Tucson Weekly 03/02/2023

SweetChallenge

Baking contest gives UA chef a place to shine

MUSIC: Mania: The ABBA Tribute | WEEDLY: Type O Negative CBD

ADMINISTRATION

Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher

Michael Hiatt, Vice President

Tyler Vondrak, Associate Publisher, tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Claudine Sowards, Accounting, claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com

EDITORIAL

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

Veronica Kuffel, Staff Reporter, vkuffel@timeslocalmedia.com

Hope Peters, Staff Reporter, hpeter@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Karen Schaffner, Staff Reporter, kschaffner@tucsonlocalmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Brian Box Brown, Rob Brezsny, Tom Danehy, Connor Dziawura, Clay Jones, Laura Latzko, Evan Maharry, Andy Mosier, Dan Perkins, Linda Ray, Will Shortz, Jen Sorensen

PRODUCTION

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

Tonya Mildenberg, Graphic Designer, tmildenberg@timeslocalmedia.com

CIRCULATION

Aaron Kolodny, Circulation Director, aaron@phoenix.org

Brian Juhl, Distribution Manager, brian@timeslocalmedia.com

ADVERTISING

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NATIONAL ADVERTISING

Zac Reynolds, Director of National Advertising zac@timeslocalmedia.com

DANEHY

IS BEYONCE THE GOAT? SOME THINK NOT

By Tom Danehy Tucson Weekly Columnist

They had a funny bit on “Saturday Night Live” a few years ago where two married couples are sitting around, just shooting the breeze, when someone brings up the latest Beyonce album. One of the guys says, rather nonchalantly, “Oh, I thought it was OK.”

The other three people recoil and loudly gasp. Noting their reaction, the guy tries to backtrack. “I mean, it was really good, but all of her stuff is really good.” More recoiling and gasping. Eventually, we see the guy being chased down a dark alley by angry members of the Beyhive.

It was a funny bit, but the humor came from truth stretched out a bit. In the past couple weeks, we have seen multiple examples of just how odd some of those Beyonce people really are. At the recent Grammy Awards, Beyonce

was celebrated as having won the most Grammys of any person. But when her latest album, “Renaissance,” lost out for Album of the Year to something by Harry Styles, the people went nuts.

You can always argue over which album is better (between any two albums, ever). That’s just fun. But that was just the jumping-off point for this social media coalition of fanboys, mid-level celebrities and self-important music critics. Quickly it veered off into shouts of racism and nonsense masquerading as serious analysis suggesting that there is some kind of conspiracy out there bent on depriving Beyonce of what is rightfully hers.

At the risk of being chased down a dark alley, I think Beyonce is O.K. She puts on a nice show. I first saw her when she was part of Destiny’s Child (although I thought that Kelly Rowland

had the better voice). Beyonce’s concertgoers get exactly what they are expecting — lots of glitz, bright lights, and backup dancers. But people talk about her like she’s one of the all-time greats and I just don’t see that. She might be the best of the current crop, but who is her competition? There is Megan Thee Stallion, who is basically Cardi B 2.0, who, in turn, is Nicki Minaj

2.0. Rihanna is great, but apparently she’s on permanent maternity leave. Lady Gaga has a great voice, but she made a movie, then fell off the face of the Earth. The biggest female vocalist of last year, Dua Lipa, made a fun disco album (I love the song “Levitate” with Da Baby), but her voice is nothing special and she dances like a white woman from England. When I read all that GOAT (greatest of all time) stuff, I winced. (To be fair, I’ve been blessed to have lived through much of what is considered the modern era of popular music. Among other things, that means that I’m old enough to have seen Janis Joplin perform.) I knew instantly that Beyonce wouldn’t be in my Top Five, but then I wondered whether she would even be in my Top 10. It seemed a possibility since I’ve always been a soul man, and I really like female vocalists. So I made a list. A person’s favorite singer isn’t always a great singer (example: Madonna), but I would like to think that most of my picks fall in that sweet spot in a Venn diagram.

ARETHA FRANKLIN, 1968. (WIKICOMMONS)

My all-time favorite is Aretha Franklin. Try to come up with an example where the names of Aretha and Beyonce could legitimately appear in the same sentence. I thought not.

