Things to Do, Tuesday, Jan. 21
Delighting audiences for six decades—with vivid costumes, traditional dance styles and music that showcases the diversity of the Mexican culture—the world renowned Ballet Folclórico Nacional de México perform at the Fox Theatre… For kids of all ages. “Move your feet to the beat” and sing along to fantastically light-hearted songs. From Minneapolis, comedic dance-pop duo…
Things to Do, Monday, Jan. 20
Mother Road Brewing at Tap & Bottle. To celebrate the new year, Tap & Bottle’s downtown location is hosting a variety of Mother Road Brewing’s beers on tap: the 8th Anniversary Doppelbock, Sunday Drive Lager, Tower Station IPA and Lost Highway Black IPA. In addition, Pop’s Hot Chicken Food Truck will be serving up food…
Things to do, This Weekend, Jan. 17-19
Pucks for Paws. Are you ever watching a live hockey game and thinking, “This is fun, but I just really wish my dog could be here, because that would make it so much better”? Of course you are! So thank goodness the Humane Society is hosting this opportunity to bring your favorite canine to the…
Where to Rock, This Weekend, Jan. 17-19
Friday, Jan. 17 A central figure in Cuban music, bandleader Juan de Marcos González—whose oeuvre includes the Buena Vista Social Club, Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Sierra Maestra and others—has been on a mission to demonstrate to the world the wealth, diversity and vitality of Cuban music for the past three decades. The Afro-Cuban All Stars…
Results-Based Funding: A Tale Of Two Districts And a Charter Chain
If Doug Ducey bragged about adding $70 per student to the K-12 education budget, the news would be received with yawns from the vaguely interested and howls of outrage from people who know Arizona needs to add a thousand dollars per student to reach Mississippi funding levels, two thousand to reach Arkansas and three thousand to…
Laughing Stock: The Sound of Music
Comedy so outsider it’s insider Neil Hamburger is an awful comedian. His affect is palpably awkward. A Sartorial disaster, his clothes look like Goodwill rejects from the sixties. His hair needs a hot bath. His singing is like Leonard Cohen’s as it might sound in The Upside Down, which is to say it’s near perfect…
Things to Do, Thursday, Jan. 16
Mineral Madness. This event up at the Desert Museum is the perfect way to whet your appetite for the big Tucson Gem and Mineral Show that is coming up. Or, if you’re looking for something a little less overwhelming (and, in many cases, cheaper prices), this might even be a good alternative. Check out rock-bottom…
Where to Rock, Thursday, Jan. 16
Widely regarded as one of the finest soul, funk and R&B bands in the world, snippets of their songs have been repurposed by the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Nas, TLC and many others making them the 15th most sampled act in music history. From Scotland, the Average White Band “Cut the Cake.” At the Fox…
Sheriff ID deceased driver in police chase
According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, 52-year-old Brian Hieb died at the scene of a collision on North La Cañada and West Emerine Drive after fleeing from a traffic stop Tuesday night. Around 9:46 p.m. the night of Jan. 14, sheriff’s deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop at La Cañada Drive and West…
Claytoon of the Day: Fun With White People
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Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick Says She’s Taking Leave of Office To Enter Alcohol Recovery Treatment
Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick announced today she was taking a leave of absence from the office to enter treatment for alcohol addiction. “Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence,” said Kirkpatrick in a prepared statement. Kirkpatrick, 69, said the decision was precipitated by a…
Bonnie Schock Named Executive Director At Fox Theatre
Hailing from the Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts in Red Wing, Minnesota, Bonnie Schock was selected to lead the Fox Theatre. She will begin her tenure March 9, 2020. Schock said she is delighted and honored to join the Fox Theatre, built in 1930 in downtown Tucson. “I believe in the performing arts as a…
Things to Do, Wednesday, Jan. 15
Wine Dinner at Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Romano’s is toasting the new year by reimagining some of their most beloved dishes in a four-course meal, each dish paired with an international wine. Courses include toasted cheese ravioli or formaggio garlic bruschetta, paired with Chloe Rose; roasted rosemary potato soup or arugula caprese salad paired with Benziger…
Dem Mark Kelly Continues To Dominate Sen. Martha McSally on Fundraising Front
Democratic challenger Mark Kelly continues to outraise Republican Sen. Martha McSally in what’s sure to be one of the most competitive U.S. Senate races in the country. Kelly announced today that he’d raised $6.3 million in fourth quarter of 2019, bringing his total haul for 2019 to more than $20 million. Meanwhile, McSally boasted that…
Ducey Promises More Ed Funding, Highway Work in State of the State Address
Today Arizona Governor Doug Ducey gave his sixth State of the State address in Tucson, highlighting priorities for the new year, including funds for education, job training and broadband connectivity, closure of the state’s largest and oldest prison, and calling out Tucson’s failed sanctuary city initiative. Dozens of tables filled up at the Tucson Convention…
Things to Do, Tuesday, Jan. 14
The Play that Goes Wrong. This play-within-a-play starts with the audience seeing a backstage staff dealing with several mishaps, including a missing dog and a broken mantelpiece. Then you watch it go downhill from there with the cast members of a small theater company forgetting their lines, breaking character and being unconscious. It’s been called…
La Cholla Boulevard Closing Between Lambert and Overton
Beginning at 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, North La Cholla Boulevard will be completely closed between West Lambert Lane and West Overton Road in order to allow construction crews and heavy equipment to operate safely as they work on widening the road to four lanes. Town staff expect the closure to last for almost…
