Tucson Weekly 01/19/2023

Blowing into town

JANUARY 21 SHOW 8:00PM

FEBRUARY 18 SHOW 8:00PM

JANUARY 28

24

ADMINISTRATION

Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher

Michael Hiatt, Vice President

Tyler Vondrak, Associate Publisher, tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Claudine Sowards, Accounting, claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com

BLOWING INTO TOWN PAUL REISER GETTING SECOND WIND ON ‘STRANGER THINGS’

10

EDITORIAL

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Executive Editor, christina@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Hope Peters, Staff Reporter, hpeter@timespublications.com

Katya Mendoza, Staff Reporter, kmendoza@timespublications.com

Karen Schaffner, Staff Reporter, kschaffner@timespublications.com

Contributors: Brian Box Brown, Rob Brezsny, Tom Danehy, Connor Dziawura, Clay Jones, Laura Latzko, Andy Mosier, Dan Perkins, Linda Ray, Bridgette M. Redman, Will Shortz, Jen Sorensen

PRODUCTION

Shannon Mead, Production/Design Supervisor, smead@timespublications.com

Tonya Mildenberg, Graphic Designer, tmildenberg@timespublications.com

CIRCULATION

Aaron Kolodny, Circulation Director, aaron@phoenix.org

Brian Juhl, Distribution Manager, brian@timeslocalmedia.com

ADVERTISING

TLMSales@TucsonLocalMedia.com

Gary Tackett, Account Executive, gtackett@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Kristin Chester, Account Executive, kristin@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Candace Murray, Account Executive, candace@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Leah Pittman, Account Executive, lpittman@timespublications.com

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising Zac@timespublications.com

DANEHY

LET’S TALK ABOUT SAD RADIO

By Tom Danehy Tucson Weekly Columnist

Back in the early days of “Saturday Night Live,” comic/writer Buck Henry (he co-wrote “The Graduate” and, along with Mel Brooks, created “Get Smart”) did a oneman skit where he played a morning drive-time radio host of a political talk radio program.

He started off his show by saying something like, “Today, we’re going to talk about the municipal bonds that are being floated in hopes of funding infrastructure projects. Just give me a call at 555-TALK and let me know what you think about them.”

After several seconds of awkward silence, he says, “C’mon Folks, what do you think of the bonds and/or the proposed projects? Do we need these new roads? How are we going to pay for them down the road (so to speak)? Just give us a call.”

Nobody calls and the silence is deafening. This goes on for a couple more

rounds until he finally says, “OK, let’s just make this an open phone lines day. What’s on your mind? Give us a call and we’ll talk about it on the air.”

Still nothing, so, approaching panic stage, he starts spiraling. Still no calls. Finally, at the end of the skit, he is screaming, “That’s right! I believe that all Catholic nuns are really Communist prostitutes who secretly work for space aliens who are living among us! What is your take on that?”

The skit ends in excruciating silence.

I’ve been thinking about that lately as I listen to KNST Radio’s lineup of rightwing talkers. After what had to have been a brutal midterm election last November, they’re flailing. They’re going to have to fill an entire year with word product until the election year of 2024.

Oh, they were all full of themselves leading up to the election. “We (30 percent) are going to take our country back!” But then the predicted Red Wave

turned into a trickle, and in some places became the Chicago River, flowing backward.

They were able to fill the remainder of November and most of December with Tired Trump Talk of stolen elections and fraud and deceit. But these days, they probably wince at having to bring up the name of Kari Lake, who had the Arizona governorship handed to her on a silver platter, but then alienated the less-crazy voters she needed to get her across the finish line because they refused to live down to her brand of hatefilled nonsense.

A couple weeks back, it was actually interesting to witness the schism in the right-wing talkers’ world. The national afternoon talkers — Sean Hannity and Mark Levin — were all in on Kevin McCarthy becoming speaker of the house. Their support was of the hold your nose and vote variety, but they wanted to get McCarthy in the speakership so they could start going after Hunter Biden’s laptop.

(If I ever meet Mark Levin, I’m going to intentionally mispronounce his last name so that it will rhyme with “seven.” I’m sorry, you can’t expect to be taken seriously as a national commentator if you intentionally mispronounce the name of the vice president of the United States, no matter how much you despise him/her.)

The local guy, however, was dead set against McCarthy. He railed against him incessantly…until McCarthy was finally elected and then the talker moved on. Another thing came to mind the other day when I heard the new head of the Pima County Republican Party on the radio. Back in the torrid political days of the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was the Los Angeles Free Press. Its overall edginess and leftward editorial slant were enormously popular. (The paper’s political cartoonist was Ron Cobb, who would later create the creature in the movie “Alien.”)

It burned brightly for a moment but then became the ultimate example of the saying “when zealots form a firing squad, they assemble in a circle.” There were repeated purges in the editorial room along political, and then radical, lines. In the end, about all that was left were Black Communist lesbians, meaning that the paper’s audience was…Angela Davis.

In these parts, after Lake blew an easily winnable race for governor, Blake Masters Trumped himself into an ass-whuppin’ at the hands of Mark Kelly for U.S. senator, bizarro Mark Finchem got crushed in the secretary of state race, and anchor baby Abe Hamadeh lost the attorney general race, you

BUYING OLD TOYS

CURRENTS

HOBBS TALKS EDUCATION AND WATER PROTECTION

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Local Media

Arizona’s governor-elect Katie Hobbs presented an encore state of the state address at the Tucson Convention Center, Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Hobbs outlined her top priorities including investment in public education, lowering costs, securing the state’s water future and tackling the affordable housing crisis.

“The people of Arizona have directed us to find solutions to these issues,” Hobbs said.

A self-proclaimed believer in the “power of prosperity,” Hobbs said her administration was committed to building a thriving and dynamic foundation for businesses and the people who make them run, also noting cutting edge companies moving to the state, offering healthy business environments and a top-tier workforce. “Companies have record job openings but far too many Arizona residents can’t afford increased rent,” she said.

The governor also called out the state’s failure to adequately invest in public education, which has resulted in high teacher vacancy rates. “One in four teachers leave Arizona schools each year, the highest rate in the nation,” she said, calling the state’s problem not with K through 12 schools, but a “retention crisis.”

Hobbs called upon legislators to override the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, which limits how much K-12 schools are allowed to spend annually.

In response, Hobbs stated that she will launch an education retention task force to develop a framework and make recommendations to improve class sizes, resources, working conditions and other factors that would put the state’s education system on a path toward finding solutions and retaining educa-

tors.

Addressing Arizona’s per-pupil funding approach, Hobbs said that her tentative budget will redirect $68.6 million to all schools across the state, also asking for transparency of schools that accept public dollars by participating in the auditor general’s annual school district spending report.

Hobbs mentioned the overwhelming caseload of school counselors throughout the state, who provide services for over 700 kids on average. “That is the highest ratio in the nation and nearly three times the recommended standard,” she said. “We must do better.”

The governor also called for investment in state community colleges and dual enrollment programs statewide to offer students opportunities to earn college credits or get a good paying job and the expansion of the Arizona Promise Scholarship program, which made college more affordable for over 4,000 families last year. Hobbs proposes an additional funding capacity for over 10,000 students and allocating $40 million to create a Promise for DREAMers Scholarship program.

