Richard F. Caris
Mirror Lab Tours
ONGOING
The University of Arizona’s Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab produces some of the world’s largest telescope mirrors, combining expertise in physics, optics and advanced manufacturing. Located beneath Arizona Stadium, the facility helps enable astronomical discoveries through innovative mirror-making technology. Tours are offered Monday through Friday, with times available online.
Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, 933 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson, $25 adult tickets and $20 for students, various times, mirrorlab.arizona.edu
Mini Time Machine Museum
ONGOING
Explore a unique collection of 11 hand-painted die-cast model cars and miniature vehicles featured in the Arizona State Museum’s “Traditions in Motion” exhibition. Created by Native artists, the pieces showcase how Indigenous communities blend heritage and contemporary culture through customized vehicles and other forms of transportation. The exhibit highlights a dynamic artistic tradition that transforms everyday objects into expressions of identity, creativity and cultural pride.
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson, museum admission, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., theminitimemachine.org
Howe Gelb’s 70th Sun Cycle Concert
OCT. 22
A legend in underground music since the ‘80s, Howe Gelb has released 40 albums, cobbling together rock, country, jazz and noise influences, all the while calling Tucson home. At his 70th birthday party at La Rosa, pro-skateboarder-turned-indie rocker Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) will headline, joined by Patsy’s Rats, Gabriel Pietrangelo with a mini choir, Brian Lopez and Gabriel Sullivan, Lonna Kelley and daughter Talula Gelb.
La Rosa, 800 N. Country Club Road, 7:30 p.m., from $22, larosatucson.org
Tucson Celtic Festival & Scottish Highland Games
OCT. 23 through OCT. 25
The Tucson Celtic Festival has brought ancient Indo-European culture to the city for 40 years running. The fest offers three days of live celtic music, food and drink, and of course, the traditional Scottish Highland Games, which showcases heavy athletic events like the caber toss and hammer throw.
Rillito Regional Park, 4502 N. First Avenue, 8 a.m., $22, tucsoncelticfestival.org
Ballet Tucson’s Spirit Garden and Other Works
OCT. 23 through OCT. 25
Ballet Tucson will honor its 40th Anniversary Season with a spectacular program showcasing the artistry, creativity, and cultural heritage that have helped define the company for four decades. The company will return with four captivating works, including a world premiere (“Ovation”), an audience-favorite encore (“The Storm Before the Calm”) and the highly-anticipated return of Spirit Garden.
Arizona Temple of Music, 330 S. Scott Avenue, various times, from $27 admission, ballettucson.org
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum Halloween Party
OCT. 24
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum for an early, All Hallows’ Eve celebration that will be fun for the whole family. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the museum will offer games, candy, and a Fun Farm Choo Choo train ride. Don’t forget to show up in costume!
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, 414 N. Toole Avenue, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free admission, southernarizonatrainmuseum.org
Happy Accidents: True Stories from a Ridiculous Life
OCT. 25
What is a “happy accident”? It’s a question explored by playwright and performer Monica Bauer in her solo show, which begins with her near car crash at the age of seven. From there, the production delves into intimate and illuminating stories from the life of a woman who’s seen it all. The performance is a benefit for Invisible Theatre’s 55 for 55 Fund, which is raising $55,000 by December 31st.
Invisible Theatre, 1400 N. 1st Avenue, 7 p.m., from $23 admission, invisibletheatre.com
Bizarre NOIR: A Weird Show for the Witching Season
OCT. 27
Kabarett presents a performance by a 16-piece orchestra and singers, celebrating Halloween’s pagan origins and contemporary traditions. The ensemble will deliver music from films like Nightmare Before Christmas, Psycho, and Halloween, in a seated show that promises atmosphere, whimsy and action.
La Rosa, 800 N. Country Club Road, 7:30 p.m., from $35, larosatucson.org
City of the Sun at Club Congress
OCT. 27
Join acoustic post-rock duo City of the Sun for a genre-bending show at Club Congress. The four-piece outfit will perform its recent album Under the Moon, which, like the rest of its discography, blends eclectic influences from gypsy jazz, to flamenco to American indie rock. Desert Music Project, a Tucson-based instrumental band, will open.
Club Congress, 311 E Congress St, 7 p.m., $20 advance, $25 day of, 21+, hotelcongress.com
‘The Who’s Tommy’ at Centennial Hall UA
OCT. 20 to OCT. 25
Visiting Tucson in late October, “The Who’s Tommy” is a broadway interpretation of The Who’s classic, 1969 rock opera “Tommy.” Told through hits like “Acid Queen,” “Pinball Wizard” and “See Me, Feel Me,” the album and musical chronicle a boy named Tommy who, after becoming deaf and blind at a young age, discovers an innate talent for pinball.
Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard, Various times, tickets from $53, broadwayintucson.com
