Cover Story
A Remembrance of Painful Things Past
Chris Rush, author of the daring new memoir The Light Years, first got Tucson’s attention more 20 years ago, when he painted a comical mural of a baby’s fat-cheeked face on a downtown wall. It was adorned with three happy words: Eat. Fly. Cake. But Rush revealed his serious side in 2000 in one of…
24 Great Things to Do in Tucson This Weekend: April 19 to 21
Spring Break! Family Fun Day at the Farmers Market. Were you planning to take the family over to Trail Dust Town this weekend anyway? Well, now, you should make sure to, because they’re going all out this Friday, with 15 local food vendors, live music, face painting and a whole area just for hula hooping!…
XOXO: Where to Rock This Weekend, April 19 to 21
Taking alternative and metallic influences and allowing them to boil into an unexpressed inner storm, Seether search for a “Remedy” for their ills at the Pima County Fair. Details here. Beginnings were humble for this jazz-fusion institution named after corkscrew-twisted bands of freshwater green algae: An ongoing Tuesday night jam session at a Buffalo nightclub—plagued…
Eight Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Thursday, April 18
Third Annual Neighborhood Brewery Ride. To celebrate Bike Fest Tucson, the Rincon Heights Neighborhood Association is sampling brews at a few locations near their home and making some new friends along the way. Stops include Public Brewhouse and Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. before ending up at Tap & Bottle. The meet-up starts at Ninth Street…
XOXO: Where to Rock Thursday, April 18
Mid-1990s chart topper, “Mr. Boombastic,” Shaggy takes gaslighting to a new level of denial trumpeting “It Wasn’t Me.” At the Pima County Fair. Full details at pimacountyfair.com. Details here. Some of the fledgling bands that musician/record producer/songwriter John Vanderslice has hand-picked to accompany him on tour—Sufjan Stevens, Okkervil River and St. Vincent—went on to critical…
Laughing Stock: Overstock!
Comedy on a roll with popcorn When David Pike took over operations at the Screening Room last year, he says, “Booking comedy was only a matter of finding the right person. After that it was mostly about who you know.” The right person turned out to be Marcus Raymond Gallegos. An actor and recent graduate…
Claytoon of the Day: Peter On Pence
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Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Wednesday, April 17
Southern Arizona Senior Pride Book Club. There’s nothing like finishing a great book and then discussing it with a group of people who enjoyed it just as much as you did. Three cheers for book clubs! This month, Tucson LGBTQ+ seniors are meeting to discuss Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad. Both a Pulitzer Prize winner…
XOXO: Where to Rock Wednesday, April 17
Co-founder of Animal Collective, experimental popper Avey Tare herds the Cows on Hourglass Pond into 191 Toole. Ambient experimentalists Paradot provide underpinning. Details here. This soulful Syrian-American vocalist’s lyrics touch on love, loss and the Syrian Civil War that has touched his family. Prompting this funk/neo-soul ensemble to donate a portion of their merchandise proceeds…
Yarmulkes, Money and Labels: Trump’s Antisemitism and Racism
Is Trump our Racist/Antisemite-in-chief, or does he just play at it on TV and Twitter? The nicest thing you can say about Trump’s racist and antisemitic comments and tweets is what Andrew Gillum said about Ron DeSantis when the two of them were running for Florida governor: “I’m not calling Mr. Desantis a racist,” Gillum said. “I’m simply saying…
Free Pima County Fair Admission with Food Bank Donation
Fairgoers interested in skipping the $9 admission fee to the Pima County Fair may do so either this Sunday or next with a donation to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Between 10 a.m. and noon, April 21 and 28, the fair will allow free admission for three cans of food per person. The…
Claytoon of the Day: Notre Dame Fire
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Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Tuesday, April 16
Bleed for The Throne. Donate blood by April 30 for a chance to win a full-size Iron Throne from HBO’s Game of Thrones. Win a full-size poster as well. For your chance to win the throne, make an appointment at Foothills Mall Blood Donation Center, 7325 N La Cholla Blvd, or any American Red Cross…
XOXO: Where to Rock Tuesday, April 16
After a near-death experience this indie icon returns with Circuit Boredom, some of the strongest music of his career. “We were in this sweet little cabin and in the middle of the night, Lizzy [Kweller’s wife] woke up in a panic, ‘Ben, get up! Something’s wrong. I feel horrible.’” Kweller adds, “We grabbed the boys…
Adoptable Pet: Trixie Needs A Home
“Could you love an old girl like me? I am a 10-year-old senior dog looking for a forever home. It’s harder for old dogs like me to thrive in the shelter setting. I hope I get to move into my new home soon! I would love to meet any dogs that currently live with you!”…
Roadrunners Miss AHL Postseason After Falling to San Diego in Season Finale, 4-3
The Tucson Roadrunners’ task in Saturday’s regular season finale was a seemingly easy one: win or lose in overtime to reach the American Hockey League’s playoffs for a second straight season. Unfortunately for the home side, the finale was not a case of fait accompli, falling to the San Diego Gulls, 4-3. The team’s fate…
Claytoon of the Day: Department Of Conspiracies
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Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Monday, April 15
Yappy Hour Monday. Bring your furry friend to the Playground for happy hour with Tito’s Vodka. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. No cover. Doggy treats made from HUB Ice Cream Factory will be provided. 4 to 7 p.m. Details here. Maynard’s 10th Birthday. It’s time to party downtown, but maybe not at…