“We need to work together to ensure Arizona’s higher education opportunities are the best in the nation and put individuals on the path to future prosperity,” Hobbs said, taking the opportunity to state the flip side of prosperity is the high cost of housing.

The Hobbs administration shared its support for the $150 million investment into the Housing Trust Fund as well as signing an executive order reinstating Community Council on Homelessness and Housing, which coordinates state and local agencies and helps identify solutions for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing affordability as well as offering sup-

port to those struggling with the rising costs of everyday items and services.

Hobbs’ budget also sets aside $50 million for a state-level, child tax credit

for families who earn less than $40,000 a year to help pay for basic necessities and exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from the state’s sales tax.

“These everyday items add up and we can and should help provide this relief to individuals and families who too often must choose between paying their bills or paying for the things they need to be healthy,” Hobbs said.

Hobbs, whose stance on immigration includes working with local law enforcement, nonprofits and community leaders, has also invited Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to visit the border and meet with community leaders.

In addition to protecting reproductive freedom for her constituents, Hobbs shared that her budget would match the federal Title X money

ARIZONA GOV. KATIE HOBBS PRESENTED AN ENCORE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON TUESDAY, JAN 10, AT THE TUCSON CONVENTION CENTER.

(KEVIN VAN RENSSELAER/TUCSON METRO CHAMBER/CONTRIBUTOR)

CURRENTS

PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE PLANS THIRD CASINO

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Weekly Staff

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe plans to build a third casino near West Grant Road and Interstate 10 following federal approval of the “Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act.”

Known as H.R. 4881, the bill places the culturally significant land known as “Old Pascua” into trust for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law Dec. 27.

The “compact-designated area” of approximately 30 acres, includes the area south of West Grant Road, east of Interstate 10, north of West Calle Adelanto and west of North 15th Avenue in Tucson, according to the bipartisan-backed bill.

It was first introduced by Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D) in July 2021, before passing through Congress toward the end of 2021 and unanimously through the Senate on Dec. 19, 2022.

Sacred and ceremonial grounds that have belonged to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe since 1921, include the adobe chapel at the west end of the Pascua Cultural Plaza as well as the abandoned Century Park 16 movie theater, a prospective location for the third casino.

“The department of the interior still needs to take the land into trust, a process that could take six to 12 months,” said Kim Van Amburg, chief executive officer of Casino Del Sol.

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe owns and operates two casinos, Casino Del Sol and Casino of the Sun; a potential third casino would create approximately 500 to

600 jobs and invigorate the intersection, Van Amburg said.

“To have a casino at Grant and I-10, close to central Tucson (and) a lot of people is going to be a game changer for the tribe and also a benefit to that intersection in terms of the vibrancy of it,”

Van Amburg said.

“That piece of property where the church is at, I think, was set aside a long time ago by our ancestors and started doing ceremonies there for hundreds of years,” said Pascua Yaqui Chairman Peter Yucupicio, who was born and raised in the Old Pascua area.

Yucupicio said that Yaquis from many different communities visit the church property to practice their faith and culture.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to continue working together, providing not only for Yaqui but for a lot of members that live in the west side or in Tucson to come help us build their economic base,” Yucupicio said.

Alfred Urbina, attorney general for the

Your

that the state receives to provide reproductive health services and family planning medication, about $12 million to impact low-income women.

The governor brought home her speech regarding the protection of the state’s most precious resource, being water and how bipartisan solutions are crucial.

Earlier this month, the Colorado River Tier 2 mandatory water cuts went into effect, reducing Arizona’s water allotment by about 21% this year.

“This should be a wake-up call for all of us,” Hobbs said. Arizona will face the largest cut, 592,000 acre-feet of water.

Hobbs plans to reestablish the Governor’s Energy Office and relaunch the Governor’s Office of Resiliency to focus on water, energy and land-use solutions. Additionally, the office will collaborate with local organizations, tribal governments, universities and various state departments.

Pascua Yaqui Tribe, has worked with the tribal council on the “gaming compact” that flows from the Indian Gaming Regulation Act 1988. That lays out how the state of Arizona and tribes in Arizona will work out how Indian gaming will occur in the state. It also identifies how many table games, slot machines or casinos that each tribe has.

“Gov. (Doug) Ducey initiated these compact negotiations in 2016 and it took us until 2021 as a group of tribes, the governor and Arizona legislative body to work out this compact,” Urbina said.

While tribal members look forward to the potential economic development, Urbina said that the church prioritizes it, culture, language and preservation of the community.

“It’s almost like a restoration or a renaissance, now that we have an opportunity to go back and protect some of our churches and communities and provide either jobs (or) housing,” Urban said.

The administration also plans to issue an executive order to launch the Governor’s Water Policy Council to “modernize and expand” the Arizona Groundwater Management Act, Hobbs said. Her budget, which was released Friday, Jan. 13, included “targeted investments” such as a one-time $333 million general fund deposit into the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund and other investments spanning across fiscal years 2024 to 2025.

Hobbs hopes to allocate funds to rural communities to set up Active Management Areas, a program to help “balance” and recharge the state’s water table.

“These challenges will not be easy,” Hobbs said. “Nor will the other issues we need to confront, including fixing prisons, improving accessibility for all Arizonans, lowering childcare costs, supporting veterans, protecting older and vulnerable Arizonans and so much more.”

Hobbs’ budget can be found at azgovernor.gov

CHAIRMAN OF THE PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE, PETER YUCUPICIO, AND ALFRED URBINA, ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE, AT THE CASINO DEL SOL. (KATYA MENDOZA/STAFF)

‘SWITCH CITY’ TEEN PROGRAM

City of Tucson Parks and Recreation is hosting a Nintendo tournament starting in February. Call now to reserve space at any center. The tournament has separate competitions for ages 12 to 14 and ages 15 to 17. Contestants in all centers play the same games at the same time. Winners of each round move to another center for the next month’s game. The top two competitors in each age division win prizes. Call the prior month to reserve a space in each month’s event.

Various times, dates and locations vary, tucsonaz.gov/parks/teenprograms, see the website for details.

TUCSON FRINGE FESTIVAL

Across four Downtown venues and a streaming channel, 20 curated acts feature engaging, idiosyncratic and altogether extraordinary performances from between the cracks of familiar genres. Forty shows all together take place at The Screening Room, The Temple of Music and Art, the Steinfeld Warehouse and the Tucson Circus Academy. Intriguing titles include “Mafia Anonymous: The Women Speak,” “Unicorns: Are They Pretty?,” “Soul Searching in Sin City” and “The Singularity of the Machine,” featuring aerialists and acrobats. Noon Thursday, Jan. 19 through 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, multiple times and locations, tucsonfringe.org, $12 each show, $20 two-show pass, $50 five-show pass

BROADWAY IN TUCSON: ‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’

Atticus Finch is today as meaningful a role model as when “To Kill a Mockingbird” was published in 1960. In the atomized culture of our times, Finch illuminates an ideal of mindful compassion and measured reasoning. Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book has never been out of print, and Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation is said to have filled every Broadway theater it’s been staged in. Rolling Stone characterized it as “an emotionally shattering landmark production.”

