Cover Story
Agaves Are Us
Agaves have been much more than just another pretty face over their centuries of being in symbiotic relationships with other desert dwellers, us humans included.
Hotel McCoy Hosts “Black Renaissance” Through May
Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca once said, “Besides black art, there is only automation and mechanization.” Black Renaissance is an event taking place throughout May, celebrating black artists from the Tucson community. The ongoing event is designed to educate and enlighten attendees on black culture and its vast impact. Founder of Black Renaissance, seanloui has…
I Am Goddamn Sick And Tired of Hearing “We Can’t Afford It”
In some states, school districts are saying they can’t afford the raises they promised teachers and may have to lay off staff and increase class sizes to compensate for the salary increases. That makes sense, right? Teachers may be underpaid, but we have to be realistic. We just can’t afford to pay them what they deserve.…
Laughing Stock: Friends of Chris Rock
Rich Vos: King of Dragons Google Rich Vos comedy and the results will weary your scrolling finger. “I’m better than Game of Thrones,” Vos told us in an interview last week. We wanted to describe his comedy to uninitiated Tucsonans. That should do it. Thrones fans and the rest of us can see him live…
Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Thursday, May 2
Odyssey Storytelling Presents: Heroes and Villains. Everyone loves a good hero and villain story—especially when the identities of the two are so obvious, like in Moses and the Pharaoh, or with SpongeBob and Plankton. But in real life, things are a little fuzzier: Sometimes you’re the hero, but sometimes you’re the villain. And sometimes, you…
XOXO: Where to Rock Thursday, May 2
A chiming 12-string acoustic guitar sets the mood on “Under The Milky Way” for the shadowy lyrics to whisper at the mysteries of the cosmos. It remains at the pinnacle of this Australian bands catalogue, now 26 albums deep. Dream poppers The Church drift the Starfish 30th Anniversary Tour into 191 Toole. Details here. Celebrate…
Surgeries Begin at Banner UMC’s New ‘Tower 1’
After four years of construction, Banner – University Medical Center’s $446 million “Tower 1” is open and operating. The new nine-story patient tower opened on April 22, with its first surgeries taking place April 29. The new location includes more than 200 private rooms. It also includes 20 new operating rooms, which are replacing 18 now-closed…
Keep Your Furry Friends Cool This Summer
Every year, the Pima Animal Care Center receives hundreds of calls involving pets that suffer from heat-related illnesses, injuries and even death. Many times, these tragic incidents were preventable. With triple-digit temperatures coming in the near future, PACC has provided tips for Southern Arizona pet owners to keep their furry friends safe and cool during…
Sean Miller Alleged to Have Given Deandre Ayton $10,000 A Month
Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller’s name has come up frequently during the federal court case against Christian Dawkins and co-defendant Merl Code. Wednesday’s proceedings included a wiretap that proports to show former Arizona assistant coach Emanuel ‘Book’ Richardson discussing an ongoing payment scheme to former Wildcat Deandre Ayton. Ayton, who was selected number one overall…
Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Wednesday, May 1
Expressive Figurative. The Wilde Meyer Gallery’s May exhibit is focused on the way artists share narratives by depicting humans and animals. Sometimes, it’s through a straightforward portrait. Other times, there are whole scenes surrounding the central figure that tell a story worth thousands upon thousands of words. From a blissful-looking steer to a vibrantly colorful…
XOXO: Where to Rock Wednesday, May 1
He’s drawn comparisons to provocateurs like Hendrix and Davis. From funk to bluegrass, classical to jazz, ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro has taken the instrument to places that Don Ho (the icon of breezy Hawaiian pop) could never have imagined. At The Rialto Theater. Details here. Evolving away from self-indulgent metallic riffing—finding inspiration in hip hop…
The Story In Pictures | Ex Hex
Yes, It’s Real. Mary Timony’s D.C. power pop quartet Ex Hex ripped through Club Congress, this Sunday past, effortlessly proving that they are “Tough Enough.” L.A.’s psych/punk/grunge/post-future rockers Feels and local mystics Lenguas Largas opened the show. Chaos ensued.
