Cover Story
No Strings Attached: XIXA pushes musical boundaries for ‘XOLO’
As solo artists, XIXA’s Brian López and Gabriel Sullivan lived in Nantes, France, and encountered Royal de Luxe’s giant marionettes. They told the story of a young girl, Arcoiris, and her cosmic canine companion, El Xolo, as they traverse through the underworld of Mictlán. The duo spun that into “XOLO,” a concept record that hits…
Black Cake Framework and hard-won wisdom
Rhonesha Blaché’s presence is commanding. She often dresses in vibrant hues—yellows and reds—mixing and matching symbolic colors of heritage and culture in a fetching street symphony, bold yet never overstated. She moves effortlessly—metaphorically and literally—between a South Phoenix community, where she grew up, and the wider world: Germany, Africa, the Caribbean, New York City, Tucson…
TENWEST 2025: Keeping up with trends and creative practices
Keep up with the latest in business trends and creative practices while looking to the future at Tucson’s TENWEST 2025, the Old Pueblo’s answer to SXSW. From March 25 to March 30, speakers, panels and special guest Guy Raz, host of “How I Built This,” will explain “cutting-edge thought leadership In technology, entrepreneurship and creativity…
Too Long in Oolong?: ‘Steep’ into sweetness at Boba Cucue
Boba Cucue isn’t exactly like a visit to Japan, but it has a Tokyo vibe. Thanks to owner Sharon Walker, Boba Cuecu has been open for just over a year, featuring pink walls, neon lights, and oversized decorations. Its signature drink blends Hong Kong and Taiwan flavors with tapioca pearls (or boba) at the bottom…
Smoking Good Time: Buds-A-Palooza returns April 11
Buds-A-Palooza is preparing to spark up excitement on April 11 as the award-winning festival rolls into Downtown Phoenix. The fourth annual festival will take place over six square blocks near Sixth and Garfield streets in Roosevelt Row from 2 to 10 p.m. This year’s event, presented by Trulieve and Bud’s Glass Joint, features a…
Family Legacy: Damaged by microburst, Caruso’s plans to open soon
Caruso’s is undergoing repairs after its 104-year-old building sustained damage from a microburst. However, restaurant executives are shooting to have limited service this weekend for the annual Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair. “No promises, we have a lot to overcome by then,” said Ande Motzkin, vice president and general manager. Ande Motzkin, said she and…
Flavorful Festival: Tour Mexico without leaving Tucson
James Beard-nominated chef Jose Contreras enjoys birria, despite the time and number of ingredients it takes to prepare. “I mix it with burros and enchiladas, birria enchiladas,” said Contreras, who owns Amelia’s Mexican Kitchens. “I think it’s one of my best flavors.” Contreras is one of more than 30 chefs who will prepare a dish…
City Week: Week of March 20, 2025
“Oracle Road / Historic Route 80, Oro Valley’s Main Street” SATURDAYS UNTIL APRIL 26 See how historic Route 80 went from accommodating stagecoaches and cattle drives to the six-lane road travelers use every day. Tours are self-guided, with docents available for free, with donations accepted. Shop at the Heirloom Farmers Market and then take a…
Her Wildest Dreams: Karla Bonoff is self-proclaimed ‘Swiftie’
Karla Bonoff has had a charmed career. Her songs have been covered by the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd and Lynn Anderson. Still, there’s another woman she admires. “I’m a ‘Swiftie,’” the 72-year-old Santa Monica native said with a laugh. “She seems so nice, available and genuine. She’s really able to enjoy…
Review: Action-comedy ‘Novocaine’ is mostly pain-free fun
As Patrick Swayze famously said in the 1989 classic “Road House,” pain don’t hurt. The new action-comedy “Novocaine” takes that mantra literally as a banker with a resistance to pain finds himself on a rescue mission after his crush is kidnapped in a robbery. Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, “Novocaine” is the latest…
Chipmaker TSMC Arizona Becomes Central Hub in Apple’s $500 Billion Investment Strategy
TSMC Arizona’s facilities have emerged as a crucial element in Apple’s $500 billion plan to invest in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. In February, the tech giant, a subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, announced it would allocate substantial resources to TSMC’s Phoenix manufacturing complex, part of a strategy expected to create 20,000 research and development jobs…
