Cover Story
Soul Strip
One by one, bodies cram into Fourth Avenue’s favorite dive bar, the Surly Wench, and wait, beer (or fireball shot) in hand, for the ladies to take the stage.
Best of Tucson® Voting Ends Next Week: 1,603 of You Haven’t Finished Your Ballots
It always seems to happen so quickly: The final round of Best of Tucson® is about to come to a close. Have you voted? Are you sure? Best of Tucson is a long survey, we know, so we try to help you out. You can save your ballot and come back to it, no problem.…
Cinema Clips: The Secret Life of Pets
A bunch of comedians lend their voices to some cartoon characters, and the results are moderately entertaining—hey, it’s not a ringing endorsement, but this is good for a laugh or two, and the occasional whacked-out moment that qualifies it as a semi-original animated movie. OK, still not a ringing endorsement. Louis C.K. voices Max, a…
Saturday Sun Link Shindig: Free Rides, Concert and Activities
Celebrate Sun Link’s second anniversary this Saturday. The streetcar is offering free rides all day this Saturday, July 23 sponsored by Tucson Electric Power, Fourth Avenue Merchants Association and Main Gate Square. KXCI and Main Gate Square are also offering a free concert with Jimmy Carr and the Awkward Moments. At 6 p.m. board the…
Conversation with Jeff Mixon of Black Lives Matter in Cuyahoga County
This is a conversation I had today (Wednesday, July 20) with Jeff Mixon, director of a group called “Black Lives Matter” in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Mixon’s group does not appear to be affiliated with the national group. Jeff has an interesting perspective and I was happy to hear what he had to say about what’s…
The Men’s Room Barbershop Gets a Rude Awakening
Omar Ramos, owner of the Men’s Room Barbershop (2523 N. Campbell Ave.) had just started his first haircut of the day on Tuesday, July 12, when he was abruptly interrupted by a car crashing through the front of his shop. “I had heard the screeching of brakes so I went to the window to check it out,” Ramos…
Ducey ‘Next Step’ Watch: 2 Month Anniversary
Two months ago when Prop 123 passed, Governor Ducey said we had taken a “first step” toward addressing Arizona’s chronic underfunding of K-12 education. Everyone acknowledged it was a shaky, uncertain step. Some were pleased to see what they thought was a wobbly step forward by the young ‘un, while others thought it was a dangerous…
New Findings in a ‘Living River’ says Recently Released Report
Living River, a report newly released by Pima County and the Sonoran Institute, reveals that upgrades to water reclamation centers have improved the water quality and surrounding natural environments of the Lower Santa Cruz River. The EPA-funded report has been tracking changing conditions in this part of the river from Oct. 1, 2014 to Sept.…
Full Conversation with Morris Pearl of Patriotic Millionaires
Join us for a short conversation with Morris Pearl, chair of a group called Patriotic Millionaires. Morris used to work for the powerful financial monolith Blackrock, a topic we touch on lightly. His current fixation is on taking the money out of politics. Seriously. Patriotic Millionaires are interested in aligning the interests of millionaires with…
Turkey’s Failed Coup Attempt: The Charter School Connection
Some members of Turkey’s military attempted a coup last week and failed. Game over? Not quite. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is arresting thousands of people who he says were connected to the coup. And he’s asking the U.S. to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen who lives in Pennsylvania and has a strong following here and…
Sounds From Day One of the Republican National Convention
All these recordings were done Monday, July 18 at the GOP Convention in Cleveland :: These recordings were done all over downtown. A guide to what you’re hearing: Intro music (street performers) Bryan intro Ms. Montani Sosha Chris from Minnesota Morris Pearl of Patriotic Millionares Trolls on Bullhorns @ Public Square Pauline from Cleveland Guy with…
Win Tickets to ‘In My Life: A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles’
Come and Get It: Next Thursday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. the Fox Theatre (17 W. Congress St.) is screening In My Life: A Musical Theatre Tribute and we’re giving out tickets to the event. In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles is an award winning, smash hit musical biography of the…
Beat the Summer Heat and Swim for Free
The heat may seem unbearable as Tucson experiences one of its hottest summers on record, but the City of Tucson has taken note and is offering kids a chance to swim for free the rest of the summer. Tucson Parks and Recreations has granted youth 17 and under free admission at 17 city pools in…
The Verdict is in and the Show Will Go On
In a proclamation worthy of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, the Arizona Theatre Company Board of Trustees has announced in a release that fundraising efforts to save the 2016-17 season has succeeded, and the 50th Anniversary season will indeed launch with Kind Charles III as previously scheduled. Arizona audiences will have their shows, and ATC…
Another Look at TUSD Salary Hikes and Prop 123
A few weeks ago I wrote a post trying to sort out what looked like contradictory information about the amount of Prop 123 money TUSD devoted to teacher salary raises. An article in the Star made it look like TUSD devoted far less of the new funding to increasing teacher salaries—about a third of the money,…
Obama Administration Asks Supreme Court to Rehear Lawsuit On Immigration Relief Programs for Undocumented Parents, Youth
The Obama administration wants the U.S. Supreme Court to rehear a lawsuit involving two immigration relief programs for undocumented parents and youth. Last month, the court issued a disappointing 4-4 decision in a challenge to President Barack Obama’s 2014 immigration actions. With a split decision, an extension to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals—which grants DREAMers…
Why Go to the GOP Convention?