Claytoon of the Day: Nazis Yay, Gays Nay
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Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Tuesday, April 30
National Bubble Tea Day at Enchanted Cafe. Boba, you know, those gooey orbs of mystery and magic floating around in fruity drinks. If you’ve never had boba, now’s your chance. Enchanted Cafe is offering 15 percent off all 20 types of their boba drinks. And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can make up some…
XOXO: Where to Rock Tuesday, April 30
Bound by deep roots, these Central Texas country boys share brotherhood and an even deeper passion about rock ’n’ roll. Out on the road, Copper Chief bring their “Body Aches” with them to 191 Toole. Details here. This month, in a benefit for Tucson Roller Derby, the feminist talk/variety show Ladytowne transforms into Skateytowne. Steena…
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Your New Best Friend
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year by bringing home a new pet! Pima Animal Care Center is celebrating the holiday by offering all pets four months and older for only $5. The event will run Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5 and will include raffle prizes for people who adopt a pet. Currently, there…
Ice Cream Festival to Take Over Rillito Park This Weekend
The weather is heating up and we can’t think of a better way to cool down than with unlimited ice cream! It’s time for a brain freeze! This weekend, May 4 and 5, Rillito Park will be transformed into an ice cream lover’s paradise, and pretty much every kid’s dream world. Unlimited ice cream, face…
Save the Pets AZ Hosts Fundraiser Flight Above Tucson
Tucson-based nonprofit Save the Pets AZ will once again host its Win-A-Flight fundraiser this weekend. The charity, which aims to save pets at risk of being euthanized in shelters around Tucson, will be giving away a Sunset Airplane ride over Tucson, featuring an experienced pilot and a free bottle of champagne. Shelter Director Kay Garcia,…
Claytoon of the Day: Riden With Biden
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Three Great Things to Do in Tucson Today: Monday, April 29
Bacanora: Spirit of the Sonoran Desert. Exo Bar is hosting back-to-back events for the Agave Heritage Festival. At these intimate evenings, you can learn about the sustainability and future of agave while sampling Bacanora and other mezcals along with traditional accompaniments. This celebration of Sonoran mezcals includes presentations by mezcal makers and discussions about sustainable…
XOXO: Where to Rock Monday, April 29
With an impressive arsenal of chart topping hits to draw from, three of country music’s biggest artists—Terri Clark, Pam Tillis and Suzy Bogguss—perform an intimate evening of acoustic music. “I’d been thinking about putting this together for years,” says Clark. “There is a short list of women that have the hits to back it up.…
Perfectly Imperfect Women’s Stories in 20th Century Blues
I had been perusing the playbill for 20th Century Blues while waiting for the show to begin. I noticed the image of four women, standing in solidarity, walking toward a camera. The sounds of Motown and 70’s anthems played in the background. As the lights rose on Invisible Theatre’s season-ending production, my feminist spirit was…
All Bets Are On: Covering Christian Dawkins’ Alleged Ties to Sean Miller, Arizona Softball and Kyler Murray
Co-hosts Christopher Boan and Tyler Vondrak return to touch on the latest sports information in the Tucson Weekly’s only sports podcast. This week’s show covers the gamut, from the federal court hearing looking into former agent Christian Dawkins’ ties to college basketball to Arizona softball’s meteoric rise and Kyler Murray’s arrival in Phoenix. Vondrak puts…
Amphi District Cancels High School Course Created By the Freedom Center
In December, the TUSD board voted unanimously to remove the high school course, Ethics, Economy, and Entrepreneurship, from its curriculum. The course was created by faculty at UA’s Freedom Center, the local outpost of the Koch networks’ nationwide web of think tanks and university centers. The effort to get the course out of TUSD was led…
Claytoon of the Day: Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!
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Voting is Open for Best of Tucson 2019!
Tucson is a magical town. You might even say it’s a magic kingdom, if it wouldn’t get you sued. And the Weekly is once again gonna celebrate Tucson’s most magical museums, restaurants, brewpubs, dive bars, coffee houses, annual spectacles, playgrounds and all the rest in this year’s Best of Tucson. But to take this magic…
Tilting at a Windmill
Director Terry Gilliam’s pursuit of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote does not have a glorious ending
Reel Indie
Films to see at Tucson’s local indie theaters this week
Separate and Together: The Wild Reeds
On Cheers, each of the Wild Reeds’ three songwriters became stronger individually, and the band is better for it.
XOXO
Where to rock in Tucson this week
Know Your Product: The Wild Reeds
Uplifting as the morning sun, the music of The Wild Reeds fuses three-part harmonies, folk melodies and just a bit of that country twang.
Police Dispatch
A man who tried to trash a meth pipe claimed he’d just found it in the trash, according to a Pima County Sheriff’s Department report.
Editor’s Note
We welcome noted author and ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan back to our pages this week with an essay about the magic of agaves ahead of the Agave Heritage Festival
Three For All: Tucson’s Mayoral Candidates
With a primary election coming up in August, mayoral candidates Steve Farley, Randi Dorman and Regina Romero have about four months to win over the hearts and minds of Democratic and independent voters.
Quick Bites
Where to eat and drink around town his week
Lesson Plan: Pima Community College
Education is changing. Perhaps no local institution better proves this than Pima Community College.
Checking Out
A proposed $88 million hotel project that would have incorporated the downtown’s historic Rialto Theatre is dead.
The Skinny
Former Arizona AG pursues state constitutional amendment to require disclosure with major campaign contributions and new fundraising numbers in the mayor’s race
City Week
Music Psychout! At The Rock. Into psychedelic bands like Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd and Iron Butterfly? This event is a celebration of all things trippy and neo-psychedelic, now at a bigger venue than ever. Sugar Candy Mountain is headlining, and other bands include the Psychedelephants, Tropical Beach, Silver Cloud Express and The Desert Beats. Local…
Danehy
Tom has a totally excellent plan for a new charter school
Master Class
Newly minted MFA artists tackle the world’s woes, from migrant deaths to war profiteering
The Power of Myth: Polaroid Stories
A play that is ancient myth and modern problems, but turned in on itself until it is both dizzyingly beautiful and powerfully painful
