Thursday 27
REAL DEAL. Don Berry was a boy when he decided he was an artist--and he's never pursued another path.
Over time, he realized that there is really no separation between his life and his art. The works of art are merely evidence of a creative, conscious lifestyle. He has also discovered, like the great impressionist master Monet, that one need look no further than one's immediate surroundings for subject matter and inspiration.
Berry's exhibit, Dreamscapes, Yardscapes and the Real Tucson, is a beautiful example of that. Muse follows a highly successful Suzanne Klotz exhibition with recent works on paper and canvas by Berry, a Tucson native.
In his work he has become both representational and expressionist in style, with roots in impressionism and abstract expressionism. His years in graphic design and illustration lend clarity and a sense of story to the mix, adding up to a vision of life that is intensely personal.
Take a peek at Berry's art through January 4 at Muse, 516 N. Fifth Ave. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call 903-0918 or visit www.musetucson.org.
Friday 28
FLY WITH ANGELS. Original art from throughout Latin America and the Caribbean reflects one gallery's belief that "it is through art that one knows a country and her people."
La Sirena's holiday show, Angels Bring Joy and Gifts, features artists' interpretations of angels. It continues through January 6.
The gallery also has one-of-a-kind sculptures, ceramics, jewelry and accents for the home and office.
Check out this little slice of heaven at 2905 E. Broadway Blvd., west of Country Club on the north side of Broadway. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment. For more information, call 319-1262 or e-mail mcteach@mindspring.com.
ROADS LESS TRAVELED. A world-traveling author with a gift for entertaining children, Rita Golden Gelman embarked on adventures at the age of 48, when her marriage fell apart and she made a couple of changes in her life.
Nothing drastic; she just sold all her possessions and took off to see the world. Fifteen years later, Gelman's still without a permanent home. Not that she minds, mind you.
Meet this fascinating woman tonight as she reads from her newest book, Tales of a Female Nomad.
The autobiographical story explains how Gelman was able to create a spectacular life filled with interesting people and enlightening experiences. Buy the book, get it signed and read more about how she was resolved to learn about cultures by sleeping with natives in huts, cement block houses and mountain cabins.
The author of more than 70 children's books, including the first-grade staple More Spaghetti, I Say!, Gelman has lived in Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, Bali, New Guinea, Israel, Nicaragua, Thailand and New Zealand.
Her new book includes details of getting by on scant funds and getting by without modern conveniences.
Gelman's talk begins at 7 tonight at Reader's Oasis, 3400 E. Speedway, Suite 114. For more information, call 319-7887.
Saturday 29
DANCE, DANCE DANCE. Dancers from over 50 tribes will be moving and grooving this weekend at Rillito Raceway.
The Indian America Indian Craft Market and International Day Pow Wow is four days of traditional munchies, authentic Indian arts and crafts and children's activities. A birds of prey exhibit, drum contest and pow wow contest round out the weekend event.
The event takes place today through Tuesday at Rillito Raceway Park at River Road and First Avenue. Admission costs $7, which includes a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. For more information, call 622-4900 or visit www.usaindianinfo.org.
MAKE A FACE. Get a jump on your resolutions for 2002 with some shamanic help.
Shamanic arts classes may help you bring in the New Year in a brand new light. From 10 a.m. to noon learn about Living in Natural Time, which will present new ways to look at time.
A class called Magical Masks, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., lets you create a mask for the new year. Something to bring into, or let go of, in your life.
Donations are accepted at the door. The event takes place at the Institute for the Shamanic Arts, 388 S. Stone Ave. For more information, call 954-2004.
GO NORTH, TO PRESCOTT AND FLAGSTAFF. Enjoy some true holiday temps and check out a couple of beautiful events in Arizona's high country.
Wait a couple more days and you'll miss Prescott Valley's Valley of Lights, an animated wonderland of lights around Fain Park. Drive the one-mile loop starting with a lighted entry arch and see large-scale stunning displays--Old Glory with fire bursts, Santa and sleigh, a snowflake tunnel of lights, peace-on-Earth dove, Christmas train and more.
The event, from 6 p.m. to midnight through Sunday, is free but donations are accepted. For more information, call 928-772-8857.
You've got a bit longer--until January 20--to see Flagstaff's Holiday Lights Festival, featuring 1 million lights--that's 1,000,000 bright spots on 500 acres of pine forest at Little America Hotel. For more information, call 800-435-2493.
Sunday 30
CLEANING HOUSE. The start of a new year is a pretty big deal in Japan.
Preparations are made to ensure a prosperous future by cleaning house, paying old debts and cooking up traditional foods.