Various times through Sunday, Jan. 22, Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard, broadwayintucson.com, tickets start at $50

by Linda Ray

CURIOUS CONVERSATIONS, INSPIRED BY TAIKO

THE MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL ON TOUR

We hope you are discovering the great jazz all over town during the Tucson Jazz Festival, which continues through Sunday, Jan. 22. Reservations and details for the remaining artists’ shows are at tucsonjazzfestival.org. If you can squeeze in just one more, though, we recommend the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour. The Monterey festival is, of course, the gold standard. The Fox show features vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, who’s earned a Grand Slam of music awards, along with Grammy-winning vocalist Kurt Elling and a rising star of jazz saxophone Lakecia Benjamin. The Monterey Jazz Festival launched its Tour program on the institution’s 50th anniversary to share the “artistry and energy” of the live festival with the world.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street foxtucson.com, tickets start at $50

SKI THE LEMMON!

Mount Lemmon Ski Valley opened for skiing and snowboarding on Jan. 5. Even if you don’t ski, though, you can appreciate the view from the ski lift and hike Mount Lemmon’s many trails. Or you can just enjoy a scenic drive up to Ski Valley Restaurant, The Cookie Cottage or the Mount Lemmon General Store and Fudge Shop. If you’re ambitious, you can build a snowman in your truck bed, and bring it back to show off in any shopping center parking lot.

8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday to Monday, Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, 10300 Ski Run Road, skithelemmon.com, full-day lift tickets start at $69, ski rentals available.

LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP: ‘STONES IN HIS POCKETS’

Hilarity binds two local Irishmen working as extras in a Hollywood film, but an unexpected loss requires empathy and a rallying of good spirits. The Guardian describes the play, by Belfast writer Marie Jones, as “magical” and “a moving and heartfelt tribute to the imaginative power of live performance.” Directed by Rhonda Hallquist, this production stars Keith Wick as Charlie and Stephen Frankenfield as Jake.

Various days and times Thursday through Sunday, through Saturday, Feb. 18, Live Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road, livetheatreworkshop. org, tickets start at $23

When awarded an Arizona Commission on the Arts Artist Research and Development Grant, Karen Falkenstrom said, “I have always emphasized to our students and our audiences that taiko is not just hitting a drum with a stick.” Founder and developer of Odaiko Sonora, she also serves as its lead drum builder. She has studied taiko for more than 30 years with internationally known scholars and teachers. Her presentation will demonstrate taiko’s visceral magic and inform our understanding of it.

1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, foxtucson.com, free, also available on Zoom

‘WATER HARVESTING: AN INVITATION TO ABUNDANCE’

Water conservation evangelist Brad Lancaster, and his work developing model projects in the Dunbar/Spring neighborhood, are the subject of this inspiring film produced by Arizona Public Media. A panel discussion follows with Lancaster, the film’s producer David Fenster and Tohono Chul Arts & Engagement Director James Schaub. Representatives of Watershed Management Group and Arizona Project WET will be on hand to discuss their conservation services. Snacks and a cash bar will be available.

5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, Garden Pavilion, Tohono Chul Park, 7366 Paseo del Norte, tohonochul.org, free, but advance registration is required

THE MAVERICK’S 60 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Tucson’s favorite cowboy bar celebrates its 60th anniversary as the “King of Clubs” with a night of music featuring Virgin Records Nashville recording artist Chris Cagle and special guest Chauncey Jones. The club promises prizes, giveaways and drink specials, and the first 100 guests get a free commemorative T-shirt.

6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, The Maverick, 6622 E. Tanque Verde Road, tucsonmaverick.com, free admission.

LIEDER AND BEETHOVEN’S NINTH

LAUGHING STOCK

PAUL REISER GETTING SECOND WIND ON ‘STRANGER THINGS’

By Linda Ray Tucson Weekly Columnist

Dr. Sam Owens, in season two, episode four of “Stranger Things,” says, “For better or worse, I’m the schmuck they brought in to make things better.”

We’ve been stuck on the “Stranger Things” Wiki ever since we learned that actor, author, musician and Comedy Central top 100 standup comic Paul Reiser is coming to The Rialto Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 4. Tickets are at ticketmaster.com.

Reiser plays Owens. The winner of 12 primetime Emmys, it’s Netflix’s biggest series of all time. The show’s auteurs, The Duffer Brothers (Matt and John)

created Owens’ character especially for Reiser. He’s performed in 19 episodes over the years, many in just the last season. The series will conclude in 2024 with the release of season five.

Reiser already had earned his bona fides as a veteran TV actor and writer. He co-wrote and co-starred with Helen Hunt in the ’90s sitcom “Mad About You.” Limning the joys and travails of a married life in New York City, the series ran from 1992 to 1999 and won all the awards: Emmy, Peabody and Golden Globe. All seven seasons are still on Amazon Prime.

He’s also won accolades and awards

for a dozen other television shows and feature films he’s co-written, co-produced or performed supporting roles in, including “Diner,” “Alien,” “Whiplash,” “The Kominsky Method” and “Beverly Hills Cop” both I and II.

We could go on, but he started as a standup comedian, he’s still a standup comedian and he will be a standup comedian on Feb. 4 at the Rialto.

“I always tell people this, there are very few things that you can do in your 60s that are close to how you did them when you were 10, and standup is really one of the only ones,” he told Forbes.

Born and raised in New York City, Reiser was attracted to Greenwich Village clubs where he saw George Carlin, Robert Klein and David Steinberg among many others. He started performing at The Improv and Comic Strip during summer breaks from college.

Reiser’s noted that despite, or perhaps because of, all the potential DIY and

your family, my family, my incompetence, your incompetence, how we’re getting older, and then let’s go home. Comedy has an extra appeal to it that I don’t remember being there years ago.”

And as for the impact of “cancel culture” he told the New York Times, “I never understand people who say, ‘You couldn’t make that joke anymore. I go, ‘Why would you want to? How much do you want to make a joke?’ It’s kind of not cool and insensitive.”

It’s almost as if he’s been brought in to make things better.

ests. He said Carson specifically loved and supported comics. The hard part, he told Awardsdaily, was getting good enough to be on his show. “If you got Johnny’s stamp of approval, you were off and running,” he said.

FELIPE ESPARZA AT DIAMOND CENTER

Even in the virtual world, he said, “If you’re good, if you have something new to add to the conversation, people will find you.”

It’s not that Reiser denied that times have changed. Elsewhere in Awardsdaily he said, “Because of the moment we’re living in when the world is so fraught, the idea of having an evening where you just sit and laugh at things that are not complicated, things that are universal, things that all make us feel that we’re all going through the same thing, it’s such a relief.