The rest of my Top Five, in no particular order, would include Mariah Carey, Adele, Whitney Houston and Linda Ronstadt. Adele, Mariah and Whitney are all among the greatest soul singers of all time, and Linda Ronstadt was a great singer in whatever genre she felt like dabbling in.

But what about the Next Five? I wouldn’t put her ahead of Amy Winehouse, who was just so unique as to be unforgettable. Here’s one that might raise some eyebrows — Karen Carpenter. One of the most perfect voices of all time. Held back by the schmaltz produced by her brother/partner, Richard, she still managed to shine on everything she did. I’m sorry, “Merry Christmas, Darling” is the undisputed greatest Christmas song of all time.

Based on having made the greatest album ever by a female vocalist, I

would also include Dusty Springfield. Her album “Dusty in Memphis,” which includes the single “Son of a Preacher Man,” is a soul legend. That makes eight. For my final two, I would probably go with Annie Lennox and Lady Gaga.

I was at the Sporting Chance Center the week after the Grammys and I decided to ask some people what they thought. I thought maybe I’m too old. Maybe I’ve got weird taste. It wasn’t an exact scientific sampling, but I did ask several young people and a bunch of older people. I asked them to tell me their favorite female vocalist and also whom they thought was the greatest female vocalist. (I also asked a few people whether they would list Beyonce in their personal Top Five of all time.)

The favorite responses were kinda all over the place, including one each for Joni Mitchell, Taylor Swift and Shania Twain. No Beyonce. The most common “greatest” response was Aretha Franklin, followed by Whitney Houston. Again, no Beyonce.

I’m going to stay out of dark alleys for a while.

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both said, ‘What was that?!’ Three days later, I had areas with no feeling, from my neck all the way down to my fingers with excruciating pain.”

After his spinal surgery and recovery, Jason said he could not wait to get back into the tank.

“I was alternating between physical therapy, floating and massage, and repeat, for about 18 months,” he said. Within 3 years of the injury, he was in the best shape of his life, much of which he credits to the recovery methods they offer at Levity.

“We had been customers here for probably six years,” Lindsey said. “After the COVID-related closures, the previous owner asked us if we wanted to buy it, so, after many hundreds of conversations, we decided to take the plunge.” They purchased the business on April 8, 2021.

Jason loves the business because of the calming effects after floating. “It is undeniable, you can’t fake the calmness and the serenity it brings for a lot of people,” Jason said. “And for somebody who is from the extreme… we have regulars who can be very salty, or less friendly, but after a float they make eye contact and say thank you. Some guests have sat for up to an hour telling us their story and being so grateful that ‘something like this is in Tucson,’ and they leave in a clearly better state of mind.”

One of Jason’s doubting friends also learned of the benefits of floatation therapy. “A friend of mine was in the Samadhi tank for the first time, and he had a separated rib. To date, he couldn’t stretch enough to get it back in the right place,” Jason said. After about 10 minutes, Jason heard his muffled, yet excited voice. He was able to pop his rib back in and he could breathe again.

Lindsey said she loves the sharing of their customers’ experiences.

“Talking to all the people after (their float time), on why they do it and how they feel about it after, is my favorite part of being here,” she said. Levity Wellness Center has two tanks from which to choose.

The Levity Samadhi tank has simplic-

THE LEVITY SAMADHI TANK HAS SIMPLICITY IN MIND, FOCUSING ON CREATING THE BEST, MOST APPROACHABLE FLOAT EXPERIENCE. (LEVITY WELLNESS CENTER/SUBMITTED)

ity in mind, focusing on creating the best possible float experience. For 40 years, it has provided an environment with as few distractions as possible, a space of nothingness, where the floater is suspended in weightless silence. The tank provides a comforting womb-like environment. It is an original float experience with deep meditation.

The center also features the Levity Float Room, which adds more space with easy entrance and exit. Unlike many with a hatch lid, the float room has a glass door for easy access. Customers control a dim blue light that ensures a sense of control and an open feeling, unlike many pod- or tank-style therapies. It provides an open feel with plenty of space to stretch. (The tallest to float yet is 6-foot-10, and he fit.)

Each float tank contains 12 inches of body temperature water with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate. It’s a chemical compound made up of magnesium, sulfur and oxygen.

