First and Last Day in Business
Pop Up Shop clothing/jewelry sale and event
11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21
Eric Firestone Exhibition and Event Space
403 N. Sixth Ave.
882-2616
The holidays are here, so it's time to push through the crowds and find your loved ones gifts that they will actually appreciate. (You can get yourself something, too, as a reward for your time and effort.)
Where to begin? For starters, retailer Paula Taylor and jewelry designer Tasha Sabatino this Saturday will open the Pop Up Shop at the new Eric Firestone Gallery downtown. There will be vintage and designer clothing, one-of-a-kind jewelry and shoes—all available for one day only.
"We've been dreaming about doing this for about a year," says Taylor. "It'll be a great little fashion and shopping day."
Browse items on the racks—which will start at $10 and go up into the pricier-designer range—as models roam the area in styled looks. Champagne and wine will be offered, too. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Museum of Contemporary Art; there will even be a special rack of clothes with all of the proceeds going to MOCA. Taylor and Sabatino are supporters of the arts, and Sabatino says they wanted to benefit the community beyond just spreading fashion.
The two decided to collaborate on the Pop Up Shop because their different styles complement one another. They've been collecting pieces for years from around the world.
"She does the couture vintage looks, and I do the downtown-y, fun vintage stuff," says Sabatino.
The vintage clothes come from the 1930s through the 1980s; various designer labels will also be available.
"We hope to have a range, something for everyone," says Taylor.
The event is free, and donations to MOCA will be accepted. —A.P.
Adam and Eve Come to Life
Milton Marathon
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20
Special Collections Room C205
UA Main Library
1510 E. University Blvd.
621-1836
When UA English professor John Ulreich organized a small reading of Paradise Lost 12 years ago, he didn't think much of it. However, a group of his students asked him to do the reading again the following year—and that led to the birth of an oral tradition right here in Tucson.
The Milton Marathon lives on as a 12-hour continuous reading of the 12 books that make up John Milton's 17th-century epic poem about the fall of man.
Even the most avid Milton enthusiast would get winded after reading too much blank-verse poetry aloud. Which is why Ulreich, who specializes in Renaissance prose and poetry, passes reading privileges around the room for those who wish to participate.
Ulreich says that the community experience of the reading leads to a heightened appreciation for what he calls the great epic poem of the English language.
"Poetry, in general, is meant to be heard, not seen," says Ulreich.
UA sophomore and English major Amber Bailey is helping organize this year's event.
"I think it's easier to feel the emotion and the meaning behind the words (as they're read aloud), and it invokes feelings I think you wouldn't recognize unless it was aloud," she says. "It just feels right."
Ulreich offers extra credit for his students who read, but anyone is welcome. He says that folks can sit in for a brief time or be immersed in original sin for the entire day.
After teaching Milton-focused classes and moderating 12 years of readings, does Ulreich know the poem by heart?
"I read through parts of this poem all the time, but to hear the whole thing every year has really helped me remember," he says.
The event is free. —E.N.
A Rare Sound
Aeolian Skinner pipe-organ recital
3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 22
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
602 N. Wilmot Road
A warning to those who seek luxury outerwear: Although "Aeolian Skinner" might sound like the title of a person who deals in zebra throws and mink coats, it's not.
It is the name of an organ company—and if you like the organ sound, you are in for a treat.
Aeolian Skinner is a classic American pipe-organ company, and St. Michael's houses an Aeolian Skinner Opus 1352 that was originally built in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1959.
The company is now out of business, and the Aeolian Skinner organ is considered a rarity.
"They mostly have now been destroyed," says Ken Kelley, sub dean of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Kelley says that the average organ lasts for about 40 years, after which it usually needs major repairs. In 2004, the organ in Tucson was restored and enlarged to include 64 stops.
"When it is top-quality, then it really pays to restore it," says Kelley.
Even with the modern updates, this type of organ has a sound and range audibly different from the instruments that are made today. Kelley says that the "quality of sound is meant for 19th-century Romantic-era music."
Four featured performers will show what they can do with the old-world instrument. Two of the performers—Matt Whitehouse and Shinji Inagi—will play several of their own compositions. Both are UA graduates and doctoral candidates.
Also performing are Norene Walters, the organist at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, and Marilyn Van Roekel, organist at Casas Adobes Congregational Church-United Church of Christ.
The concert is free. —E.N.
Beat the Hustle and Bustle
TMA Holiday Craft Market
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Nov. 22
Tucson Museum of Art
140 N. Main Ave.
624-2333;
For the hopeless procrastinator, holiday shopping can consist of elbowing old ladies on Christmas Eve in search of a mall-brand bargain sweater. An activity that should be jolly can easily become frightening.
But Meredith Hayes says holiday shopping doesn't have to be like that.
Hayes is the director of public relations and marketing at the Tucson Museum of Art, which has put on a Holiday Craft Market in its lobby and courtyards for the last 27 years.
So, take your pick: Dive into mall madness, or take a downtown stroll to music compliments of the Tucson Kitchen Musicians—with a pause at the beer garden? (Boozers, take note: The beer garden in La Casa Cordova courtyard will only be open Saturday and Sunday.)
This fair is also an opportunity to help out Southern Arizona artists who are selling their handmade pottery, textiles, jewelry and paintings galore.
"This is a fun way to buy local," she says. "It is extremely important to support local artists, local movies, local restaurants—everything."
Though Hayes says she does not like to play favorites with the artists, she is excited about the many new faces among the participating artists this year.
Hayes says that the offerings are both high-quality and unique. Take, for example, the designs of craft market veteran Dirk Arnold, who builds models of endangered Tucson architecture—buildings that everybody knows.
Attendees can also look for this year's installment of El Nacimiento, a traditional nativity scene, and the current museum exhibition, Ansel Adams: A Legacy, which includes 112 original prints.
The event is free, as is admission to the museum for the three days. —E.N.
