Editor’s Note: While we are delighted
to see Tucsonans once again gathering
for fun events, we are also aware that
variants are in widespread circulation.
Please consider getting vaccinated
against COVID if you haven’t yet.
The Kreutzer Sonata. What’s more dramatic
than moody classical music? How about Leo
Tolstoy? How about MURDER? Thank goodness for Live Theatre Workshop, which brings
us this play with all three. Playwright Nany
Harris has brought this story by Leo Tolstoy
to life, honoring his wish that it someday be
set to music. It’s about a man who finds out his
wife is having an a air with her music partner
and is murderously angry. Through March 19.
730 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3
p.m. on Sundays Live Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road. $23 GA.
Little One-Inch. Ah, the story of li’l Tom
Thumb is so charming. Somehow even more
charming is the Japanese version, Little
One-Inch. And the charm level just
goes through the roof when it’s put
on as a gorgeous puppet show over
at Red Herring Puppets. Artistic
director Lisa Sturz puts her 40 years
of experience in puppetry into
this show full of magical elements,
beautiful visuals and sweet life
lessons about how even the tiniest of
people can achieve great and wonderful
things. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 and Sunday, Feb. 27.
Red Herring Puppet Studio at the Tucson Mall
(between Macy’s and Forever 21). $8.
Rob Boone’s “Blue Trombone: The Music of JJ Johnson.” JJ Johnson started
playing trombone when he was 14, and became one of the very first trombonists
to embrace the bebop style. He was a hugely influential performer and composer,
with trombonist Steve Turre once saying, “All of us that are playing today wouldn’t
be playing the way we’re playing if it wasn’t
for what he did.” Rob Boone is Tucson’s first
call trombonist who has organized a tribute
to JJ Johnson, named for the 1957 Blue Note
album. Any excuse to spend time in The Century Room, the snazzy new jazz club over at
Hotel Congress, is good by us. Saturday, Feb.
26. Show at 7:30 p.m., doors at 7 p.m. Century
Club at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
$15, plus a one-item minimum.
The Hotel Congress Séance Experience. You know, sometimes you just gotta go
talk to a ghost. Or at least try and listen
to a ghost. These special, live, theatrical
seances are held in the only room on
Hotel Congress’ third floor that survived
the 1934 fire. The fire started in the basement and spread up to the third floor,
where the Dillinger gang was hiding out
after a series of bank robberies. Spooky
stuff! Keep in mind that the 1934 fi re also
destroyed the elevator, so you’ll need to
walk up some stairs to get to this event.
7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Hotel Congress,
311 E. Congress St. $12.50 regular or $25
VIP.
Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism
in America. The winner of a Documentary Spotlight Award at the 2021 SXSW
Film Festival, this film follows criminal
defense/civil rights lawyer Jerey Robinson, as he paints a portrait of anti-Black
racism in the United States, from slavery
to today. Directors Emily and Sarah
Kuntsler are the daughters of lawyer and
civil rights activist William Kunstler,
best known for defending the Chicago
Seven. After the film, hear from a panelist of experts: Karsonya Wise Whitehead, founder and director of the Karson
Institute for Race, Peace and Social Justice; Jamie Utt-Schumaker, founder and
Director of Education at CivilSchools:
Building Bullying-Free Culture; and
Sherard A. Robbins, founder and CEO
of Visceral Change. 6 p.m. Friday, Feb.
25. Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
$10 GA.
The Choir of Man. This show has been
called “the ultimate feel-good show,” and
I think we could all use that. The whole
thing takes place in a good ol’ Irish pub,
and features a cast of nine dudes who
are extremely good at harmonizing.
There is tap dancing! There are poetic
meditations on the power of community! And there is even the Pina Colada
song, and a real, working bar onstage. Come on down to the Fox Theatre for a
foot tappin’, sing-alongin’ good time. 7:30
p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Fox Theatre, 17 W.
Congress St. $27.50 to $47.50.
Action Week Book Drive. This event
by the Assistance League of Tucson is
a great and easy way to give back to the
community. Throughout the week, they’ll
be accepting donations of NEW books
for all ages at the following locations:
Mildred and Dildred, 1725 N. Swan
Road; Mostly Books, 6208 E. Speedway
Blvd.; and Barnes & Noble East, 5130 E.
Broadway Blvd. They will also have a
donation drop o box at their thrift store,
1307 Alvernon Way. The book drive lasts
through Tuesday, March 1. There will be
Assistance League volunteers in stores
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mildred and Dildred
and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mostly Books on
Saturday, Feb. 26; and from 11 a.m. to 3
p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27 at Barnes and
Noble.
Silent Art Auction + Donation
Benefit for Lacey Wilson. Lacey Wilson
is a local speaker, advocate and friend to
many known for going out of her way to
help others. After receiving a diagnosis
of Graves Disease, ovarian cysts and anemia a few months ago, life has been difficult. Crooked Tooth is hosting this silent
auction, with pieces donated from local
artists, to help finance her medical costs.
It feels good to do good. But a chance to
support a good cause, local artists, and
a local business all in one night? With
craft beer? That feels extra good. Noon to
11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Crooked Tooth
Brewing Co., 228 E. Sixth St.
Angels Too Marketplace. Formerly
known as the Unique Boutique, this
craft show has been around for more
than a quarter of a century, and they’re
always growing. This month, come see
40+ vendors selling treats ranging from
handmade crafts to jewelry to metal
art to knitted and sewn items to baked
goods. Do you ever just step back and
think about how lucky we are to live in a
community with so much dang art and creativity? Here’s to you, Tucson. 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 and 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. La Paloma Academy,
8140 E. Golf Links Road.
This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2022.