Blastoff!
Science Saturdays
10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., Saturday, June 26
Pima Air and Space Museum
6000 E. Valencia Road
618-4819;
Can it be fun to learn about science? The Pima Air and Space Museum believes it can indeed be enjoyable, so the museum is hosting Science Saturdays, an event incorporating both fun and simple learning for children 8 and older.
Participants will be taught how to build flying seltzer and balloon rockets. It's not hard to do, according to the museum's Chris Welborn; the rockets take about 20 minutes to make.
Welborn, who has been working at the museum for about 13 years, teaches Science Saturdays.
"I take much joy in teaching the children Newton's Laws of Motion, and making their experience fun and enjoyable," Welborn said. "The class has had a pretty good turnout in the past, and the museum enjoys the class so much that they continue to bring the class back."
Parents who are concerned about the dangers of rockets can rest easy; building the rockets is a safe process, because Welborn does not use any types of dangerous chemicals. He simply uses Alka-Seltzer and water to make the rockets shoot into the air.
"Building the rocket does not put the children in any form of danger. Within the seven years of me teaching the class, there has not been one child who has been injured," Welborn said. "My goal is to make the children interested in the class, because if they are interested in what they are doing, I have done my job."
The classes will be held on June 26, July 24 and Aug. 28 in the Space Gallery. The class is free with paid admission to the museum (which costs from $8 to $13.25). —D.O.
Tweaked Classics
"Movie Spoof Spectacular, Part Deux: A 48-Hour Film Challenge Public Screening and Awards Extravaganza"
7 p.m., Tuesday, June 29
Loft Cinema
3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
795-0844;
All great films are worthy of a spoof—and the Loft Cinema is embracing this notion with its upcoming "Movie Spoof Spectacular, Part Deux," which features local filmmaker teams showing off their newly made short parodies of classic films.
Jeff Yanc, the Loft's program director, has high hopes for the event.
"It should be pretty great," he said. "We've got all sorts of contestants from the Pima (Community College film program), and also some students from the University of Arizona. In any case, these people are experienced with making films, and I am very excited to see what they come up with for the festival."
The contest was set up so that every team had only 48 hours earlier this month to complete, from start to finish, a four- to six-minute film parody. Any films that didn't meet the time requirement were immediately disqualified.
"They only have two days to write, shoot, edit and then render the DVDs," said Yanc. "It's exhausting, and the teams really have to work like crazy to get their films in on time."
Yanc mentioned several parodies about which he was particularly excited.
"There will be a Taxi Driver parody with a female lead," he said. "We also have a female Rambo in the contest ... (and) a version of Titanic that has been altered into a zombie film. Also, one of the films is made with the director's family, including kids, and they will ironically be showing a version of the ultra-violent Kill Bill."
Yanc noted that despite that director's inclusion of his family, much of the material shown will not be suitable for children.
The winner of the contest will get $500, with the audience favorite receiving $250.
Admission is $5. —A.L.
Culture Collision
"Art, Music and Salsa Under the Stars"
5 to 9 p.m., next Thursday, July 1
Gallery Row
3001 E. Skyline Drive
577-6301;
Imagine a night under the stars, with people enjoying art—and salsa dancing! That's exactly what will be happening next Thursday, when the art galleries at River Road and Campbell Avenue host "Art, Music and Salsa Under the Stars."
This Gallery Row celebration includes five different art galleries—Tansey Gallery, Madaras Gallery, Wilde Meyer Gallery, Steinway Piano Gallery and Details Art and Design—offering multiple works of art that can be viewed and purchased. Local artists will participate in the event, and the prices for their artwork run approximately from $500 to $20,000.
Each gallery has its own unique offerings, ranging from jewelry, contemporary works and Southwestern paintings to sculptures and pianos.
"This has been the first time we have done an event like this," explained Deborah Tansey, a co-creator of the event, "but we have done jewelry and art-demonstration shows in the past. We decided to do this summer event, because it was simple to create."
Attendees can also enjoy live piano music, thanks to Steinway Piano Gallery, as well as salsa lessons, which will be held at Madaras Gallery at 7 p.m., taught by ballroom-dance instructor Miro Tymosiak.
"Each gallery will have different types of art that will be sold," Tansey said. "We will also be hosting the same event Aug. 5, but we recommend people come out and have fun at this one."
Admission to "Art, Music and Salsa Under the Stars" is free, with complimentary valet parking. —D.O.
12 Years and Running (or, Rather, Dancing)
Tucson Lindy Hop
7 p.m., Saturday, June 26
Armory Park Center
220 S. Fifth Ave.
990-0834
Countless dances have entertained the masses over the years—like the hand jive, the cha cha, swing and today's cupid shuffle. (Don't pretend you haven't danced the cupid shuffle at least once.)
Then there's the Lindy hop.
Tucson's Lindy Hop Club has been keeping local dance-lovers entertained now for 12 years with their entertaining events featuring live music. The star dance at these events, of course, is the Lindy hop, a popular swing dance from the '40s that incorporates jazz, tap, breakaway and the Charleston.
What's that, you say—you don't know how to dance the Lindy hop? Well, you're in luck, because before the festivities begin, there will be lessons for people who are not familiar with the Lindy hop.
Alex Sanchez, a man behind the creation of the Tucson Lindy Hop Club, said that the Lindy hop is not necessarily easy.
"A lot of people like the Lindy hop because it is harder to learn, but the difficultly makes the dancers have a much better time," he explained.
The Lindy hop dance is an all-ages event—and people of all ages do attend.
"A few months back, there was this 90-year-old couple who came to the event and were having the time of their life," Sanchez said. "They approached me to inform me that it was the most fun they had in years."
Saturday's event begins at 7 p.m. with basic lessons; live music by the Kings of Pleasure and dancing starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. —D.O.
