Making a Life in Photography — Rollie McKenna
ONGOING
Through May 16, the Center for Creative Photography is presenting “Making a Life in Photography,” featuring the work of Rosalie “Rollie” Thorne McKenna. The late photographer, 1918 to 2003, graduated from Vassar College in 1940 and worked independently as a sought-after architectural and portrait photographer. Her work has been praised as a unique and underrecognized contribution to American modernism and documentary photography. The gallery is closed on Sundays.
Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N. Olive Road, Tucson, free admission, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ccp.arizona.edu
‘Petals and Prickles’
ONGOING
The Tucson Desert Art Museum’s “Petals and Prickles” exhibit showcases botanical art from the desert southwest. Through April 18, the show features a collection of work from 18 artists — each presenting pieces inspired by desert blooms, cacti and other flora in the region. Their work celebrates the rich colors, intricate textures, and dramatic forms found in the Southwest landscape.
Tucson Desert Art Museum, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road, Suite 16, Tucson, free admission, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., tucsondart.org
Agave Heritage
Festival: Agave Planting
APRIL 9
Mission Garden will be planting agave, inspired by Indigenous plantings on Tumamoc Hill. These agave plants will provide food for bat pollinators and may even become part of a future festival’s agave roast. No experience is needed, and families are encouraged to join. Participants will be provided all tools and gloves — just bring long pants and a hat for sun protection.
Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Lane, Tucson, free admission, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., missiongarden.org
Spirit of Sonora
APRIL 10
Spirit of Sonora is a community gathering of the Agave Heritage Festival, celebrating the living heritage of the Sonoran Desert and its agave cultures. This free, open-air event highlights bacanora alongside a wide range of agave-based products that reflect agave’s deep integration into regional life. Through tastings, music, presentations, vendors, and hands-on activities, Spirit of Sonora invites the community to experience agave culture, ecology, and creativity in one shared space. The evening features agave tastings, screen printing, desert conservation leaders, and local makers.
Jácome Plaza, 101 North Stone Avenue, Tucson, free admission, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., agaveheritagefestival.com
2026 Gootter-Jensen
Foundation Grand Slam Dinner
APRIL 10
The Gootter-Jensen Foundation will host its 2026 Grand Slam Dinner on Friday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. at The Westin La Paloma Resort, marking 21 years of lifesaving impact in the fight against Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the 2026 Gootter-Jensen Philanthropic Award to G.S. Jaggi and Reema Jaggi, recognized for their exceptional generosity and lasting contributions to the Southern Arizona community. Tickets to attend the Grand Slam Gala are $350 per person and include Cocktails, Dinner, and Silent Auction, Live Music. Sponsorship packages are also available.
The Westin La Paloma Resort, 3800 East Sunrise Drive, Tucson, $350 dollars per person, 6:00 p.m. start time, gootterjensen.org
41st Annual Tucson Folk Festival
APRIL 10 through APRIL 12
The Tucson Folk Festival returns April 10 through April 12 for its 41st annual celebration, transforming Downtown Tucson into a hub of live music, songwriting and community. The festival remains free to the public continuing a tradition upheld since its founding in 1986. Over the course of the weekend, audiences can enjoy more than 150 performances by 450 musicians across six stages, bringing together nationally recognized artists, regional favorites, emerging songwriters, and Tucson’s local music community.
Jácome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Avenue, Tucson, free admission, various times, tucsonfolkfest.org
Elmo’s Got the Moves
APRIL 15
Sesame Street is arriving at the Fox Tucson Theatre as the event Elmo’s Got the Moves looks to have parents and kids moving and dancing along with Elmo and his Sesame Street friends. Fan favorite Sesame Songs like “Sunny Days,” “Elmo’s Got the Moves” and “Letter of the Day” will be played at this event. In the post show, participants will have the opportunity to take pictures with characters from the Elmo’s Got the Moves show.
The Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, various prices, start time at 6:00 p.m., foxtucson.com
West Side Story & The Great American Songbook
APRIL 17 through APRIL 19
True Concord presents the culmination of their season, The American Dream, with music from two sources: West Side Story & The Great American Songbook. Based on Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is one of the classics of the 20th century. It’s conceived by Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this work takes the classic tale into a modern American context, changing the landscape of American musicals. The Great American Songbook is the American pop music of the 1920’s to 50’s. This story and concert will be played at three different venues in Tucson that weekend.
Friday, April 17, Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 S Camino Del Sol; Saturday, April 18, Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2331 E Adams Street; Sunday, April 19, Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E Sunrise Drive; Tucson, various prices, 4:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, trueconcord.my.salesforce-sites.com
Ballet in Bloom
APRIL 17 through APRIL 19
Ballet Tucson presents Ballet in Bloom at the Proscenium Theatre from April 17 through April 19. The acts that will be performed are La Source, Bacchus, Mind Over Manner and Bolero. Ballet Tucson was established in 1986 by Mary Beth Cabana to create a world-class professional ballet company and school in Southern Arizona. The School of Ballet Tucson provides the opportunity for students to receive dance training from accomplished instructors.
Proscenium Theatre, 2202 W Anklam Road, Tucson, various prices, various times, ballettucson.org