The float tank is soundproof, lightproof and the salt water provides an

anti-gravity environment. The isolation tank makes the user feel weightless as if he/she is in a womb or floating in space. It allows the “brain to focus on the needs of the body with a deeper sense of awareness,” according to the website. With a 60% return rate, customers include pro-am athletes; cyclists prior to the El Tour De Tucson event; Tucson Appliance’s Chris Edwards; and Delaney Schnell and Jessica Parratto, two 2021 Olympic silver-medal winning synchronized divers.

Floatation therapy has clinically proven results. “People come in with focus issues, or sleeping problems, or ADHD, trauma, grief, anxiety,” Lindsey said. “The level of magnesium in these tanks is proven to have marked effect, not to mention the time to let your brain unplug in an environment of all output and no input, and ‘see’ what it does.”

Dr. Justin Feinstein is the coordinator and driving force behind the Float Research Collective, clinicalfloat.org.

“There is a massive wealth of information regarding clinical tests around floating and the impact of it,” Jason said. “There is a massive amount to still learn from clinical testing and we will be doing all we can to support it. Everyone deserves the right to have access to

mental wellness too, and this is another incredible tool.”

He said Feinstein’s team ran tests on a clinical group.

“They took a control group of indi-

viduals and asked a third of the group to sit and relax, watching nature documentaries, (then) one control group and the other third were to float.” Jason explained. “They tracked the results of their cortisol, HRV, blood pressure, and their heart rate, pre/amid/post treatment. They found out the more stressed, the more anxiety and the worse someone scored, they found the more stressed had a stronger reaction to the float tank and found a significant drop of stress, blood pressure, resting heart rate.”

However, those who are extremely stressed and the vagus nerve is incredibly overwhelmed, they found float therapy to be helpful.

“We strive to be another Tucson gem that does right by its community,” he said.

Levity Wellness Center 2272 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson Call/text 520-339-6674; levityrising.com levitywellness@outlook.com

Eli Blasko, We Choose the Moon, 2020, office paper, .5 x 7 x 7 in.

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WOMEN’S EQUALITY: “CELEBRATING WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN CHALLENGING TIMES”

The bipartisan League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson hosts a panel comprising Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher, Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, NAACP Tucson Branch president, Dr. Cheree Meeks and YWCA of Southern Arizona CEO Magdalena Verdugo for a discussion about challenges particular to women leaders. The event also salutes the League’s 2023 Honorees, Tucson-area women who have made outstanding contributions to democracy.

League of Women Voters “Issues and Eggs” Fundraiser and panel discussion, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 3, via Zoom, 10 to 11:30 a.m. in-person after party, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona, 4300 E. Broadway Boulevard, tlwvtucson.org, $25

TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART SPRING ARTISAN MARKET

The TMA Museum store curates this event to raise funds for Southern Arizona’s oldest and most diverse visual arts institution. Located in the “historic block,” which also includes Old Town Artisans, this event features more than 100 local artists and artisans, offering original fine art, pottery, glass, jewelry, textiles, metal sculpture, candles, art glass, glass beads, wood sculpture, ceramics, handbags and gift items.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 5, Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Avenue, tucsonmuseumofart.org, free

OLD TUCSON:

“A

WESTERN EXPERIENCE”

Old Tucson brings us the “Old West” as we’ve always pretended it: gunfights; dancing girls; vaudeville; charming living character tropes in costumes you’re tempted to touch; old-timey, lived-inlooking clapboard structures. Old Tucson is an actualized fantasy of being on the set of a Clint Eastwood cowboy movie. Because, of course, that’s exactly what it is. Special attractions include. “The Last Outpost” retail store, check out the “Old Iron Door Gold Mine,” watch the blacksmith or just wander the paths and look around. The kids can pretend they’re the cast of “Rango.”

by Linda Ray

10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, through May 7, Old Tucson, 201 Kinney Road, oldtucson.com, $34

LIVE THEATER WORKSHOP: ET CETERA LATE-NIGHT SERIES

NICOLAS LEVASSEUR’S TINY NIGHTMARES ARE AT THE MINI TIME MACHINE MUSEUM OF MINIATURES.

