The Skinny
THE BUCKS STOP HERE With Tucson City Council members Fred Ronstadt and Kathleen Dunbar poised to give up city dollars for their upcoming re-election runs in favor of private fund raising, Tucson’s program of publicly funded campaigns could be pretty well washed up. The program, approved by voters in the mid-’80s, was revolutionary for its…
Rhythm & Views
Diversity in heavy metal is not common. One band brave enough to break the mold is Boston’s Diecast. The group’s second release, Tearing Down Your Blue Skies, is a hardcore, melodic, mind-blowing listening experience. New vocalist Paul Stoddard helps the band’s sound evolve with a powerfully aggressive and melodic voice. A classic acoustic-guitar piece introduces…
The Range
A recap of last week’s news
Rhythm & Views
It mystifies me to think that the edgy torch songs of Shivaree–comprised of vocalist Ambrosia Parsley, guitarist Duke McVinnie and keyboardist Danny McGough–aren’t all over Hollywood. These Julie London-gets-Eurotrashed-in-Tom-Waits’-basement ballads are so addictive they could be used to bolster any smartly made film, and Parsley sure knows how to write an opening line. “New Casablanca”…
Media Watch
‘Rashomon’ goes to court
Rhythm & Views
When Robert Downey Jr. appeared on Ally McBeal, his singing performances at the local watering hole were just the sort of novelty his fans could appreciate–short, sometimes campy snippets that ranged from funny to heartfelt. Downey’s first album, however, falls short of re-creating that magic. Instead, Downey sounds like he’s straining his vocal chords to…
T Q&A
Tucson Q&A with Jay Rochlin
Top Ten in Music
CD City’s top sales for the week
Police Dispatch
For Whom the Bell Tolls East River and North Sabino Canyon roads, Dec. 29, 7:38 a.m. Someone twice climbed onto the roof of a Catholic church compound and up its steeple in order to ring the church bell in the middle of the night, a Pima County Sheriff’s Department report said. A woman residing at…
High Notes, Low Notes
The fiscally troubled Arizona Opera brings Mozart to town
Danehy
It’s a bleak day for us all, America
Pick
Democracy–Caught on Tape
Reality Removed
The current Invisible Theatre and Arizona Onstage productions are both enjoyable despite serious flaws
Tuttle
If you don’t think Tucson is a bifurcated city, go grocery shopping …
City Week
Big doings in Tucson this week.
Killer Performer
‘Chicago’ star Brenda Braxton doesn’t let all that touring jazz bring her down
Guest Commentary
Thanks for taking a bullet for Bush, red states!
Colored Crap
Except for the mediocre cinematography, aimless direction, lack of context, terrible acting and general pointlessness, ‘Elektra’ is super!
Top Ten in Books
Mostly Books best sellers for the week
A Day to Remember
A note from the editor.
Unnecessary Overtime
‘Coach Carter’ is a great 90-minute movie; too bad it’s 136 minutes long
Light in the Lost Barrio
Renowned muralist/public artist Gonzalo Espinosa opens the doors to his own gallery
Mailbag
Howls of outrage and squeals of delight from our astonished fans.
Now Showing at Home
“Metallica: Some Kind of Monster,” “The Fifth Element: Ultimate Edition,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Collector’s Edition,” and “King of the Hill: The Complete Third Season”
A Tale of Two Restaurants
ChopStix offers decent steam-table fare by day and delicious sit-down dinners by night
The Passion of the Critics
James DiGiovanna and Bob Grimm have a nice, quaint little chat about the movies from 2004
Top Ten in Movies
Casa Video’s top rentals for the week
Noshing Around
Take a Wok on the Southside Last month, Wok ‘n’ Sushi–a Mexican-inspired Mongolian stir fry and sushi bar–opened at 4802 S. Sixth Ave. This is Michael Lopez’ first foray into restaurant ownership, but he’s been in the food biz for years. Here, you can have white, brown and Spanish rice, and try the chili relleno…
The Critics List
James and Bob list the best, the worst, and others
Chica Caravan
Looking ahead to the Grammys, Tift Merritt is glad to be on tour with some other women
Surface Skimmer
Lawrence Cheek’s book about the tragic Navajo Long Walk is well-done–what there is of it
Queer Twist
The legislative effort to ban gay marriage peters out
Soundbites
CATCH THE WAVE Each year, there are dozens of albums released that never seem to attract the audience they deserve. Chalk it up to any number of reasons–the label didn’t back it financially; it’s a bit too esoteric for mass consumption–but just ask any true music fan what their favorite albums are from last year,…
Colorado Cash Flow
Putting a price tag on lost nature
Nine Questions
Faitha Lowe-Bailey
Buy Me Land, Lots of Land
Pima County’s fencing off more open space
Tip Toe Into Tucson
The legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo gets ready to release a new album
Canned Critic?
A former Pima County employee says he was fired because he spoke out
Live
Galactic Federation of Love, with Electroshockbox, Naim Amor and The Sweat Band, Club Congress, Wednesday, Jan. 12
