Día de los Muertos Exhibit
ONGOING
Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens will be presenting its Dia de los Muertos Exhibit starting in late August through early November. The display will feature pieces from artists that reflect both traditional and contemporary celebrations of the holiday that have become ingrained in Tucson’s history and cultural heritage. On Aug. 26 and Aug. 28, the exhibit was accompanied by a Curator Talk with Director of Arts James Schaub.
Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens & Galleries, 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, free admission, 10 a.m., tohonochul.org
Butterfly Magic
ONGOING
Daily through next year, the Tucson Botanical Gardens will open its tropical butterfly house. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., patrons can see over 30 species of butterfly at the Cox Butterfly & Orchid Pavilion. For the course of the season, the gardens will feature over 100 species of butterflies along with tropical plants and orchids. Botanical Gardens staff and veterans will be nearby as well to answer any questions guests may have.
Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, included with general admission, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., tucsonbotanical.org
Nightfall
OCT. 2
Through November, the Nightfall festival at Old Tucson will be available, featuring scary entertainment, attractions, craft cuisine and creepy cocktails. Mary Hyde will take on a new form as the Demon Queen, with the power to summon a terrifying army of demons from the underworld. On Thursdays, ticket prices are discounted to $29.
Old Tucson 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, $44 for adults, $39 for children, 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., oldtucson.com
‘Where Words Once Were’
OCT. 3 to OCT. 12
Finegan Krukemeyer’s play, “Where Words Once Were,” is set in a dystopian world where language is rationed to 1,000 approved words. The protagonists Alli and her son Orhan lead a normal life until the words “I think I see a city that rues words” are plastered on the wall over Alli’s bakery. As the city begins a manhunt for the perpetrator, the story’s hero, Orhan, discovers that a single word can change the world.
The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre, 738 N. 5th Avenue, Suite 131, Tucson, $38 for adults, $35 for seniors, $25 for students, teachers and theatre artists, various times, scoundrelandscamp.org
‘Zorro’
OCT. 4
Arizona Opera presents its adaptation of “Zorro,” the legendary masked vigilante — performed in English and Spanish. The story follows Diego de La Vega to his native pueblo in Los Angeles, where he encounters old flames, tyranny and oppression. Zorro ignites a revolution against the Spanish empire and becomes the hero of the people.
Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 240 S. Church Avenue, Tucson, tickets start at $30, 2 p.m., azopera.org
Asian Night Market
OCT. 4
The Tucson Asian Night Market returns on Saturday, Oct. 4 with an expanded offering of street food, live entertainment, and cultural festivities. The event’s new home at Heirloom Farmer’s Market pavilions at Rillito Park allows for more space and ample free parking to accommodate its growing popularity. Tucson Foodie and Death Free Foodie worked with The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, The Drop Dance Studio, Kira Kira Collectibles, The Chinese Chorizo Project, Tuk Tuk Thai and a passionate group of local Asian community leaders to present the event.
Heirloom Farmers Markets 4502 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, free admission, 6 to 10 p.m., anm.tucsonfoodie.com
Reptile and Amphibian Show & Sale
OCT. 4 to OCT. 5
The 23rd Annual Reptile and Amphibian Show and Sale will run from Saturday, Oct. 4, to Sunday, Oct. 5. Exotic reptilian animals, including snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs and turtles will be on display in a 60,000 square-foot area. Cages, supplies, reptile art, jewelry, clothing and books will be available for purchase as well.
Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road, Tucson, $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, free admission for children under 5, various times, tucsonreptileshow.com
‘An Evening with 10,000 Maniacs’
OCT. 5
10,000 Maniacs is an alternative rock band that will perform at Fox Tucson Theatre as part of its October lineup of shows. Similar to the city of Jamestown — where the band originated — the group is honest and hardworking, a step outside the mainstream, and possesses a bit of magic.
Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, $24 to $87 all-in pricing, 7 p.m., foxtucson.com
‘Las Marthas’
OCT. 8
Cristina Ibarra’s documentary “Las Marthas” follows two Mexican-American girls as they carry the tradition of 1939 debutantes on their shoulders. As they navigate economic uncertainty and tensions over immigration, the girls’ story offers an intimate exploration of identity, belonging and the contradictions of heritage in a community shaped by both sides of the border. Director Cristina Ibarra, Folklorist Dr. Maribel Alvarez and Documentary Filmmaker Jacob Bricca will host a Q&A panel after the screening to facilitate discussion about the film.
Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, $12 all-in pricing, 7 p.m., foxtucson.com
Tucson Film Festival
OCT. 9 to OCT. 12
This year marks the 21st annual Tucson Film Festival, featuring the film “40 Watts from Nowhere” on Oct. 10. Directed by Sue Carpenter and produced by Brandon Jay, the documentary explores the Los Angeles-based pirate radio station KBLT. Its 40-watt signal broadcast from a small apartment closet gave rise to a major cultural movement. Other films will include “Burt,” directed by Joe Burke as the centerpiece of the festival, “I’ve Seen All I Need to See” and “Omaha,” directed by Cole Webley on the closing night.
The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress Street, Tucson, $10, various times, screeningroomdowntown.com, tucsonfilmfestival.net
Exotic Bird Fair
OCT. 19
Tucson’s Exotic Bird Fair introduces families with special feathered friends. The team educates new bird owners on the proper care for the critters, offering a wellspring of support and information about the dietary, housing and socialization needs of various species, as well as potential dangers to them. In addition to selling new flying family members, the fair features various bird care supplies — including toys, perches, cages, nesting boxes and food. Fairgoers can also look forward to purchasing bird-themed crafts, and entering raffles for fun prizes.
Kino Sports Complex Event Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way, Tucson, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, $5 cash only, free admission for children ages 12 and younger, astbirdclub.org