(THE MINI TIME MACHINE MUSEUM OF MINIATURES/SUBMITTED)

“DIORAMAS OF A DARKER NATURE: NICOLAS LEVASSEUR’S ABANDONED MINIATURES”

Makers of miniatures that get as far as this museum are plain mad for meticulous detail at an obsessively granular level. But we don’t typically imagine the larger stories they may tell. Now comes the unimaginable: miniature houses and rooms wracked by time, weather and ghosts. Or so they seem, but it’s infinitely tiny workmanship that’s haunted them. Nicolas Levasseur has said, “Abandoned places feel like they are dripping with mystery and intrigue.” The exhibit continues through Sunday, May 7. Visit abandonedminiatures.com for more information about Levasseur and to shop for his templates, if you happen to be a miniaturist with a dark heart.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, May 7, The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, theminitimemachine.org, $14.

WEDNESDAY GUIDED BIRD WALK

Birders of all experience levels find a uniquely wide selection of birds on these outings. The foothills habitat is the sweet spot of altitude and rainfall. The weekly Wednesday walks are led by experienced birders who know just where to look for the most, and the most interesting, species. Bring binoculars, water, a snack and a bird guide if you have one. The walk lasts several hours.

WEDNESDAY IS BIRDING DAY AT CATALINA STATE PARK.

(CATALINA STATE PARK/SUBMITTED)

8 a.m. every Wednesday, meet at the trailhead at Catalina State Park, 11570 N. Oracle Road, azstateparks.com/Catalina, free

THE CACTUS CLASSIC BASEBALL INVITATIONAL CONTINUES ALL MONTH AT KINO STADIUM.

(CACTUS CLASSIC BASEBALL INVITATIONAL/ SUBMITTED)

CACTUS CLASSIC BASEBALL

INVITATIONAL

Tucson Invitational Games host the NCAA D3 – Baseball Cactus Classic at Kino Sports Complex this month. It’s all baseball, all day, every day in March. According to the National Weather Service, March has average daily highs of 75 degrees and is among our least rainy months of the year. Call it heaven for folks who like to while away the hours with scorecards in their hands and stats in their smart phones. Times vary daily through Friday, March 31, Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way, tigsports.com, free. See the website for schedules.

Ally Tanzillo debuts a version of herself in “Tell Me About You.” She wrote, directed and stars in this performance, which is set within a “first date.” Maybe you remember there was a “my side” to your last first date? Was the person you played really you? We can’t wait to see the human Tanzillo thinks she is in “Tell Me About You.” She has shown us her talent in popular local storytelling and standup shows. ETCETERA Late-Night shows explore new and avant-garde styles of theater featuring local actors and novel themes. Advance reservations recommended.

10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Saturday, March 11, Live Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road, livetheatreworkshop.org, $10

FOR KIDS: “MONIQUE’S BALLOON” IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

The Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s TSO String Quartet presents a children’s program featuring a composition by the TSO’s second trumpet player, Betsy Bright. In the story, a curious bear cub ends up in an unexpected place— aboard a hot-air balloon with young Monique. The two become friends while adventuring their way back home to their families.

10 a.m. in English, 11:15 a.m. in Spanish, Saturday, March 4, Tucson Symphony Center, 2175 N. Sixth Avenue, tucsonsymphony.org, free, reservations encouraged

HISTORIC TUCSON TROLLEY TOUR

Consider this your introduction to Tucson, no matter how long you’ve lived here. The tour is a whirlwind around Tucson treasures with local guides. See The Mercado, Downtown historic mansions, the University of Arizona, significant murals, Fourth Avenue, the train station, the barrios, the downtown area, cultural features, cool restaurants and bars and more. Make reservations early. These tours routinely sell out.

8:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 4, The Mercado Annex, 267 S. Avenida

LAUGHING STOCK STEVEN BRIGGS IS A GIFT

By Linda Ray Tucson Weekly Columnist

Brown Thrasher can mimic up to 2,000 sounds. Apparently it’s advantageous for mate-seeking male Brown Thrashers to excel at pretending they’re something that they’re not.

But what a random gift it is for a human to be brilliant at imitating everything they hear. How did that sort of thing help bring the human race out of the stone age?

Possibly by making us laugh.

Comedian Steven Briggs is fundamentally a storyteller. His stories are picture books in which the images are crafted from tempo, physicality and mind-blowingly sophisticated sound effects. If his material would be improved by a train, he makes a train. The train comes from a distance, passes us and we may even hear a whistle heading on down the track. We can follow dub step beats from outside the front door, into the middle of the party, up the stairs and into the bathroom, where, in one of our favorite storyline twists, he catches his roommate in a compromising position.