Adoptable Pets: Cleopatra Needs a Home
“Hello! My name is Cleopatra and I’m a 4 year old girl who is very curious and loves to explore. I love being with my people, and have gotten along well with other pets as well. I like playing with toys and scratching on my scratching post. Please stop by and say hello to me…
Things to do, Monday, Jan. 13
Across The Waters. It is 1943 in Copenhagen, and a jazz musician realizes he must save his family from encroaching Nazis by fleeing on small fishing boats. But this involves putting their lives in the hands of strangers who may or may not have the best intentions. This 2016 Danish drama is based on real…
Irene’s Donuts closing in February
On Friday, Jan. 10, Irene’s Donuts announced that their final day open would be Sunday, Feb. 23. The 4th Ave. donut shop only opened in March 2019, taking the place of Can’s Deli, and U.S. Fries before that, at the 340 N. 4th Ave. location. “Due to circumstances beyond our control we will be closing our…
Soul Box Project Honors Those Affected by Gun Violence
“If you could save a life by folding two pieces of paper together, would you do it?” That’s the question asked by the Soul Box Project, a Portland-based gun safety advocate group that travels across the country, giving communities an artistic view of those affected by gun violence. The project was at the Joel D.…
Support Your Miss Rodeo Arizona Queen This Saturday
The Miss Rodeo Arizona Pageant has been around for over 60 years selecting rodeo queens to represent communities throughout the state and promote rodeos and the western way of life. This year’s queen for 2020 is Shelby Williams, a Pima Community College student and graduate of Marana High School. On Saturday, Jan. 11, Williams will…
Picks of the Dragon: Playoff Predictions
It was a weekend of voodoo curses and dynasties dying but somehow I managed to get ahead, going 3 out of 4 on the picks. It would appear I forgot that the Saints are cursed in the post-season and Kirk Cousins was really liking it. Otherwise we are on pace for a great post-season sitting…
Things to Do, This Weekend, Jan. 10 – 12
Ninth Annual Tucson Fringe Festival. Three cheers for this very Tucson festival, which provides avant-garde and nontraditional performing artists a chance to perform in a low-risk, low-cost setting. AND which provides non-artists like us a chance to take it all in. This year, there are more than 50 shows spread across four days. There’s dance,…
Where to Rock This Weekend, Jan. 10 – 12
Friday, Jan. 10 “Born Under a Bad Sign?” Well, Maybe not. This child prodigy took up the oboe, saxophone, trombone, double bass and piano as a schoolboy and his signature instrument, organ, while putting in time at church. He went onto become a key figure in the development of Memphis soul—recording timeless soul classics as…
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero Joins Mayors Against Illegal Guns Organization
Mayor Regina Romero today signed on with Mayors Against Illegal Guns and announced the creation of the Mayor’s Task Force on Gun Safety and Violence Prevention at a City Hall press conference. “It is important that we stand in solidarity with mayors across the country to show that in absence of state and federal action,…
Claytoon of the Day: Trust-Fund Royalty
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Community of hope
In honor of Christina-Taylor’s life and a commemoration of the ninth anniversary of the shooting, local schools are hosting an event on Friday, Jan. 10, in conjunction with Stars of HOPE, an international arts program that seeks to help communities heal after tragedy.
Pocketbook Politics
On Wednesday, Jan. 1, Arizona’s minimum wage increased to $12 an hour. This increase is the continuing result of Prop 206 passed in November 2016, which increased the state’s minimum wage to $10.50 per hour at the beginning of 2018 and $11 per hour at the beginning of 2019.
The Skinny
Here’s how the 2020 election is shaping up for Pima County Supervisors.
Danehy
Things I learned over Christmas Break:
They’re Back!
With the holidays in the rearview mirror, Arizona’s naughty 90 are headed back to the Capitol for what they hope will be a quick legislative session.
Gain Over
Even when he’s not playing World of Warcraft for an audience of several thousand dedicated internet fans, Tucsonan Josh Lujan still treats his body like he’s a character in a roleplaying game.
Quick Bites
The best culinary adventures Tucson has to offer this week.
City Week
Events to fill out your week!
Volatile Beauty
When Selena Littler was 9 years old, she was let loose in the high desert north of the Catalinas. It was 1968, the year of rebellion, and a bunch of Tucson artists, her father, Charles Littler, included, had decamped from the city to the desert.
Into the Trenches
1917 stands as a worthy and late addition to my Top 10 for 2019, which was published last week.
Reel Indie
Don’t miss the fun happening at your local indie theaters this week.
Guitar, Solo
The last time Johnny A.performed in Tucson, he played guitar in the Yardbirds. He’s returning to town as a solo performer, but that’s not to say he’ll be alone on stage. The “Just Me… And My Guitars” tour features Johnny A. covering a wide range of classic British songs from the ’60s, performed with his…
XOXO
Music to load your calendar
Nine Years Later
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nine years since those gunshots rang out on a clear Saturday morning in Tucson, taking six lives and forever changing many others. This week, associate editor Jeff Gardner writes about how the friends of the youngest victim of the shooting, 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, are honoring her in the…
Police Dispatch
A volatile University of Arizona student used an offensive rap composition as a coping mechanism to deal with being dumped by his “girlfriend” of two weeks, though he seemed eager to show he cared more about a T-shirt than the breakup, according to a UA Police Department report.
Moving Targets
This is not your typical “Where were you when the shooting happened” article. Rather, we’re asking, “What’s been done to stop gun violence nationally, and in Arizona, since the shooting happened?”