“Can we just have some fun? Right now . . . (we’re) just going to talk about

Growing up in a migrant family of nine and living in a gang-infested LA neighborhood, Felipe Esparza survived by his sense of humor. He was attracted to comedy by an old Bill Cosby record, but he had no idea it would one day make him a winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”

For years he had opened for popular bilingual comics like Gabriel Iglesias and Paul Rodriguez. When he finally struck out on his own, his commitment carried him through 16 years of privation until his big break on NBC. That

PAUL REISER MAKES THINGS BETTER WITH LAUGHTER. (DMITRY BOCHAROV/CONTRIBUTOR)

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

By Connor Dziawura

Tucson Weekly

JANUARY 19

Armen Donelian Trio

The Century Room, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $35

Golden Boots

LaCo Tucson, 6 p.m., free

Pedrito Martinez and Alfredo Rodriguez

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $39.50-$65.50

Samara Joy

Playground Bar & Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $39.14

TJF Afterparty w/Gabe Terracciano Quartet

The Century Room, 10:30 p.m., $5-$15

JANUARY 20

Alex Weitz Quartet

The Century Room, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $25

Greg Morton and Jim Stanley LaCo Tucson, 5:30 p.m., free Steff and the Articles Club Congress, 8:30 p.m., $11.33

Tall Tall Trees

The Monica, 5 p.m., free

Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $42-$90

TJF Afterparty w/Brice Winston and Outward Bound

The Century Room, 10:30 p.m., $5-$15

Tucson Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 7:30 p.m., $18-$90

JANUARY 21

Bex and Halsero

Hotel Congress Plaza, 10 p.m., free

The Black Market Trust

Hotel Congress Plaza, 7 p.m., $20-$25

Emmet Cohen Trio

Hotel Congress Plaza, 3 p.m., $33-$38

“Live at Emmet’s” w/Emmet Cohen

The Century Room, 10 p.m., $55

Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour w/ Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling and more

Fox Tucson Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $50-$87.50

Studio 54: The Disco Explosion DesertView Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $30

JANUARY 22

Arturo O’Farrill Quintet

Hotel Congress Plaza, 4 p.m., $40

Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers

Fox Tucson Theatre, 7 p.m.,

$40-$87.50

Chris Cagle w/Chauncey Jones

The Maverick King of Clubs, 6 p.m., $20

The Guide Trio

Hotel Congress Plaza, 2 p.m., $25-$30

Mik and the Funky Brunch

LaCo Tucson, 11 a.m., free Tucson Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven’s Ninth

The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 2 p.m., $18-$76

Yung Gravy

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $60-$65

JANUARY 23

Supercrush and Pile of Love

Club Congress, 7 p.m., $14.42

JANUARY 24

Dry Cleaning

Hotel Congress Plaza, 7 p.m., $23.18

Lucas Julián Carballeira

LaCo Tucson, 5:30 p.m., free

JANUARY 25

Candy w/Bib

Club Congress, 7 p.m., $17.51

Lucas Julián Carballeira

LaCo Tucson, 5:30 p.m., free Oscar Fuentes

LaCo Tucson, 5:30 p.m., free Takács Quartet

Leo Rich Theater, 7:30 p.m., $10-$32

WEEK FROM PAGE 9

This weekend marks the beginning of the Tucson Desert Song Festival’s season of “Heroes and Villains.” Concerts in the series continue through Sunday, Feb. 19, then pick up again from Friday, March 24, to Thursday, April 6. Opening the season are two performances of Lieder and Beethoven’s Ninth in collaboration with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. The Lieder are two songs by Richard Wagner. Soloists are Maria Brea, Kelley O’Connor, Richard Trey Smagur and Kelly Markgraf.

7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Avenue, tucsondesertsongfestival. org, tickets start at $18

‘MUSIC ON MAIN STREET’

Add semi-monthly music to the many reasons to visit Trail Dust Town. Along with great steak at Pinnacle Peak and popular attractions like the train ride, Ferris wheel, antique carousel, and Pistoleros’ stunt shows, visitors to the old westthemed entertainment center can now enjoy concerts twice a month. Organizers say we can expect the series to present a wide range of genres. The debut features Aaron Simpson, Hank Topless and John Lindland. Wear your dancin’ shoes.

5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20, Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, traildusttown.com, free

AMOR Y MATEMÁTICAS (LOVE AND MATHEMATICS)

A sympathetically satirical comedy, set in upper-middle-class Monterey, Mexico tells the story of a member of a popular boy band, who, in his thirties, finds himself unhappy in marriage and unfulfilled in life. A former fan moves in next door and helps him find both himself and a successful new life.

7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25, Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street foxtucson.com, $6, in Spanish with English subtitles

SINGER DAVE MENSCH THRIVES ON CONNECTING WITH FANS

By Bridgette M. Redman Tucson Weekly Contributor

When Dave Mensch was a kid, his dad told him to find something that he loved and figure out a way to make a living at it.

Although it took a bit, he accomplished that with music.

A Mesa native, the singer-songwriter makes his first appearance in Tucson from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Chicago Bar. It kicks off Gauntlet Entertainment’s 2023 season.

Gauntlet Entertainment books independent musicians, comedians, pro wrestlers, artists, public speakers and

by Mike Roe who has been a singer, band manager, venue entertainment manager, sports facility manager, radio DJ and a large festival coordinator. He invited Mensch to perform here.

“I haven’t been back to play in Arizona since just before COVID,” Mensch said.

“It’s the first time in Tucson — normally I’m in Cave Creek — so I’m excited to expand out to some new areas.”

A fusion artist, Mensch blends country and rock music, covering the likes of Garth Brooks, Tom Petty, Adele, 3 Doors Down, Goo Goo Dolls, Counting Crows and Smashing Pumpkins.

Dave Mensch

WHEN: 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 WHERE: Chicago Bar, 5954 E. Speedway Boulevard, Suite A, Tucson

COST: Free admission INFO: chicagobar-tucson.com

Mensch said. “The stuff that I write is very rockin’ country. I do tons of different genres. It’s not just one style of music.”

He loves to engage with his audience, he said, by telling stories and playing songs he knows the audiences enjoy.

“I try to lean on originals, for sure,”

“It’s hard to describe, but they can control the tempo of the song live,” Mensch said. “I do crowd-interacting songs. I do improv songs that I make up right on the spot. I would say I’m a little more engaging of a songwriter compared to most.”

MUSICIAN DAVE MENSCH WILL BRING ORIGINALS AND HIS INTERPRETATION OF FAVORITE COVERS TO TUCSON FOR THE FIRST TIME. (DAVE MENSCH/SUBMITTED)

Music and entertaining are Mensch’s longtime passions. He won a 2015 BroadwayWorld Award for playing Roger in “Rent” and starred as Stacee Jax in “Rock of Ages,” both in Colorado.

“I was in theater from age 7 to 17,” he said. “Then I was in college (in Colorado) and a group of guys said, ‘Hey, let’s get that guy Dave and see if he wants to sing for our band.’”

The feeling was addictive. He loved performing with them and then started writing and playing music he enjoyed.

or ‘I love the words that you wrote for this one’ — that really keeps me going.” He said he loves to perform in new places like the Chicago Bar and be introduced to a different audience.

“I just love what I do,” Mensch said. “The inspiration that I get from conversations with fans or friends or venues brings out songs that I didn’t have before. All my experiences are wrapped up into what I do.”

The hobby turned into a full-time job on June 5, 2006.

“Which means, really, that I never work a day in my life,” Mensch said.

His career highlights include opening for Kansas, 38 Special, Dwight Yoakam, Tanya Tucker and Dan Fogelberg. But more than anything else, it is the chance to connect with audiences that excites him as a musician.

“The biggest thing is how much the fans really enjoy the shows,” Mensch said. “Each time somebody says to me, ‘I just really love your take on this song’

Since the pandemic has waned, he’s been playing more. He was impressed by the support he and other musicians received during the shutdowns.

“Fans, friends and family really came out of the woodwork to support musicians during that time which was amazing to feel that for sure,” Mensch said. “They’re awesome. Venues worked hard to be able to do social distance shows and things like that. I have a great network as far as the companies that I work with who put things together for everybody to continue working

ARTS TUCSON FRINGE FESTIVAL: EVERYONE HAS A STORY

By Laura Latzko Tucson Weekly Contributor

Performer Sommer Browning has had strange moments in her sex life.