Briggs said he learned early in life what fun it is to make people laugh. He and his brothers, one close in age and another 15 years older, routinely shared funny stories to keep themselves entertained in a religious household that severely circumscribed TV and movie watching.

Family friends thought he was hilarious, but he said he barely knew what standup is until he turned 21.

“A friend of my mom’s thought I was funny, and he took me to a comedy show. (The emcee said) ‘Next up is Steven Briggs,’ and I thought, ‘There must be another Steven Briggs in here’.”

The crowd showed him enough love that he got his first paid gig out of it. Without the benefit of beginner’s luck, though, he tanked. The promoter was decent enough to pay him $15, anyway.

“After that I was, ‘I guess I’ll do this until I figure out what I’m going to do.’”

There followed a period of odd jobs and as many paid comedy gigs as he could find. A move to LA led to more of the same, but the odd jobs then included bit parts in movies and TV. Might you remember “sneezing man” in that one episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm”?

Behind the scenes he found a passion for filmmaking, and became an apprentice, of sorts, to some of the best in the business.

When he finally figured out what he “was going to do,” comedy turned out to be his ticket. “A friend recommended me for a USO tour,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I’d never really (left) the country except to go to the dentist in Tijuana.”

On the USO tour, he said, “I got to really see outside of the U.S. I’d never thought about that before. ‘Wow, I can see the country and get paid for it! This is awesome.’ So, then I started just exploring a lot overseas.”

Briggs tours internationally every year now. Constantly writing, rewriting and tweaking his comedy, he’s found some of his best stories and most memorable characters on the road. “I have a lot of free time when I’m at airports. I get fixated on jokes I’m working on and how to make them just a little bit better, just even a percentage better. I really want to get it to that next level.

“I look at stories like paintings and each thing that you can do is a different color in your palette,” he said. “So maybe (physicality) is one color in the palette. Timing is another color and sound effects are another color. The more colors you have, the more vibrant you can make your (art).”

Briggs was already writing comedy as much as possible when he decided to add sounds. He found that he was able to cre-

STEVEN BRIGGS SOUNDS OUT THE FUNNY AT LAUGHS. (STEVEN BRIGGS/SUBMITTED)

ate them as easily as he could sneeze.

“The first sound I discovered I could make was dubstep music. It has this really aggressive sound to it, but, to me, it just sounds like the way my dad talks. He has a vocal range that sounds like that.” When he demonstrates, his dad sounds just like the metal-grinding sub-bass of a dubstep beat.

He’s from the Bronx (where Briggs and his brothers grew up), so he already has a rough voice. And then he smoked cigarettes with no filter.”

His father, a veteran and engineer, and his mother, a correctional officer in jails, were both raised in the Bronx. They sent the boys to military school to learn discipline and values, and, we imagine, to keep them off the streets.

Right now, Briggs lives in LA, doing a lot of what he calls “just regular touring,” but he adds, “It’s kind of expanded into this whole other thing. I do a lot of content creation. I film and edit every day.” He posts content to all the socials, and the sketch comedy he posts for his YouTube channel is a hit. Those videos regularly draw as many as 100,000 views.

MUSIC

GIMME ABBA

Mania pays tribute to the great Swedish rock/pop group

By Laura Latzko Tucson Weekly Contributor

Swedish rock/pop group ABBA rose to fame in 1974 with its song “Waterloo” and continued with “The Winner Takes It All,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Fernando,” “Dancing Queen” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man after Midnight).”

The group’s music inspired the popular jukebox musical “Mamma Mia!”

London-based Mania: The ABBA Tribute gives audiences a full ABBA experience, complete with choreography and music inspired by the group.

The tour will visit Tucson’s Rialto Theatre on Friday, March 3, and the Mesa Arts Center on Saturday, March 4.

The tribute show was founded in 1999 and had its first performances in 2000.

It received the 2002 Radio Regenbogen Award for Best Musical and has been performed in London’s West End.

In 2004, performers from the show were featured during a TV special honoring the anniversary of “Waterloo,” which was broadcast throughout Europe and included ABBA band members and “Mamma Mia!” stars.

In the tribute show, performers from around the world portray ABBA band members Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson.

Liverpool-born Alison Ward, who portrays Fältskog, has a mathematics degree from Leeds University, but she has performed most of her life. She has

recorded original music and toured in Germany and appeared in music videos and TV shows on the BBC and MTV.