XOXO: Where to Rock Monday, April 15
“No man grows till he tests his might against what his eyes can’t see.” Gifted with a barrel chested voice like that of a manic street preacher—perhaps a result of the gospel choirs he sang with as a youngster—folk singer-songwriter Shawn James examines The Dark & The Light at 191 Toole. Psychedelic rockers Fever Feel…
All Bets Are On: UA Women’s Basketball, UVA’s National Championship and Mick Cronin’s UCLA Arrival
All Bets Are On is back with the latest on the Arizona Wildcats’ women’s basketball team, which won the WNIT Championship last Saturday. Co-hosts Christopher Boan and Tyler Vondrak break down whether coach Adia Barnes should get a hefty salary bump this offseason and whether the Wildcats can continue their recent run in the 2019-20…
The Curious Case Of Arizona’s Small School District Funding
Take a look at the per student expenditures in three Arizona districts. Alpine Elementary District: $16,338 per student Bouse Elementary: $31,381 per student Young Elementary: $34,400 per student That’s twice to four times the average spending in the state. Now take a look at another set of figures: the number of students in each district. Alpine…
Oro Valley Murder Suspect Out of Jail on Reduced Bond
Trevor Draegeth, an Oro Valley man accused of killing his wife, was released from Pima County jail Wednesday night after he paid a bond of $250,000. He is charged with first degree murder and will plead not guilty. On the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 12 Trevor called the Oro Valley police who came to his…
Claytoon of the Day: A Trumpian Hole
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29 Great Things to Do in Tucson This Weekend: April 12 to 14
April Flowers Wine Tasting. Bring in the spring at Maynards Market & Kitchen by sampling five wines all featuring floral and herbal notes. Sure, smelling flowers is nice, but have you ever tasted one? How about catching a buzz from one? 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 12. 400 N. Toole Ave. $12. Details here.…
XOXO: Where to Rock This Weekend, April 12 to 14
The Spring Concert Series continues. Musical camaleón and curandero Carlos Arzate & the Kind Souls work their magic on the plaza at Hotel Congress. Details here. In a Rabelaisian celebration of liberation from restraint and societal dogma, under the stewardship of Tucson Libertine League’s Lola Torch, Reveal: A Debut of Burlesque Performances unveils itself at…
Temple of Tiny Monkeys to Open Saturday
Dasher and Dancer and Donner and Blitzen… wait, wait, no. Glitter, Sparkles, Dazzle and Parker are now at the Reid Park Zoo! The brand new Temple of Tiny Monkeys will be open for the first time on Saturday, April 13. “For such tiny animals, they have huge personalities,” Animal Care Supervisor Alex Zelazo-Kessler said in…
Ina Road Interchange Reopening Next Week
Two years after work began, relief is on the horizon for commuters in northwest Tucson. Interstate-10 at West Ina Road will re-open next week. The $128 million-dollar project includes a four-lane overpass spanning the Union Pacific tracks, the interstate and a separate bridge over the Santa Cruz River. Barring unforeseen weather conditions, the exit and…
Claytoon of the Day: Dirty Jobs
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Police Dispatch
Two fellow fast-food workers’ distaste for each other erupted in a near-choking incident after one of them made a pretty bad joke.
A Sexhibiton Without Inhibition: Tucson Erotica Festival
Don’t think erotic art is your thing? Woodhall thinks it might be worth going anyway.
Magical Transformation: Shazam!
While a little sloppy at times, the movie works thanks to its central performances and warm hearted core.
Reel Indie
Movies to see at Tucson’s indie theaters this week
Code Breakers: XIXA
Over a blunge of Tecate, tequila and coffee—at once intoxicating and sobering much like The Code itself—XOXO met up with Brian Lopez and Gabe Sullivan
XOXO
Where to rock in Tucson this week
Know Your Product: Avey Tare
Easily outshining his previous solo efforts, Tare’s newest album is a subtle combination of hypnotic folk, psychedelic soundscapes and pop hooks.
Southern Accents: Two Boots BBQ
Two Boots BBQ is like stepping into that classic joint on the side of the road on the outskirts of a Southern town.
Editor’s Note
Congrats to the UA Women’s basketball team!
Quick Bites
Places and events to grab a bite at this week
Border Skirmishes
National Border Patrol Council Vice President Art Del Cueto spoke to a group of about 20 college students and invited guests at last week’s University of Arizona College Republicans Club meeting at the UA Student Union Memorial Center. Outside the Santa Cruz Room, dozens of student and community activists protested Del Cueto’s visit in silence,…
City Week
Happenings around town this week.
Hoop Champs
The final victory, which came the afternoon of April 6 against the Wildcats of Northwestern University, capped off the school’s second championship at the postseason event.
See America the Quirky in “American Stories” at Etherton
Fresh from a Peace Corps tour in poverty-stricken Jamaica in the late sixties, photographer Bill Owens landed a newspaper job in Livermore, California.
Citizen Scientists
“One of the best parts is that you don’t have to be a scientist to participate.”
Danehy
This was a real by-golly basketball game with some badass athletes and refs and a championship on the line.
The Skinny
Cash Chase Tucson mayoral candidates show us the money It’s been two decades since we had a real Democratic primary battle in a mayoral race. You’d have to go way back to 1999, when four Democrats—Molly McKasson, Betsy Bolding, Janet Marcus and Pat Darcy—clambered into the ring, with a wounded McKasson emerging from the primary…
MMJ: Mounting Monetary Policy
Arizonans legalized cannabis almost a decade ago, now. Yet patients still must withdraw cash to purchase cannabis products at dispensaries, and dispensaries still must find a way to store massive amounts of cash.
