Ladies' Day and Night
Keepin' It Classy: The Annual Meow Mixx Pool Party
3 to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 28
RiverPark Inn
350 S. Freeway Blvd.
882-0242
Strut your stuff in a teeny bikini; watch local performers; and get your groove on at a pool party this Saturday.
Meow Mixx, a local group that hosts events for "ladies who like ladies" and friends, is having its annual pool party—and it promises to be a fun way to beat the Tucson heat.
The group, which is made up of female go-go dancers who are "super sexy and fun," will perform at the party, along with hip-hop troupe the Human Project. Jaime J, who is an upcoming performer in Tucson, will show off his unique blend of gymnastics and lip-syncing, and DJ Raw-B will provide music that's impossible not to bust a move to, said Rachel Castillo, media coordinator of Fluxx Productions.
There will be drinks, food and plenty of pool toys. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own pool noodles and floaties. The party lasts until 10 p.m., so you have all day to stop by and kick back, Castillo said.
"It will be a lot of fun in the sun ... and we go into the night," Castillo said. "We have the pool all to ourselves."
While Meow Mixx is made up of females, and the event "is predominantly a ladies' pool party," guys are more than welcome to join in the festivities, Castillo said.
Meow Mixx has existed in Tucson for years and was taken over by Fluxx Productions, a company that hosts a variety of local queer events and parties, a few months ago. Fluxx Productions also recently merged with Tucson LGBT film festival Out in the Desert, and has an art studio and gallery located at 414 E. Ninth St.
Admission is $10 at the door; rooms at RiverPark Inn are $52. —H.M.
Curious About Curiosity?
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 28
UA Kuiper Space Sciences Building
1629 E. University Blvd.
621-4861
On Saturday, enjoy a day filled with science activities for the whole family and learn about the new rover Curiosity, slated to land on Mars in August.
NASA's Curiosity was launched on Nov. 26, 2011, and is expected to land on Mars on Aug. 5. During the two-year mission, Curiosity will use a variety of instruments to analyze soils and water to determine if the conditions are favorable for life.
"This rover is much larger, has a totally different way of landing, and will be able to go much farther than the other rovers," said Maria Schuchardt, program coordinator at the UA's Lunar and Planetary Lab, which is partnering with NASA on the project. "The feature of putting this rover on Mars is pretty phenomenal, and it's just always nice to be able to celebrate these great advances in science."
The Saturday event will include displays of information about Mars, along with fun games and activities for the kids.
"We try to inspire kids to want to learn more about science, and to show them that it can be fun," said Schuchardt.
Three lecturers will be on hand to discuss different aspects of Mars. Veronica Bray is an associate staff scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Lab, and she'll be talking about the formation of the Gale crater on Mars—which is where the rover will be landing. The Gale crater was formed by a meteor, and Bray will take the audience through the process of the impact.
"I find it all very interesting, because no matter how many times we fail or crash things into Mars, is it very cool, and I hope this event makes people want to learn more about craters and Mars," said Bray.
The event is free. —R.C.
Popcorn, Flicks and PBR
Dive-In Movie Night
6:30 to 11 p.m., Sunday, July 29
228 N. Fourth Ave.
325-9145
Casa Libre en la Solana will hold one of its Dive-In Movie Nights fundraisers this Sunday.
Dive-In Movie Nights play on the classic drive-in movie setting—except patrons can watch '80s double-features from the comfort of their own floatie, or dive in and enjoy the swimming pool on the Casa Libre property. There is also all the popcorn you can eat, donated by Casa Video, and all the Pabst Blue Ribbon beer you can (responsibly) drink.
Casa Libre is a safe haven for writers, professional and amateur, where they can enhance their skills through workshops, classes and readings. There formerly was a self-directed residency program, which offered writers a chance to work in private suites; however, the program is suspended for the time being.
The first showing of Dive-In Movie Nights, on June 17, was a success. People were seen floating around the pool, reciting their favorite movie lines and joking with each other, said Kristen Nelson, executive director of Casa Libre.
The original second showing, on July 15, was cancelled due to monsoon rainstorms. Another Dive-In event is slated for Aug. 12.
As for the movies, the online schedule does not say exactly what movies will be playing. Instead, the titles of the movies are replaced with "punny" translations of the films' plots to challenge attendees to guess what shows they'll be watching.
Patrons are encouraged to bring a towel and are welcome to bring their own food and beverages.
Attendance is $12, and proceeds go to Casa Libre en la Solana. Dive-In Movie Nights are 21-and-older events. —S.V.
Talents of Tucson's Youth
Tucson Jazz Institute Showcase
7 p.m., Friday, July 27
Sheraton Hotel and Suites
5151 E Grant Road
971-6694
In celebration of the impending end of summer vacation, the Tucson Jazz Institute will hold its July showcase, featuring the skills of middle and high school students who have been studying their craft all summer.
The Tucson Jazz Institute is part of the Tucson Community Music School, a nonprofit organization that provides classes for young students who want to learn jazz and classical music.
Participants in the showcase will be performing in big bands, jazz combos and jazz choirs. The music performed by the big bands includes pieces from Count Basie, Buddy Rich and Duke Ellington. As for the jazz combos, the students will play all-American songs, from standard American compositions to works by greats like Frank Sinatra.
"I feel good about it. The kids love the chance to play. There are going to be 20 students who've never played jazz before, and all of them will have a chance to play a solo," said Scott Black, one of the directors. "It's a new experience for some of them, and there's anxiety sometimes. But it's educational and good for the students' confidence."
During the summer program at the Tucson Community Music School, around 100 students usually enroll, and 80 percent perform in the showcases. During the school year, the attendance doubles.
The money made from this show will go toward providing scholarships for students who are interested in participating in the programs at Tucson Community Music School. The scholarships cover some or most of the tuition to attend the school.
Admission is a suggested donation of $5. —S.V.