She’ll share them — unfiltered — at the Tucson Fringe Festival, which is set for Thursday, Jan. 19, to Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Screening Room, the Temple of Music and Art’s cabaret theater, the Steinfeld Warehouse and the Circus Academy of Tucson.

Her show, “Good Actors” — which stages 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Screening Room — blends poetry, comedy and multimedia show inspired by her third poetry book.

The show also delves into motherhood, divorce, loss and sex and sexuality.

“I tried to think about and talk about all the different roles that we have in our lives, as mothers, daughters, workers, lovers, wives,” Browning said.

“We are performing our own life. I thought about how we bind all those roles together to create this whole self or this mirage of a whole self? Where does the creativity end and the real life

begin? Or does it? There’s no difference between art and life, yet there is. I’m exploring that kind of confused space.”

James Pack — the treasurer, acting president and a board member for Tucson Fringe Festival Inc. — said performers are chosen randomly, through a drawing in which names are chosen out of hat.

“The reason for that is we’re not censoring anyone. It’s not a juried kind of performance festival. It’s luck of the draw,” Pack said.

Performers are asked to fill out a content warning, which details if their shows contain content such as sexual references, clowns or depictions or discussions of violence.

“We have had instances where we didn’t get all of the information about the show, and it made some people very uncomfortable,” Pack said.

“We don’t want to censor anyone, but we want to make sure people are aware of what they are going to see. We want everyone to enjoy the show, but we want the artists to be able to tell their story the way they want to tell it.”

DURING TUCSON FRINGE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES, ARTISTS OFTEN GET UP CLOSE TO THE AUDIENCE. (JJ SNYDER PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTOR)

MANY ARTISTS AT THE TUCSON FRINGE FESTIVAL USE DIFFERENT ARTFORMS IN THEIR PERFORMANCES. (SCOTT GRIESSEL/CONTRIBUTOR)

own, it can get very costly,” Pack said. “This is a nonexpensive way for them to get their show out there. If they are doing something that is new, or maybe they haven’t performed it yet, it’s not very polished, and they are trying to work out the kinks, this is a great space for them to be able to do that.”

The performers come from around the world for the Tucson Fringe Festival.

The Tucson Fringe Festival hosts shows geared toward all ages while others are suggested for people 13 and up or 18 and older.

The festival offers a space where performers can develop and work out new material, too.

“If they were trying to put on their show here in town on their

TUCSON FRINGE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES ARE OFTEN PERSONAL IN NATURE.

(SCOTT GRIESSEL/CONTRIBUTOR)

“We still allow people to apply with virtual content if they want to do something on Zoom,” Pack explained. “We want to have that ability to get these international performers, who maybe can’t afford to travel all the way to Arizona.”

One artist returning to the festival is Kansas City comedian, actor, screenwriter, storyteller and improv performer Jamie Campbell, who will bring his new solo show “Big Dad Energy.”

In 2019, his storytelling show “The Devil on the Wall” won Best Drama at the Tucson Fringe Festival. This show was a darker comedy focused on his childhood traumas.

He said his newest show is possible because of this show.

“I think doing that very personal sto-

rytelling show let me get to a place where I was a lot more adjusted…Now, I feel like because of that healing, I’m in a better place, and that’s what ended up leading me to creating such a positive show,” Campbell said.

“Big Dad Energy” shares standup, audience interaction and musical comedy. At the beginning and end of the show, Campbell performs comedic rap numbers.

The production debuted at the Kansas City Fringe Festival, where it won Best of Fringe honors. Taking part in fringe festivals has given him a respect for artists who regularly appear in them.

“Artists who go out and do fringe are probably the most passionate and a lot of times some of the most creative of any of the performing artists that I’ve ever seen. They find these ways to think outside the box,” Campbell said.

Campbell’s show explores how he is coming to grips with the fact that he probably will never be a dad.

“My wife and I didn’t get married until we were in our early 40s, and we’re not ready for children at this point in our life. We always thought we would be parents, but at this point, you have to either have kids or let the clock run out,” Campbell said.

In the show, he shares advice he would have given and things he would

TUCSON’S 1ST ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT TO EXPAND

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Weekly Staff

Offering a flavorful variety of Ethiopian cuisine at Zemam’s, the Gebremariam family opened the restaurant’s doors in 1993.

At first only housing five tables, the restaurant soon aligned with the vision of founder Amanuel. The restaurateur is now set to open a third concept in August.

Named Z Street, the international marketplace will offer an enhanced gastronomic experience, with a soccer-pub, coffeehouse, food vendor stalls and a communal kitchen. The concept is preparing to expand its footprint in

the Sunshine Mile Overlay district in partnership with the Regional Transportation Authority and Rio Nuevo tax increment district.

“We’re trying to give people opportunities to share their really good food and bring it to the public with the hope that they ultimately outgrow us,” said Lucas Gebremariam, co-owner, manager of Zemam’s too! location on Speedway. He’s also Amanuel’s son.

Lucas and his brother, Noah who co-owns and manages the original Zemam’s on Broadway, said that there was a lack of a gathering space that wasn’t in the overly saturated Down-

town Tucson, Fourth Avenue Area. When they heard of an opportunity between the city of Tucson and Rio Nuevo, they contacted Fletcher Mc-

Cusker, chairman of the Rio Nuevo Board of Directors and others.

First organized in 1948, the Arizona Biennial is a much-anticipated juried exhibition that showcases some of the most innovative and diverse new works being created in the state.

THE GEBREMARIAM FAMILY INCLUDES, FROM LEFT, NOAH, AMANUEL AND LUCAS. (KATYA MENDOZA/STAFF)

“We just started getting approval from the city on different permits,” Lucas said. While the original Broadway Zemam’s is temporarily closed for construction, they are working on local partnerships for the international square. Looking forward to phase two of the Z Street concept, the coffee house will feature a traditional, Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DJ HERM, ZEMAM’S, TOO! HOSTS MONTHLY GLOBAL MUSIC DANCE PARTIES PLAYING AFRO SOUL, FUNK, REGGAE, DANCEHALL AND OTHER GENRES. A LATE-NIGHT MENU IS FEATURED. (KATYA MENDOZA/ STAFF)

“They roast the beans right in front of you and take it around to let everybody smell it,” Lucas said. Similar to a Turkish coffee, served small and strong, Ethiopian style is complemented with a side of popcorn.

With the intention of a “Mediterranean, Middle Eastern market vibe,” as Lucas described it, Z Street seeks to be an inclusive space made by and for the community.

While the story of Zemam’s Ethiopian Cuisine began long before the original opening, it has earned its place as a long-time staple in the Tucson gastronomic sphere.

A refugee from Eritrea, Amanuel fled his homeland over 40 years ago with nothing in his pockets. Prior to settling in Tucson, he met his wife, Cindy, through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Sudan.

They eventually joined the Peace Corps after moving back and forth between the United States and West Africa, after Favin, Lucas and Noah came along. The family headed southwest from Washington, D.C., living for a time in Sells, and moving into the Sam Hughes neighborhood.

“I remember picking him up (from work) one day, I was in first or second grade and he was like, ‘I quit my job today, I’m going to open an Ethiopian restaurant and everybody’s going to love it,’” Lucas said. “The city really embraced us.”

