Tucson Does Warhol—Differently
Premiere of Lonesome Cowgirls
7 p.m., next Thursday, Oct. 14
Loft Cinema
3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
795-0844;
Tucson met Andy Warhol 42 years ago, when he rolled into our dusty town to make Lonesome Cowboys, a satirical film mocking the Western genre.
In more recent times, a group of Tucson artists and musicians has come together to create a truly Tucsonan film, Lonesome Cowgirls. Headed by Megan Amber Cox, of the Parasol Project, and French-born musician Marianne Dissard, the film is a "bawdy reimagination" of the original and was made to accompany Dissard's new album, L'Abandon.
"There were a lot of synchronistic events and a lot of serendipity that led her (Dissard) to bring this Warhol idea and the idea for the album together," Cox explained. "... We just really clicked, and it turned out I knew all the kinds of people who needed to be cast in this movie. She also needed support in making the movie, so I helped her script it; we scripted it together."
The entire film was shot in less than 24 hours at Cowtown Keeylocko, which is about 40 minutes outside of town, and it includes appearances by members of Flam Chen and Powhaus Productions. Dissard's album, which is the score for the piece, includes the musical stylings of Gabriel Sullivan, Brian Lopez, Salvador Duran, Sergio Mendoza and others.
The film, much like Warhol's original, is an experimental art film and doesn't follow a traditional narrative arc.
Cox explained: "If you really want to understand the narrative, you have to watch it a couple of times, because it's not built to be a narrative piece—but there's a story in there."
Tickets cost $7 for Loft members and $8 for nonmembers. A Q&A session and behind-the-scene clips will accompany the film. —E.B.
Celebrating a Silver Anniversary With Cold Pizza
Christine Lavin in concert
7 p.m., tonight, Thursday, Oct. 7
Old Town Artisans
201 N. Court Ave.
319-9966;
Christine Lavin has a new concert and new book—what better way to celebrate 25 years of singing, songwriting and entertaining as a multi-award-winning contemporary folk artist.
The release of her new book, Cold Pizza for Breakfast: A Mem-wha?? coincides with her tour, My 25th Anniversary Concert: What Was I (EVER!) Thinking? in which Lavin reprises past hits alongside current favorites.
"A lot of my friends have been telling me for years that I should go back and look at some of my early songs and start doing them again in concert," said Lavin. "And after 25 years, I have to admit: I have some funny songs that a lot of people have never heard, so why not revisit them?"
The second half will include mostly new material, a lot of it not even recorded yet. The first half of the concert will consist of Lavin's older songs.
"I wrote a song prior to Prince Charles' wedding, telling him not to marry Diana, because it wasn't going to work," Lavin said. "For obvious reasons, I stopped doing it, but enough time has gone by that I can sing it now."
Lavin will also share a little bit about her book—and she said she has a few surprises in store during the show, too.
Looking back on the last 25 years, Lavin said one of her greatest memories—actually, it's an ongoing "memory"—involves getting hate mail from gun owners who dislike her song "More Than 1,000,000 Americans," which concerns the number of people killed in the country by guns.
"I always write back to them: 'I just give statistics and ask questions in this song. Don't shoot the messenger,'" she said.
Tickets are $20 in advance, or $23 at the door. —K.M.
Animals Onstage!
Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13
Berger Performing Arts Center
1200 W. Speedway Blvd.
(800) 595-4849;
Cats jumping! Dogs walking on two legs! Comedy and juggling skills! That's what Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is all about.
Gregory Popovich, the winner of international circus competitions, made his way from Russia to the United States 20 years ago, before launching his Comedy Pet Theater.
"I grew up with multiple pets, and I know how to deal with animals, so I thought about how to use pets in my show," said Popovich. "Many of my American friends told me to visit animal shelters, where I could find dogs and cats for adoption."
And that's what he did: Popovich's dogs and cats have all been rescued from animal shelters and transformed into performers, and the Comedy Pet Theater is their second chance to have a great life doing things that they enjoy.
Popovich said he has mastered the training of his animals through positive reinforcement.
"Dogs have lots of energy, and will work for the treats," said Popovich. "Cats, on the other hand, just do what they like to do. Based upon their personality, I have to find out what they like and do differently, in order to train them."
Working with more than 16 cats and 12 dogs might seem a bit overwhelming, but Popovich said he never gets them mixed up or confused. "They each have their own personality; they are part of our family, and therefore, we treat them like family."
The show, which Popovich emphasizes is for all ages, is here in Tucson for the first time, for one night only. Tickets are $14 for children 12 and younger, and $19.50 to $22.50 for adults. Visit www.tix.com, or call the number above for tickets. —K.M.
Local Musicians for Local Kids
Camp Wildcat benefit concert
6:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 10
Club Congress
311 E. Congress St.
622-8848;
It isn't very often that you find a great music show that is both 1) cheap, and 2) important to improving the lives of Tucson youth.
The Camp Wildcat benefit concert is aimed at furthering the efforts of the University of Arizona student-run nonprofit organization that offers camping, day trips and other events for disadvantaged youth in our community, as well as mock camps in the University Medical Center pediatric wards.
According to the Camp Wildcat website, the group's goal is to "portray college as an attainable goal for everyone."
Northern California's Coyote Grace is set to join local greats Leila Lopez and Seashell Radio, who are donating their talent for the all-ages concert.
Adria Brooks, vice-chair of the Camp Wildcat board, put together the concert. "I have seen all three of them perform before ... And I love all of their work individually," Brooks said.
The benefit concert is one of two fundraisers that Camp Wildcat has traditionally done during the academic year. The 45-year-old organization relies heavily on fundraising to keep the cost of its events and trips free for all students who participate. A silent auction is usually held in the spring, while the concert is held in the fall.
This year, due to changes in the organization's policies, a lot more funding will be necessary, which has prompted them to also sponsor a 5k run event.
Admission is $8 in advance, or $12 on the day of the show. Visit the above websites for more information. —E.B.