Along with the ABBA tribute, she also does a solo show “All by Myself” on cruise ships, where she performs different genres of music.

Ward joined the ABBA tour in 2010.

Growing up, she listened to ABBA songs, but doing the tribute has given her an even greater appreciation for the band.

Describing herself as a “big fan,” Ward watched videos online to prepare for the Mania gig.

“Watching clips of ABBA in the past, videos that were available to watch them perform, it was quite good to be able to get into the ABBA vibe a lot easier,” Ward says.

In portraying Fältskog, Ward works hard to stay true to her movements, vocal style and choreography.

“I try to keep it to how she did the songs, very accurate to her. The same with the dance moves. I don’t get too carried away because she always did smaller steps, very simple dance moves,” Ward says.

The costumes, too, fit with the group and time period.

“We try to re-enact as much as we can to make it as realistic as possible,” Ward says.

The show highlights ABBA’s greatest hits, along with one lesser song called “I’ve Been Waiting for You.” Ward is featured on this song.

“It’s such a beautiful song that I love to perform,” Ward says.

During one emotional portion of the show, Ward sings the hit song “Winner Takes It All.”

“It’s quite a big moment. It’s quite a

IN THE TRIBUTE SHOW MANIA, PERFORMERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD PORTRAY ABBA BAND MEMBERS. THE TOUR WILL VISIT THE MESA ARTS CENTER ON SATURDAY, MARCH 4. (MARK SENIOR/SUBMITTED)

dramatic song. I try and make sure I portray it as she did,” Ward says.

Although she has been performing in the show for over a decade, Wards still enjoys singing ABBA’s music every night.

“I’ve been doing these songs for nearly 14 years, and honestly, I’m not bored of them in any way,” Ward says. The performances often have a party vibe where audiences respond to their favorite songs.

“Everyone is so lovely. Everyone loves the music, supports it. They all want to meet us after the show,” Ward says.

“It’s guaranteed the audience will have a great time and will be joining in with all of the dancing and singing.”

Mania: The ABBA Tribute

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, March 3 WHERE: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson COST: Tickets start at $27.50 INFO: 520-740-1000, rialtotheatre.com

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4 WHERE: Ikeda Theater, Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa COST: Tickets start at $25. INFO: 480-644-6560, mesaartscenter.com

CHOW

SWEET CHALLENGE

‘Spring Baking Championship’ gives UA chef a place to shine

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Tucson Weekly Staff

Manja Blackwood keeps her head down and serves as UA’s executive sous chef.

On Monday, March 6, Blackwood will take centerstage on the Food Network’s “Spring Baking Championship,” which streams the same day on Discovery+. The show has already finished filming, but Blackwood couldn’t reveal much about her time there.

“I loved it,” Blackwood confessed. “Everybody was very friendly. I loved the staff. It was the first time I’ve done something like this. I would love to do it again for sure, if something comes up. “It’s a heck of an experience.”

An East Germany native, Blackwood attended culinary school in West Germany. After an internship, at age 21, she moved to Arizona, where she worked at several hotels and resorts.

Now at the UA, she oversees the bakery with a team that produces everything sweet. Culinary talent runs in her family, as her grandparents started a café and ice cream shop that was passed down to her mother.

Blackwood said her family’s love of baking keeps her passionate.

“I always think food brings the family together,” she said. “That’s how it was for the holidays with my family. We get the chance to experience the holiday,

get together and feel the warmth, especially around Christmastime or springtime. Food is always interesting — all around the world.”

“Spring Baking Championship”

7 p.m. Monday, March 6 Food Network, Discovery+ foodnetwork.com/springbakingchampionship

MANJA BLACKWOOD, UA’S EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF, COULDN’T REVEAL MUCH ABOUT HER TIME ON THE FOOD NETWORK’S “SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP.” (FOOD NETWORK/SUBMITTED)

Spring Baking Championship is hosted by Jesse Palmer, who puts a dozen bakers to the test in 10 episodes featuring challenges involving flowers, garden parties and weddings.

The goal is to win over judges Kardea Brown, Nancy Fuller and Duff Goldman.

“Food Network’s annual baking series celebrates the season with visually stunning, edible creations and spirited competition between the incredible bakers,” said Betsy Ayala, head of content, food, Warner Bros. Discovery.

