Nightfall
ONGOING
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
Día de los Muertos Exhibit
ONGOING
Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens will be presenting its Dia de los Muertos Exhibit 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
OCT. 1
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 butterflies 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
Mavis Staples
OCT. 9
Mavis Staples is an American rhythm, blues and gospel singer, as well as a civil rights activist. The 86 year-old artist will perform at Fox Tucson Theatre on Thursday Oct. 9, showcasing a collection of songs from her 12th studio album, “We Get By,” including the titular track, which features GRAMMY Award-winning artist Ben Harper. Other songs on the record include “Change,” “Anytime,” “Heavy on my Mind,” “Brothers and Sisters,” “Never Needed Anyone,” “Stronger,” “Chance on Me,” “Hard to Leave” and “One More Change.
Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, $24-$85 all in, 7:30 p.m., foxtucson.com
The Julia Keefe
Indigenous Jazz Ensemble
OCT. 10
An ensemble of Native and Indigenous jazz musicians, The Julia Keefe Indigenous Jazz Ensemble will perform at Fox Tucson Theatre on Friday, Oct. 10. The group’s repertoire includes works from Mildred Bailey and Jim Pepper, as well as indigenous contemporary composers. The ensemble’s performances highlight and celebrate the long-standing traditions of Indigenous communities’ improvised music.
Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, $24-$64 all in, 7:30 p.m., foxtucson.com
‘Where Words Once Were’
OCT. 10 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 man hunt 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
Silent Sky
OCT. 10 to OCT. 12
Live Theatre Workshop presents Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson through mid October. The show explores the life and work of groundbreaking astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, credited with illuminating the cosmos and changing the course of science. Through the comedic and heartfelt retelling of Leavitt’s story, the play highlights the power of perseverance and untold stories of women in STEMM.
Live Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road Tucson, $27-$30, various times, livetheatreworkshop.org
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
Women’s Day
Oct. 12
Remember the women who have endured, and sometimes lost their lives to, domestic violence at Women’s Day, an event open to everyone. There will be vendors, a community closet swap, a photo booth and a short time featuring guest speakers. Music will be provided by DJ Peaches from KPYT-LP 100.3. The event is dedicated to Michelle Garcia, a recent victim of domestic violence.
Patio Mio, behind Empire Tattoo, 643 N. 4th Avenue, 1 p.m., free admission, for information, email 77lotusdesigns@gmail.com
¡Fiesta! con Sonia De Los Santos
OCT. 17
¡Fiesta! con Sonia De Los Santos is a bilingual concert experience at Fox Tucson Theatre that celebrates Latin-American music, storytelling, and culture. Sonia is a grammy-nominated artist well known for her warm stage presence and uplifting spirit. With her multicultural band and Las Azaleas — an all-women Mariachi band — she will perform music that pays tribute to Latina music pioneers.
Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, $8 per ticket for school groups, 7:30 p.m., foxtucson.com
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