Wes Anderson Trivia and Costume Party. Dear reader, please disregard the following palaver and rigmarole if you are not of the cultivated mold. Casa Video humbly petitions your appearance for a most festive gala lauding the preeminent auteur of our time, one Wes Anderson. The trivia comprises factoids from Anderson’s first eight films (Bottle Rocket to Grand Budapest), and you are of course obliged to adorn yourself with any befitting cravat, periwig, or tunic. Properly ornamented personages receive a dollar off their aperitifs. And they’ll also be celebrating the release of Isle of Dogs on DVD/Blu-Ray. 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. 2905 E. Speedway Blvd.
Details here.
Rivers and Tides. The critically-acclaimed documentary is a vision of the natural world molded by currents, driftwood, ice and mud, all modified with human hands. Andy Goldsworthy’s art forms sculptures from the natural world and inherently degrade and return to the soil. Hosted by the Loft Cinema, in partnership with Sky Island Alliance and UA Water Resources Research Center. Also featuring a panel discussion from the aforementioned groups. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Regular admission prices.
Details here.
Mars Magnified. Tuesday, July 31 is a special day, and not just because it’s Harry Potter’s birthday. Cosmically speaking, Mars is going to be closer to Earth on this day than it has been in many years, and Flandrau and the Steward Observatory are celebrating by pointing their telescopes up to the Red Planet and opening up to the public. Planetary scientist Steve Kortenkamp will start off the night with a “Mars Madness” presentation, explaining why Mars is so close right now, and what other planets you can look out for in the night sky. After his talk, there will be planetarium shows every hour. There will also be telescopes pointed up at the other planets, so you can get a planet fix even if Mars doesn’t do it for you. Fair warning, the telescope viewing is weather permitting, because there’s hardly a point in staring up at the clouds through a telescope. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, July 31. Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, Steward Observatory, UA Mall. Telescope viewing is free, and the “Mars Madness” presentation, planetarium shows and laser music shows are $5.
Details here.
The Western Attraction. The Wilde Meyer Gallery is hosting a month-long group show featuring artwork that’s all about the West and why we love it. From contemporary cowboy and Native American interpretations to western landscapes to some of the area’s most iconic features, you’ll walk through the gallery and be reminded of why we love where we live, even in the heat of summer. With artists like Karen Bezuidenhout, Judy Choate, Ka Fisher and Jim Nelson, there will also be plenty of variety. Through the month of August. Gallery summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, but open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays, when there is a weekly art walk from 5 to 7 p.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 2890 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 170.
Details here.
Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, Dylan Reynolds, BS Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.