“Monday nights have become appointment viewing for fans for this reason and they are in for a treat with a double-stacked night of spring baking skill and craftsmanship.”

“Spring Baking Championship” kicks off with a two-hour episode at 7 p.m., when Blackwood and the 11 other bakers enter the “Spring Baking” kitchen to make over the desserts that made them fall in love with baking.

In the finale, the three remaining bakers must design and create a dream wedding cake for a real couple. In the end, one baker is crowned the new “Spring Baking” champion and takes home the cash prize and a spot in Food Network Magazine.

To learn about the contestants, viewers can visit foodnetwork.com/springbakingchampionship. “Spring Baking Championship” is coupled with “Spring Baking Championship: Easter.”

Blackwood works out of a commercial kitchen in the Student Union Memorial Center’s basement. She and her staff make goods for 32 restaurants across the University of Arizona campus.

Last summer, Blackwood and her team created gluten-free and allergen-friendly items. In 2022, the staff opened Cactus Grill on the third level of the Student Union Memorial Center. It offers hot breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, soups, grilled sandwiches, stir-fry bowls, barbecue, a salad bar and made-to-order sushi.

“We do a lot of catering on campus, too,” she said.

“I do love what I do, creating new things and presenting them. It’s a lot of work, but we have fun with it. Some people don’t know we have a bakery on campus.”

Being on “Spring Baking Championship” was the ultimate way of networking, Blackwood said.

“I befriended people from different areas and backgrounds,” she said.

“It was kind of nice. I built friendships. If I need a recipe, I can ask if they have any idea of how I can do that. It’s nice to ask questions of someone.”

MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

By Connor Dziawura Tucson Weekly

MARCH 1

Dos Argentés, Bright Bright and Viané Club Congress, 7:30 p.m., $10

Eric Johnson

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $29-$36

Joe Bourne Sings Nat King Cole

The Century Room, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $15-$25

Mysterious Babies

The Century Room, 7 p.m., $10

Oscar Fuentes

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

191 Toole, 8 p.m., $26

MARCH 2

The Basements

Club Congress, 7:30 p.m., $5-$8 Brice Winston and Outward Bound

The Century Room, 9 p.m., free-$10

Freddy Parish

LaCo Tucson, 6 p.m., free Mitchell/Nakanishi/Saxe/Swan

The Century Room, 7 p.m., free-$10

Riley Green

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., sold out Smidley, Dominic Angelella and Orchadia Groundworks, 7 p.m., $10

MARCH 3

Arcoiris Sandoval

The Century Room, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $20-$30

Greg Morton and Jim Stanley

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

Holy Faint

Club Congress, 8:30 p.m., $10-$12

MANIA: The ABBA Tribute

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $27.50-$64.50

N8NOFACE

191 Toole, 7:30 p.m., $15

Rubee, Lunar Excursion Module, Isaiah Sparks and Solstice Alfie Groundworks, 7 p.m., $10

MARCH 4

Arcoiris Sandoval

The Century Room, 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.,

$15-$20

Bob Bauer

LaCo Tucson, 11 a.m., free

Charles Ellsworth, Haymarket Squares, Gnoolie and Coffin Hotbox

Groundworks, 7 p.m., $10

Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $26-$38

DJ Dan

191 Toole, 8 p.m., $20

John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell

Fox Tucson Theatre, 7:30 p.m.,

$27.50-$52.50

Nathaniel Burnside

LaCo Tucson, 6 p.m., free

The Queen’s Cartoonists

Hotel Congress Plaza, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25

Sharon Owens (Barbra Streisand tribute)

DesertView Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.,

$30

Susan Artemis

The Century Room, 6 p.m., free

MARCH 5

GeminiiDragon

Hotel Congress Plaza, 4 p.m., $10

Loolowingen, Kulululu, Peanut Penpals and Rats in the Hallway Groundworks, 7 p.m., $10