The family owned and operated, small and local business on Speedway, Zemam’s, Too! remains in full operation 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is run by a staff of refu-

gees.

The Gebremariams continue to evolve their legacy throughout Tucson. Coupled with seasonally decorated injeras, Zemam’s teams with local DJ Herm for their monthly Passport Global Music Dance Party nights, playing a variety of afro soul, funk, reggae and dancehall.

“I wanted to do like an afro funk night, it was something I always talked about,” Lucas said. “(DJ Herm) was deadpan like, ‘I would do that for you,’ so we started it and we’ve gotten a lot of regulars and people committed to dancing.” Zemam’s continues to transcend the local palate.

The vegetarian-friendly menu boasts a variety of dishes, including a sampler platter that has veggie and meat options, starting at $11.75. Other featured favorites are yemisir kay wat — red lentils, sauteed onions and a spicy berbere sauce ($9.25) — and the gomen alicha, with carrots, cabbage and potatoes simmered in a mild turmeric-based sauce ($9.25).

“I tell people there’s something wrong with (their) tastebuds if they don’t like the red lentils,” Lucas said.

DJ Herm presents Passport. A Global Music Dance Party

WHEN: 8 to 11 p.m. once a month, including Thursdays Jan. 19, Feb. 16 and March 23; late-night menu until 10 p.m.

WHERE: Zemam’s, Too! 119 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson COST: Free admission

INFO: 520-882-4955 zemamsrestaurants.com

FELIPE ESPARZA THRIVES ON A BILINGUAL SENSE OF HUMOR. (FELIPE ESPARZA/ SUBMITTED)

MENSCH FROM PAGE 12

during that time.

He’s eager to bring his brand of music to a new audience and to connect with them during the show.

“The biggest thing for me as a musician is that I don’t try to pretend to be the artist that I’m covering,” Mensch said. “Every song that I do is my interpretation of that cover. If you’re coming to a show, expect something different or a fresh take on a particular song. I hope that whether I’m doing an original song or a cover song, that audiences will notice the originality of what is being performed. I really want to give them an original take on the things that I play.”

FRINGE FROM PAGE 13

and wouldn’t have done well as a dad.

He offers positive “dad” commentary when interacting with audience members.

win was his ticket not only to sold-out comedy venues across the country but also to acting opportunities for movies and TV.

He has since produced an hour-long special, “They’re Not Gonna Laugh at You,” on Netflix, and another called “Translate This” for HBO. In 2020 Netflix released both English and Spanish versions of his special “Bad Decisions”/ “Malas Decisiones.”

Esparza performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Desert Diamond Sahuarita Diamond Center, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita. Tickets start at $30 at ddcaz.com/felipe-esparza.

MORE COMEDY THIS WEEK

Catalina Craft Pizza, 15930 N. Oracle Road, Suite 178. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, “Comedy in Catalina,” $8 or free with a donation of food or clothing. Monte Benjamin headlines, August O’Neal features, special guest is Tamale Sepp, co-hosts are Valdez (96.1 KLPX) and Allana Erickson-Lopez, lineup includes Amanda Dean and Levi Hernandez. Reservations recommended, 520-825-0140.

Harambe Café, 6464 E. Tanque Verde Road. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, eventbrite.com, $20 includes medicated drinks and dabs, $50 VIP includes all that and samples. “A Dab of Comedy” features Tamale Sepp, Autumn Horvat, Chris Quinn, Matt Ziemak and Rory Monserrat. Darryl G hosts.

Laff’s Comedy Caffe, 2900 E. Broadway Boulevard. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, laffstucson.com, $15, $20 preferred seating, standup comic and one-man vocal band Ron Feingold

Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speedway Boulevard. unscrewed theatre.org, $8, live or remote, $5 kids. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, Family-Friendly Improv; 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, Unscrewed Family Hour with Comic Chaos; 7:30 p.m. Family Friendly Comedy; 9 p.m. Backyard open play, pay-what-you will admission.

“In true dad fashion, I like to talk to a few people, get some information about them and tell them why I’m proud of them,” Campbell said.

“The audience, I think they are waiting for me to turn around and roast them…My show is super positive. I think after the lockdown and everything we’ve been through as a world, we could use some positivity.

“It’s not like I’m Mister Rogers out there. I talk a little bit about drugs, a little bit about sex, a little bit about changes I want to see in the world, but I also focus on how we need to listen and how I’m proud of this younger generation.”

“Big Dad Energy” will be presented at the Steinfeld Warehouse on Saturday at 2 and 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

During the Tucson Fringe Festival, performers are paid for their time and artistry. In total, it has given out over $45,000 to performers. A portion of ticket and pass sales goes to the artists. The other proceeds help with festival costs.

Pack became involved with the event in 2017. He said it’s been an interesting ride.

“What I find most interesting is A, everyone has a story to tell, and B, a lot of times, it’s very interesting to watch. I’ve never gone to a fringe show and felt bored the whole time… It’s interesting seeing it from the person who experienced it,” Pack said.

Tucson Fringe Festival

WHEN: Various times Thursday, Jan. 19, to Sunday, Jan. 22

WHERE: The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress Street; Temple of Music and Art’s cabaret theater, 330 S. Scott Street; Steinfeld Warehouse, 101 W. Sixth Street; The Circus Academy of Tucson, 400 W. Speedway Boulevard

COST: $12 for individual shows, $20 for two-show pass, $50 for five-show pass INFO: tucsonfringe.org

LAUGHING STOCK FROM PAGE 10

D2 MARKS NEW LOCATION’S GRAND OPENING

By Hope Peters Tucson Weekly Staff

D2 Dispensary has found a new home, quadrupling its space from its previous location.

Now found at 7139 E. 22nd Street, D2 Dispensary is the largest facility of its type in Arizona and it features Tucson’s first drive-thru.

The building is 13,510 square feet, but 9,100 of it is licensed space, according to Moe Asnani, the co-founder of Downtown Dispensary and D2.

“The rest of it is back offices, a break room, things like that,” Asnani said. “Goodwill (store) used to be here, and we took it over in early 2021, and started working on it then, so everything you see here has been about two years’ worth of remodeling and work to get it where it is now.”

The former location was 2,889 square feet. The company employs more than 220 people. The new D2 location is 250 feet away

from the original location at the northeast corner of Kolb Road and 22nd Street in the Palo Verde Plaza.

When remodeling the space, crews kept the donations dropoff area, which was converted to a dispensary indoor drive-thru on the building’s west side. Per the city, crews installed exhaust systems. The drive-thru’s clearance is 7 feet.

SEE D2 PAGE 18

D2 DISPENSARY GENERAL MANAGER QUINLAN AMMONS ACCEPTS THE TUCSON METRO CHAMBER’S PROCLAMATION PLAQUE. (HOPE PETERS/STAFF)

Thomas Sayler-Brown was the designer/architect for the new dispensary.

“Thomas Sayler-Brown has been an architect for 40 years,” Asnani said. “This was his last project before he retired. I had to convince him; he was trying to retire and I said, ‘No, please do this last one.’ so he did it, and then he retired.”

Co-founder Chip Boyden said they started the business in 2010 and then received their license for the Downtown dispensary for medical-use cannabis in 2012. D2 Dispensary was purchased once they had the license in 2016 and opened in 2017.

