Cover Stories
Open to All: Steampunk convention provides a space for everyone
For Deena and Jason Drotman, creating an open and accessible space where steampunk fans can come together is the impetus for their annual event, Wild West Steampunk Convention. This year, the convention is Thursday, Feb. 29, to Sunday, March 3, at the Casino del Sol. It will have a “heroes and villains” theme. The event…
Finding Their Rhythm: School of Rock takes students to the stage
Growing up in Illinois, John Sacia played football, baseball and basketball, and participated in band. His athletic pursuits were cut short when he was in a serious car crash his senior year of high school. Sports were out, and the only thing he had left was music. “I always wanted to be in the military…
How much water does it take to grow cannabis?
Over the years, the cannabis industry has found substantial success in marketing itself as an alternative medicine. While true, it seems that our cultural association with cannabis, that it’s natural and beloved by hippies, has spilled into our understanding of how the cannabis industry impacts our planet. So, exactly how much water do cannabis farms…
Non-Smiling Faces: Randiesia Fletcher looks to change perceptions through new exhibit
In her “Living2Portraits” work, expressionist artist Randiesia Fletcher tries to challenge common misconceptions about Pan-African faces. This especially applies to non-smiling expressions, and exploring concepts of culture, family, community and nationality through her oil paintings. She is bringing together works from four separate collections in her newest exhibition. It will be showcased at the Drawing…
A Natural Artist: Dee Ruff brings mosaic pieces to De Grazia
Growing up within the rolling hills of Laurel Highlands, Southwestern Pennsylvania, mosaic/mixed-media artist Dee Ruff has always been inspired by nature. The Tucson resident brings together color, texture, space and light, conveying her love of the natural world. She creates her contemporary abstract mosaic and mixed media artworks as Black Cat Mosaics. “I had horses…
Do the White Thing: Wadsack wants homebuyers to avoid ‘wrong’ neighborhoods
One of the truly sad realizations in my life is that critical, society-changing battles won, sometimes accomplished with the tragic loss of lives, don’t always stay won. There is backsliding and hedging, the changing of the meaning of words, and Universal Truths turn out to have been written on an Etch-a-Sketch. I was just a…
City Week: Week of Feb. 22, 2024
Xeriscaping 101 FEB. 24 Xeriscaping is landscaping to reduce water use, but deciding what to plant is just part of it. In xeriscaping, we lay out our gardens to take advantage of the natural flow of rainwater, and contour our ground to guide it where it will be most useful. Green Things was among organizations…
Comedy Calendar: Week of Feb. 22, 2024
Harambe Café 420 Indoor Consumption Lounge 6464 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson www.harambecafe.com 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, admission starts at $20 includes a complimentary dab bar and goodie bag, limited VIP seating available, $50, Darryl G. hosts “A Dab of Comedy,” with Dom DiTolla, Porkchop and Ozzy Moon Hotel Congress 311 E. Congress Street,…
Family Ties: Music unites the Wood brothers
Twenty years ago, brothers Oliver and Chris Wood shared a stage when Oliver’s band, King Johnson, opened a show for Chris’ acclaimed jazz-rooted group, Medeski Martin & Wood. Oliver sat in with Chris that evening and something magical happened. The brothers realized they still had a musical and personal connection and wanted to make music…
Comedy Calendar: Week of Feb, 15, 2024
Fox Tucson Theatre 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson www.foxtucson.com 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, free, Laurel and Hardy Silent Film Trio: “From Soup to Nuts,” “Two Tars” and “Liberty;” interludes from the period by Dave Wickerham on the Fox’s Wurlitzer organ. Laff’s Comedy Caffe 2900 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson www.laffstucson.com, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.…
Blossoming Creativity: Spring art scene showcases creativity and inspiration
As the saguaro and Palo Verde trees get ready to bloom, so too are the stages of Tucson flowering with a full garden of theater, music, dance and art. Tucson residents are offered an array of choices from the city’s major performing arts venues to small street-front theaters and galleries. Theater The spring theatrical season…
Defying Trends: Gary Allan is sticking to what he believes in
After his 2013 album “Set You Free” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, Gary Allan should have had it easy. And by all appearances, he would. The album’s first single “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” sold 2 million copies, topped the country charts, and earned the admiration of Maya Angelou. “There’s…
Alcohol vs. Cannabis: Why isn’t it socially acceptable to smoke in public?
A 2023 Gallup study found that most American adults consider cannabis to be less harmful than alcohol and cigarettes; 95% of adults found cigarettes to be the most harmful of the three, while 80% of adults chose alcohol as the most harmful. In terms of how cannabis is ranked, 58% of Americans consider it as…
Expressive Music: SaddleBrooke band presents ‘Images and Impressions
Music is an important way in which musicians can share their passion and enrich the lives of others. This is the case for members of the SaddleBrooke Winds and Strings concert band. The group will perform its next concert “Images and Impressions” on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the DesertView Performing Arts Center. The program features…
Mandy Patinkin Delivers: Star shares his love of music in ‘Being Alive’
Long before Mandy Patinkin was an Emmy-winning star, he established himself as a Tony-winning Broadway legend. He will celebrate what he adores the most about the arts during Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive, which comes to the Fox Tucson Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 18. “Oh, I love it there,” he said about Arizona. “I’ve…
Grevy’s zebra foal dies at Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo is mourning the loss of Grevy’s zebra foal Tikiti Maji. On Feb. 6, a gust of wind appeared to startle Tikiti’s mother, Anna. Anna abruptly moved into a different portion of the habitat, stopping at the wood-paneled fence. The foal was running alongside Anna and did not stop. Veterinary staff responded immediately…
City Week: Week of Feb. 15, 2024
Mural Painting and Buffelgrass Pull FEB. 22 Celebrate Save Our Saguaros month by helping to rid our desert of invasive buffelgrass. Buffelgrass aggressively consumes space and water that our landmark saguaros need to survive. The only way to get rid of it is to pull it out by hand. The event winds down with a…
Changes Afoot: Tucson Rodeo Parade switches its course
Officials have unveiled route changes for the 99th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade set for 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. This change — after 30 years — came after Union Pacific decided to no longer hold trains for the three hours required for the event. The new parade route will begin at South 12th Avenue and…
‘Snow’ Cool: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Crystal’ glides into Tucson Arena
Cirque du Soleil is known for pushing the boundaries of beauty, athleticism and art. With its show “Crystal” — which glides into Tucson Arena Thursday, Feb. 29, to Sunday, March 3 — the cast takes it a step further. The company’s first ice skating/acrobatic show tells the story of Crystal, a troubled teen who feels…