Learn more about the Japanese way of doing things on the holiday by visiting the Tucson Children's Museum, where you'll get a chance to make origami, practice Japanese writing and pound rice for mochi.
The event is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. today at the museum, 200 S. Sixth Ave. Admission costs $5.50 adults, $4.50 seniors and $3.50 children. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 792-9985, ext. 112.
Monday 31
STAGED JUST FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE. Avoid Tucson's festive crowds and take in the final performance of a play about a nun's antics on New Year's Eve.
Bisbee Repertory's First Night is a two-person tour de force starring Carlene Ballard and Lugh. Carlene plays a possibly soon-to-be-ex-nun who returns to her home town on New Year's Eve to fan the spark of a romance begun in grade school.
First Night winds up tonight, starting at 7:30 at Bisbee Repertory Theatre, 94 Main St. in Old Bisbee. For more information, call 520-432-3786. Advance tickets cost $10 at Atalanta's Music & Books and the Chamber of Commerce in Bisbee. Tickets cost $12 at the door for adults and $5 for students.
KEEP TUCSON CLEAN? Tucson enters a worldwide event tonight and if were a competition, it would get its ass kicked.
It's called The Rio Nuevo First Run and it's being billed as a Race to Keep Our City Clean.
I'm sorry, but it seems to me that this run, at least the first year, should be aimed at cleaning up the city of Tucson. Needs a little work south of River Road. Every vacant lot in this town looks like a landfill.
Of course, the owners of most of those lots--no doubt living high above the plastic bag fray--are working on it, trying to fill those crap-littered lots with much-needed Walgreens, Taco Bells and Circle Ks.
I'm not bitter. As I said, this is just my opinion and opinions are like, well, you know.
And before you start whining about how unfair I'm being to the Old (and neglected) Pueblo, please note that this is the second mention made of First Run in this issue.
Why? Because I care, damn it. (Plus, I really needed City Week copy.)
Derisive commentary aside, the race is a great alternative to getting falling-down drunk on New Year's Eve. Tucson Clean and Beautiful sponsors the event, centered on a 1-mile fun walk and 5K race, which will take place in the heart of downtown. In addition to the running and walking events, there will be costume contests, food and entertainment.
Registration starts at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Convention Center. The "last walk" starts at 8:15, followed by a wheelchair 5K at 8:45 and the "first run" at 9 p.m. Door prizes and awards at 10. For more information, call 791-3109.
Tuesday 01
CAPPING OFF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. Get one last taste of the holidays today at Old Tucson Studios.
Winter West Fest: An Old Time Christmas celebrates the season with live shows, old-fashioned carolers, community choirs, shopping and food.
Throughout the park, guests can experience elaborate lighting displays in Old Tucson Studios' 1800s version of a winter wonderland. Attractions will be operating. Additional attractions include a children's Candy Cane Lane, Jingle Bell Parade, tree-lighting ceremony, horse-drawn hayrides and holiday treats.
The end of the event is from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today. Tickets cost $14.95 adults, $9.45 kids 4 to 11 and free for kids 3 and under. For more information, call 883-0100.
HOTEL ART. Enjoy the beautiful work of a local artist at Hotel Congress.
OK. So maybe today's not the best day to check it out, considering that New Year's Eve's probably still going strong at this hip hangout. And there's all that football to be had.
You're off the hook today, but you owe it to yourself to see the exhibition of Matt Cohen's paintings in the hotel's gallery, which is presented in association with the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Having received his master's at the University of Arizona, Cotten has won numerous awards and sponsorships. Presently of Tucson Puppetworks fame, Cotten resides and works in Tucson.
The exhibition runs through January 18. Hotel Congress is located at 311 E. Congress St. For more information, call 624-5019.
Wednesday 02
ONE CLASSY LADY. Folk art like you would not believe.
An exhibit at the Sosa-Carrillo-Frémont House Museum features traditional and contemporary images of the religious folk symbol of the Southwest and Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Guadalupe runs through January 31 at the museum, which is located in the Tucson Convention Center complex, between the music hall and the arena. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. For more information, call 622-0956.
BRIGHT LIGHTS, NEAR THE CITY. Few things are as refreshing as an evening under the stars.
Wednesday evenings at the Sabino Canyon are all about the heavens.
Free from artificial light, enjoy the beauty of the canyon while enjoying the company of kindred spirits. Disconnect from the electronic world and reconnect with nature in the presence of the darkened Catalina Cathedral.
Comfortable shoes are a must; this is a 7.5-mile round trip with a 600-foot elevation change. The hikes, sponsored by the Sierra Club, are free.
The hikes begin at 6 p.m. every Wednesday, starting at the visitors' center ramada. For more information, call 577-2444 after 1 p.m..
