330 E. Speedway Blvd. Also, Saturday, May 6, at the Tucson Folk Fest, on the Presidio Stage, At Presidio San Agustin del Tucson, half-block east of Old Town Artisans. Both events are free and all ages.Marianne Dissard. Rich dynamic soundscapes swirl and unfurl around a breathy but commanding voice. You could be at the helm of a pirate ship steered by a siren, or homeless and helpless save for some passionate voice on the radio. If she were Mexican she’d be feminismo, but as a French chanteuse in Tucson, Marianne Dissard is surreal, unafraid to embrace the absurd, and the heart and intellect. Ably backed by Tucson locals (including guitar hero Annie Dolan) whose flare for frontera mystique perfectly backdrops the sultry syllables of the French language itself, Marianne's music, as corny as this sounds, offers up a mirror through which to look at ourselves. There’s an essence across language and culture that unifies Americana vitality, Norteño heartbreak and raw French sex appeal coupled with philosophical underpinnings that only brooding, cigarette-rich hours can conjure. "Tu-(t)sahn" she breathes. The name of our old town has never sounded quite so compelling as it does on her lips. Club Congress, 311 East Congress on Monday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. Free. 21+.
Handsome Ghost. With a popped-up soulish voice like Color Me Badd that lifts atop Maroon 5-like hooks, Handsome Ghost should be sound tracking a falling-hard montage in a PG-13 popcorn flick. Or at least enjoying his one-hit, VH1 song like Dog's Eye View, another middle-of-the-road "indie" pop band from Boston. With hints of Caribbean-inflected grooves circling back to the bland yet weirdly flavorful realm of Jack Johnson and his ilk, perhaps it's the distracting autotune/vocal coupling effects or the too-bright synthetic drum fills that keep Handsome Ghost forever small time. This music ain’t indie rock, more like radio pop with a bad producer. But listen with eyes closed and picture a stripped-down, acoustic version of any song, and you’re suddenly sipping overpriced latte inside Starbucks. The lyrical clichés will sound deceptively profound, and you’ll hum the chorus, and when the sugary caffeine hits your system, the world will suddenly feel like a better place. It’s the law of suburbia. With Frances Cone on Thursday, May 11 at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress. $14. 16+
Dweezil Zappa, Fifty years of Frank. Yes, Dweezil Zappa plays whatever the fuck he wants, and this Cease and Desist Tour 2017 raises a not-so-subtle middle finger at DZ's two younger siblings over the fair use/copyright infringement of the Zappa Plays Zappa name. But make no mistake, this is the same amazing tribute band the eldest Dweez has been leading since ’06. With a reputation for playing almost two-and-a-half-hour shows and a history of Zappa musical guests from Terry Bozzio to Steve Vai sitting in, ZPZ is the closest thing many of us will ever get to experience the genius of old Frank live. While the cover band sometimes tackle whole albums, this tour gives the virtuosic band musos the liberty to cover anything—raging guitar solos, sweetly harmonized doo wop, cringe-worthy novelty songs or true psych symphonies magical enough you don't need drugs to trip. What? Friday, May 5, at Rialto Theatre, 318 East Congress. $33-$69. 8 p.m. All ages.
About The Author
© 2024 Tucson Weekly