“The amount of products has increased dramatically since this last year…there are way more options for patients and consumers,” Boyden said. As the cannabis industry grows and more “people realize its longevity,” they will invest in more products, he explained.

Slated to be added are D2’s own THC drink, Elevado, within the next few months.

“I think the drink space is relatively small, but it is getting larger,” Boyden said.

It comes on the heels of the Rick Simpson Oil gummy, a solventless gummy that has been very successful, Boyden said.

“The RSO we are putting in there is really high quality,” added Quinlan Ammons, D2’s general manager.

“Every ingredient we put in there is high quality. We don’t skimp on expenses when it comes to our ingredients.”

Boyden said, in addition to the RSO gummy, two of the most popular products they’ve launched are the Roaring 20s prerolls and Zenzona.

The Roaring 20s prerolls are 20% THC sativa strain flower; Zenzona are vegan cannabis gummies designed for relax-

ing. The latter are made in Tucson.

The dispensary celebrated its grand opening during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, officiated by Tucson Metro Chamber ambassador Kat Robey.

“Congratulations, this is a huge, huge day. I am really glad to be here for the Tucson Metro Chamber ambassadors,” Robey said before reading and presenting the Tucson Metro Chamber proclamation.

“We wish to congratulate D2 Dispensary on the grand opening of their new location,” Robey read. “We present this proclamation which carries with it 100 years of good fortune on this 10th day of January 2023; signed by Michael Guymon, president and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber. Congratulations.”

Drivers and any passengers purchasing cannabis must present ID. The 22nd Street store includes a consultation room so customers can receive help choosing the cannabis product that fits them best.

D2’s new space also includes a new medical VIP area for Arizona medical marijuana patients for more privacy and comfort.

Prepacked goods are dispensed in child-resistant containers and exit bags.

Mari Perez, who staffs the concierge and check-in desk, welcomes clients and directs them to products. She has been with the D2 Dispensary for four years and said she sees a lot of good progress with the dispensary.

“I am so proud of everybody, just to see how far we’ve come,” Perez said. “It’s a true blessing.”

D2 Dispensary

7139 E. 22nd Street, Tucson 520-214-3232, d2dispensary.com

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

ARIZONA'S

D2 FROM PAGE 17

COMICS

LEGALIZATION NATION By Brian Box Brown

TUCSON AREA DISPENSARIES

BLOOM TUCSON

4695 N. Oracle Road, Suite 117

520-293-3315; bloomdispensary.com

Open: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

BOTANICA

6205 N. Travel Center Drive

520-395-0230; botanica.us

Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

DESERT BLOOM RE-LEAF CENTER

8060 E. 22nd Street, Suite 108

520-886-1760; dbloomtucson.com

Open: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Offering delivery

DOWNTOWN DISPENSARY

221 E. Sixth Street, Suite 105 520-838-0492; thedowntowndispensary.com

Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

D2 DISPENSARY

7139 E. 22nd Street

520-214-3232; d2dispensary.com

Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

EARTH’S HEALING

Two locations: North: 78 W. River Road 520-253-7198

South: 2075 E. Benson Highway 520-373-5779 earthshealing.org

Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays; Offering delivery

GREEN MED WELLNESS CENTER

6464 E. Tanque Verde Road

520-886-2484, greenmedwellness.com

Open: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

THE GREEN HALO

7710 S. Wilmot Road

520-664-2251; thegreenhalo.org

Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

HANA GREEN VALLEY

1732 W. Duval Commerce Point Place

520-289-8030

Open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

HARVEST OF TUCSON

2734 E. Grant Road

520-314-9420; askme@harvestinc.com; harvestofaz.com

Open: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

NATURE MED

5390 W. Ina Road

520-620-9123; naturemedaz.com

Open: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

THE PRIME LEAF

Two locations:

• 4220 E. Speedway Boulevard

• 1525 N. Park Avenue

520-44-PRIME; theprimeleaf.com

Open: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays

TUCSON SAINTS

112 S. Kolb Road

520-886-1003; medicalmarijuanaoftucson.com

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED WEEKLY HOROSCOPE 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700 $1.99 per minute. 18 and over. Touchtone phone required.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)

Good news, Aries! During the next episode in the age-old struggle between the Impulsive You and the Farsighted You, I predict the latter will achieve a ringing victory. Hallelujah! I also foresee you overcoming the temptation to quit a project prematurely, and instead pushing on to complete it. There’s more! You will refrain from knocking your head against an obstacle in the vain hope of toppling it. Instead, you will round up helpers to help you wield a battering ram that will produce the desired toppling.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)

You may not have a clear picture of where you’ll be going in the next five years. The detailed master plan that your higher self devised for you before you were born might even be obscure. But I’m here to tell you that in the coming weeks, a new lucidity can be yours. You can summon an acute instinct about which way is forward, if only you will recognize the subtle ways it’s speaking to you. In fact, I believe you will regularly know what move you should make next so as to expedite your long-term evolution. Life will be rewarding you with mysterious step-by-step guidance. Now please write a short statement affirming your intention to love, honor, and obey your intuition.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20)

Do you believe in the existence of guardian angels and spirit guides and ancestors who can intervene in your behalf from the other side of the veil? Do you wonder if maybe your invisible friends from childhood show up in your vicinity now and then to offer you support and kindness? Or how about the animals you loved earlier in your life but who have since passed away? Is it possible their souls have never left you, but are available if you need their affection? Even if your rational mind tells you that none of these possibilities are authentic, Gemini, I suspect you will nevertheless be the beneficiary of their assistance in the coming weeks and months. Their influence will be even more potent if you proceed as if they are real.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22)

Among your potential strengths as a human being are empathy, sensitivity, and emotional intelligence. You may or may not choose to develop these natural gifts. But if you do, they can be instrumental in helping you achieve the only kind of success that’s really meaningful for you—which is success that your heart and soul love as much as your head and your ego. According to my astrological analysis, you are moving into a phase of your cycle when you will have extra power to ripen your empathy, sensitivity, and emotional intelligence— and thereby enhance your ability to achieve the kind of success that’s meaningful for you.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)

“Dear Rob the Astrologer: The computer firewall at my youth hostel is blocking your website. I am being told you practice ‘Illegal Folklore and Insurrectionary Fairy Tales.’ What the hell? Can you do anything at your end to get me access to your wonderful horoscopes? Maybe cut back a bit on your Illegal Folklore and Insurrectionary Fairy Tales? Haha. Just kidding. I love that crazy stuff. — Deprived Leo in Ireland.” Dear Deprived: Many of you Leos have lately had problems getting all the Illegal Folklore and Insurrectionary Fairy Tales you need. I hope you will push hard to compensate. In my estimation, you currently have a strong need for dreamy stories that appeal to the Wild Child in you. They’re essential to your mental and spiritual health.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)

In his book “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life,” Donald Miller acknowledges that fear can be a “guide to keep us safe.” Being afraid may indeed have its uses and benefits. But Miller adds that it’s also “a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life.” In my astrological opinion, Virgo, fear will

be of service to you—a guide to keep you safe—about nine percent of the time in 2023. Around 83 percent of the time, it will be a manipulative emotion not worth acting on. For the other eight percent, it will be neither. Please plan accordingly.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22)

