Mailbag
Howls of outrage and squeals of delight from our astonished fans.
Live
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Tucson Convention Center Arena, Sunday, Dec. 11
Billing Blunders
Trasoff, Uhlich demand improvements in the city’s garbage-fee-waiver system
Rhythm & Views
Infiniheart is a compilation of songs–recorded by Alberta’s Chad VanGaalen in his bedroom–that has been reissued by Sub Pop, and despite the now-cliché lo-fi bedroom-recording thing, the record starts out with sparkling pop (“Clinically Dead”) and sleepy indie-folk like “After the Afterlife.” What is evident here is that VanGaalen writes songs that rely on tried-and-true…
Local Heroes
Eight people and groups who strive to make Tucson–and the world–a better place
Rhythm & Views
Inexplicably, Wilco have become quite the contentious band. Many of the same critics and fans who hailed them as the little guy (small band) triumphing over the big guy (major label) during their Yankee Hotel Foxtrot debacle did an about-face last year when they released A Ghost Is Born. Admittedly, Ghost isn’t a neo-classic like…
Media Watch
The Maiden Voyage
Rhythm & Views
The last time I played video games, they inspired novelty songs like “Pac Man Fever,” but, here we are in the 21st century, where games apparently warrant full-on soundtrack albums, like this one. The theme here–the musical one, anyway–is to get modern indie-rockers to cover well-known songs that have been radio staples since the ’50s…
The Range
A recap of last week’s news
Top Ten in Music
CD City’s top sales for the week
Police Dispatch
Licentious Looks Overton and Thornydale Roads, Dec. 2, 4:31 p.m. The manager of a supermarket banned a male customer after a mother complained he had ogled her 16-year-old daughter, a Pima County Sheriff’s Department report said. The mother said she and her daughter were standing near the delicatessen at Safeway Food and Drug, 9705 N.…
Compelling Kids
This producer of fare like ‘Assassins’ wants to teach your children theater arts
T Q&A
Tucson Q&A with Mike Hartsig
Expressions of Joy
Douglas Leichter mixes pointillism and pattern painting in his recent works on canvas
Pick of the Week
Funny Business
Forms by Females
A dozen of Tucson’s top women artists display their creations at Conrad Wilde
City Week
Our top picks of what to do and where to do it for the week.
Death by Water
Simmons Buntin’s ‘Riverfall’ drowns the reader in aquatic imagery–in a good way
Danehy
Richard Pryor: 1940-2005
Bourgeois Charm
‘Electric Shadows’ makes for a nice romance, but it could have been much more
Top Ten in Books
Antigone Books best-sellers for the week
Tuttle
As Christmas approaches, let us step back and look at its origins
Miracle Movie
While its box-office take has been disappointing, ‘King Kong’ itself enthralls
Mucho Gusto
This Italian bistro shines with polished service and sublime sauces
Guest Commentary
Catherine’s most excellent adventure in zoning governance
Now Showing at Home
“King Kong: Peter Jackson’s Production Diaries,” “Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Vol. 4,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Cinderella Man: Collector’s Edition”
Noshing Around
Festive Christmas Eve Most restaurants are open, because after all, it’s a Saturday night. If you’re not frazzled with last-minute details, consider lingering at Soleil’s bar sipping a spiced champagne cocktail or a glass of vintage port and simply soak up the twinkling city views at 3001 E. Skyline Drive; 299-3345. Christmas Day Dining Pick…
Good Housekeeping
A note from the editor.
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week
Immigrant Impasse
Migrant child protection faces a rocky road in Congress
Rhythm Around Us
José Saavedra sings about what he sees in the world surrounding him
The Skinny
NO CITY-LEAGUE SOFTBALL PLAYER LEFT BEHIND Christmas came early last week for the Pima County Interfaith Council, when the new Democratic majority on the Tucson City Council doled out $1.5 million in stocking stuffers. Members of the left-leaning alliance of churches packed the council chambers as Ward 5 Councilman Steve Leal handed out candy like…
Soundbites
NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING As is the norm for this time of year, there’s not a heck of a lot to report. Most folks–bands included–are stone-cold lampin’ by the fireplace with family and friends, so be thankful for the few interesting shows this week to give you an excuse to excuse yourself from the…
Down in the Dumps
One man’s garbage is another man’s livelihood
Nine Questions
Jeff Ratcliff