I am writing this as we drive into Cleveland on a dark, damp Monday morning. Photographer Jimi Giannatti and I are two of the thousands of people descending upon Cleveland in time for the first day of the Republican National Convention. Later this week, reality TV personality and real estate salesman Donald Trump is expected…
Jellybean Needs a Home
Hi I’m Jellybean! I’m a 1.5 year old little girl who needs a home. I play well with other dogs, but don’t forget that if you have a current dog in your home that you need to bring them to the shelter to do a meet and greet! The Humane Society of Southern Arizona wants…
Cinema Clips: Wiener-Dog
While this isn’t one of Todd Solondz’s best movies, Wiener-Dog does have some moments that are among his best. The movie follows the life of a wiener dog as it passes from owner to owner, resulting in four separate stories. Story number one involves a child cancer survivor, Remi (Keaton Nigel Cooke) receiving the dog…
Zona Politics: Matt Heinz, Victoria Steele and Steve Christy Talk About Their 2016 Campaigns
July 17th, 2016 from Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel on Vimeo. On this week’s episode of Zona Politics with Jim Nintzel: Victoria Steele and Matt Heinz, the two Democrats who are facing off in the August primary to determine who will face Republican Congresswoman Martha McSally in November, talk about why they should be the…
Rogue’s Tales of the Jazz Age
Experience romance and disillusion in the atmosphere of a 1920s dance by heading over to the Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd, to watch a live production of Tales of the Jazz Age this weekend. Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story, the show is a collaboration between the Rogue Theatre and Artificial Dance Project. …
The Democratic Party’s Progressive Education Platform
In 2008 I supported Obama’s primary bid, but I wrote at the time that Hillary Clinton’s statement on education was more progressive and creative than Obama’s. Unfortunately, as president, Obama has held true to his timid campaign statements on education and adopted a less-than-progressive educational agenda. With his appointment of Arnie Duncan as Secretary of…
Casa Video Top 10
This list is 90 percent made up of movies that have already been in the Casa Video Top 10 in recent weeks but, hey, maybe you missed the memo last time. The 10 most popular movies at Casa Video last week were: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Kung Fu Panda 3 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2…
New Study Points Out Just How Poorly Pop Culture Portrays Characters With Disabilities
Remember last year when Emma Stone was cast as a Hawaiian character and movie lovers everywhere had to come to terms with Hollywood’s history of whitewashing? Well, get ready for round two because the Ruderman Family Foundation just released a study, The Ruderman White Paper: Employment of Actors with Disabilities in Television, about the poor representation…
The Skinny
It was another wack week with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump continuing to divide a party he is supposed to be leading.
Bachata Nights
Spend your Friday night on the dance floor.
Where the Magic Happens
Wear the kids out with a night of laughter and magic at the All-Ages Comedy and Magic Show
Reveling in Rain
The Day Before Raices Taller’s annual monsoon show opened, a real chubasco drenched Tucson, showering the city with more rain than it had seen on one day in 118 years.
Pleasure Activist
Sometimes, there’s just no avoiding it.
Waxing Poetic on a Changing World
The UA Poetry Center will host poet and geographer Eric Magrane in a discussion on poetry and climate change.
Police Dispatch
An extraordinarily trusting Tucson woman put a lot of time, effort and money into trying to purchase a puppy through eBay, only to apparently become the victim of a ridiculously long-running, intricate and disturbing scam.
Control Freak: Gatecreeper
Gatecreeper’s upcoming record, Sonoran Depravation, which will be released on Relapse Records this fall, is brutal, intense and possibly the best death metal album to ever be recorded in the Old Pueblo.<
B-Sides: Good Is Good
Back again for another night of live local music in the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art’s Great Hall, you’ll want to stop in for the Good is Good showcase at the museum.
Free Kyle Catlin
Suson Catlin has been letters to the Governor’s Office hoping someone out there will help get her 27-year-old son, Kyle, out of prison—where he’s been since mid-January
Cultivate and Create: Marley B
The single word Marley B chose as the title of his debut solo album carries a host of meanings.
Editor’s Note
Now we live in a world where everyone has to face the reality that’s existed for different communities for decades.
An Actor Prepares
The Rogue Actor’s Laboratory will showcase its newest actor training programming.
T Q&A
In a first for the UA, graduate students Ian Ellasante and Mel Ferrara have been named Point Scholars for their work in scholarship and advocacy for the LGBTQ community and beyond.
Solo Exhibition
Visit Tiny Town Gallery for Adam Gilliland’s solo exhibition “Vitiligo.”
B-Sides: ON AN ON
ON AN ON fans will want to head to Club Congress (311 E. Congress St.) on Tuesday.
Dust Devil
I have grandbirds!!
Civil Action
Members of Tucson’s black community met with high-ranking officials within the Tucson Police Department and Pima County Sheriff’s department to discuss their relationship following the deaths of five Dallas police officers the day before.
B-Sides: Yoni & Geti
If you haven’t been following Chicago alternative hip-hop artist Serengeti through his many collaborations and side projects, it’s time to pay attention.
Creature Feature
The Secret Life of Pets is good for a laugh or two, and the occasional wacked-out moment that qualifies it as a semi-original animated movie.
Seaside Rendezvous: El Berraco
One of the first things, aside from the unique appearance, you’ll notice about El Berraco is the service. Arguably some of the best in town, the staff is fast, helpful, friendly and attentive.
Curtain Call
How could it have come to this?
Pocketbook Politics
The campaign for a ballot initiative to increase Arizona’s minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020 submitted more than 217,000 signatures to state officials on Thursday, July 7.