Select two sticky situations in your world that you would love to reinvent. Let other annoyances and glitches just slide for now. Then cultivate a focused desire to do everything in your power to transform the two awkward or messy circumstances. Proceed as if you will have to do all the work yourself—that nothing will change for the better unless you take full responsibility. If you’re absolutely sure this involves other people altering their behavior, consider the possibility that maybe your behavior needs to shift as well.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21)

Three out of four toxic waste dumps in the Unites States are in predominantly African American or Latino communities. Two million tons of radioactive uranium tailings have been dumped on Native American lands. Three hundred thousand Latino farm workers in the US suffer from pesticide-related sicknesses every year. These travesties make me furious. More importantly, my rage motivates me to mitigate these travesties, like by educating my readers about them and donating money to groups crusading to fix the problems. In the coming weeks, Scorpio, I hope you will take advantage of your astrological potentials by using your anger constructively, too. Now is a favorable time for you to fight fiercely and tenderly for what’s right.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)

I predict that love will bring you many a-ha! moments in 2023. You can’t fully prepare yourself for them—and that’s a good thing! The epiphanies will be brighter and deeper if they are unexpected. Your motivation to learn the available lessons will be wilder and stronger if you enjoy being surprised. So be ready for lots of entertaining rumbles and reverberations, Sagittarius. The ad-

justments you will be asked to make will often be strenuous and fun. The inspirations you will be invited to harvest will require you to outgrow some of your previous beliefs about the nature of intimacy and togetherness.

CAPRICORN

(DEC. 22-JAN. 19)

Some insects are helpful to humans. For example, ladybugs devour aphids, which are highly destructive to crops. Damsel bugs eat the pests called leafhoppers, and lacewings feed on the pernicious nuisances known as mealybugs. I also remind you that some bugs are beautiful, like butterflies, dragonflies, and jeweled beetles. Keep these thoughts in mind, Capricorn, as you contemplate my counsel. Metaphorically speaking, you will have experiences with bugs in the next three weeks. But this won’t be a problem if you ally yourself with the good, helpful, and beautiful bugs.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)

What are “brain orgasms”? Can you seek them out and make them happen, or do you have to wait patiently for them to arrive in their own sweet time? When they occur, what should you do? Surrender into them with all your welcome fully unleashed? Or should you question whether they’re real, be suspicious of their blessings, or dismiss them as irrelevant flukes? I encourage you to meditate on questions like these. That will raise your receptivity to the stream of brain orgasms that life will offer you in the coming weeks.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)

My Piscean pagan friend Valie says God is stealthy yet blatant, like a green chameleon perched on a green leaf. After analyzing the astrological omens, I conclude that this is a helpful, all-purpose metaphor for you to use in the coming weeks. I encourage you to be alert for beauty that is hidden in plain sight. See if you can spy the miracles embedded within the ordinary. Ask life to pleasantly blow your mind over and over again. Here’s your phrase of power: open secret

By Rob Brezsny.

ACROSS

1 Outstanding

7 Clothes line?

11 Toothed tool

14 “Now it makes sense”

15 Opposite of baja, in Spanish

16 How many it takes to tango

30 German luxur y auto

Edited by Will Shortz No. 1107

Edited by Will Shortz

64 It has the same function as “Option” on a Mac

65 6-3, 6-2 or 7-6

57 What hips don’t do, per a Shakira hit

31 Cards wor th 1 or 11 in blackjack

66 D.C. ball club, informally

58 See 17-Across

67 A acks

32 Opposite of exo-

DOWN

62 “___ we there yet?”

33 “I’ll return soon,” in a text

There are …” 19 Prominent feature of an elephant or dachshund

“Now it makes sense!”

Word with jerk or joint

17 With 58-Across, “I’m so ner vous! There are …”

19 Prominent feature of an elephant or dachshund

1 Japanese buckwheat noodle

63 Where India is

2 “No siree!”

36 “Why the troubled look?”

3 What baba ghanouj is o en served with

… or a hint to 17-, 24-, 48- and 58-Across

___ and Caicos Islands 24 “I can’t stop thinking about it! There’s a …”

4 Approx.

64 It has the same function as “Option” on a Mac

5 Stunk

65 6-3, 6-2 or 7-6

6 Senator Sanders

41 Edgar’s nickname, perhaps

7 Witch trials locale

8 One of the Mannings

28 Marched in an a entionseeking way

42 Pref ix with sphere

9 Had breakfast, say

30 German luxury auto

43 Flightless Australian birds

31 Cards worth 1 or 11 in blackjack

20 “Now it makes sense!”

32 Opposite of exo-

21 Word with jerk or joint

22 ___ and Caicos Islands

10 Extinct megafauna species whose name derives from the Greek for “breast tooth”

44 Color of unbleached linen

11 Rear of a ship

12 No longer in slumberland

66 D.C. ball club, informally 67 Attacks DOWN 1 Japanese buckwheat noodle

45 Skill

33 “I’ll return soon,” in a text

36 “Why the troubled look?” … or a hint to 17-, 24-, 48- and 58-Across

24 “I can’t stop thinking about it! There’s a …”

13 ___-case scenario

2 “No siree!”

18 Ward (o )

48 “I can’t sit still! There are …”

23 Prefix with cycle or code

25 Sunrise direction

41 Edgar’s nickname, perhaps

52 Cloth to dr y off with

42 Prefix with sphere

43 Flightless Australian birds

44 Color of unbleached linen

45 Skill

28 Marched in an attention-seeking way

26 Yin’s counterpart

53 Figs. that include interest

48 “I can’t sit still! There are …”

3 What baba ghanouj is often ser ved with 4 Approx. 5 Stunk

6 Senator Sanders

27 “___ have promises to keep, and miles to go …”: Robert Frost

54 Extra amount for a waiter

52 Cloth to dry o with

53 Figs. that include interest

54 Extra amount for a waiter

57 What hips don’t do, per a Shakira hit

58 See 17-Across

62 “___ we there yet?”

63 Where India is

28 One of 16 on a chessboard

7 Witch trials locale

29 Pain

BY JILL SINGER

might do

8 One of the Mannings

32 One in a Freudian trio

33 How one sends an embarrassing email to the entire o ice?

27 “___ have promises to keep, and miles to go ”: Rober t Frost

38 Created 39 E pluribus ___ 40 Hanukkah money 44 Language su ix 45 Facebook and Pinterest 46 Record of drinks ordered

51 “Get Yer ___ Out!” (Rolling Stones album)

55 Stage name for rapper Tracy Lauren Marrow

9 Had breakfast, say 10 Extinct megafauna species whose name derives from the Greek for “breast tooth” 11 Rear of a ship 12 No longer in slumberland 13 ___-case scenario 18 Ward (off ) 23

34 Sound defeat 35 Kind of phone signal that’s nearly obsolete 37 Like thick-crust, rectangular

28 One of 16 on a chessboard 29 Pain 32 One in a Freudian trio

47 Dr. Scholl’s product

48 World record?

49 Bête ___

37 Like thick-crust, rectangular pizza 38 Created 39 E pluribus 40 Hanukkah money

56 ___ Ed (gym class)

59 Intelligence org.

60 Sch. for aspiring engineers

44 Language suffix

50 Something a bird or celebrity

33 How one sends an embarrassing email to the entire off ice?

34 Sound defeat

35 Kind of phone signal that’s nearly obsolete

61 Everest and Denali: Abbr.

45 Facebook and Pinterest

46 Record of drinks ordered

47 Dr. Scholl’s product 48 World