Mik and the Funky Brunch

LaCo Tucson, 11 a.m., free

Paul Cherry and The Mattson 2 Club Congress, 7:30 p.m., $20.60

Ray Templin Trio

The Century Room, 4 p.m., $20-$25

MARCH 6

NO SHOWS SCHEDULED

MARCH 7

Jane’s Addiction

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $96.50-$129.50

Lucky Devils Band

Hotel Congress Plaza, 8 p.m., free

Miss Lana Rebel and Kevin Michael Mayfield

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

Steve Roach

The Century Room, 7 p.m., $10-$15

Thee Sacred Souls

191 Toole, 8 p.m., $25

MARCH 8

Eddie 9V

Hotel Congress Plaza, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15

Legacy

DesertView Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m., $30

Legendary Shack Shakers Club Congress, 7:30 p.m., $18-$22

Mysterious Babies

The Century Room, 7 p.m., $10

Oscar Fuentes

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

Pearl Earl, System Exclusive, Langsuara and New Misphoria

Groundworks, 7 p.m., $10

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Fox Tucson Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $37.50-$67.50

del Convento, limoport.com/tripstours, $40

EMPTY BOWLS

This popular annual event showcases the work of local potters and ceramic artists in a sale that benefits programs serving our homeless and hungry neighbors. Choose your favorite bowl from among more than a thousand. What you pay for it helps support Interfaith Community Services. Local restaurants donate their signature soups breads and desserts for your lunch. You can also participate in ICS’ silent auction for even more treasures and treats.

Whether or not you attend, you can join the auction online starting March 3.

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road, icstucson.org/ emptybowls, $25

TUCSON BOYS CHORUS CLASSIC CONCERT

LAUGHING

STOCK FROM PAGE 11

Notably, for all his imitation prowess, Briggs never descends to caricature or offensive stereotypes. “I’m playing people I know. And when I tell stories, I think the driving force is that the character is in the story with me, right now. I play myself and I play the character.”

Recently, in Berlin, he was inspired to adopt a “foreign” accent to heighten a story about a particular German he met there. “The guy I met is very specific,” he said. “I do the mannerisms.

“When I meet someone I find very compelling, for some reason I absorb some of their mannerisms and it’s easy for me to do them. It’s not easy for me to do a celebrity impression.”

A NEW WAVELAB SHOW FEATURES REBECCA TINGLEY. (REBECCA TINGLEY FOX/SUBMITTED)

Long-time director Julian Ackerley and the Tucson Boys Chorus present their annual classic concert, including selections from renowned composers of Renaissance, Baroque and classical music. A string trio will accompany more modern works. The Arizona Repertory Singers are featured performing their own set and joining the Boys Chorus and its Young Men’s Ensemble to perform Sarah Quartel’s five-movement work, “Snow Angel.”

7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, Our Mother of Sorrows Church, 1800 S. Kolb Road, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 7570 N. Thornydale Road, boyschorus.org, tickets start at $15 online.

At this point, he felt inspired to mimic the distance-softened chirp of a bird we hadn’t noticed in the back yard. Once we heard Briggs, we also heard the bird.

Steven Briggs, La ’s Comedy Ca e, 2900 E. Broadway Boulevard. 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, and 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, la stucson.com, $15, $20 preferred seating

OTHER SHOWS THIS WEEK

p.m. Open Mic.; 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, Improv Jam; 7:30 p.m. “The Soapbox” with Rachael Parker; 9 p.m. Stand Up Showcase; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, “Tastebuds” and “Finding the Words;” 9 p.m. “Improv Madness.”

Wavelab, 111 S. Sixth Avenue, $10, “Burnout Turnout” Comedy and Music, Steven Black hosts Chris Quinn, Jesus Otamendi, Rebecca Fox, Joey Gaynor, Anthony Jenkins. @tucsonweekly

Tucson Improv Movement/TIM

Comedy Theatre, 414 E. Ninth Street, tucsonimprov.com, $7 each show, $10 for both shows, same night, free jam and open mic. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, Improv 101 Showcase; 8:30

Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speedway Boulevard. unscrewedtheatre.org, $8, live or remote, $5 kids. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, From the Top Improvised Musical; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, Family Friendly Improv; 9 p.m. The Backyard Improv Playground (pay what you will admission)

CLAYTOONZ By Clay Jones

SONORAN CANNABIS EXPO TICKETS ON SALE

By Tucson Weekly Staff

Tickets are on sale for Earth’s Healing’s first Sonoran Cannabis Expo in Downtown Tucson.

Naturally, it’s on Thursday, April 20.

The event will feature Southern Arizona dispensaries, growers, suppliers, activists and entertainers for an afternoon and evening celebration centered around the local cannabis industry.

The afternoon begins at 4 p.m. when Whistle Stop Depot at 127 W. Fifth Street will showcase a variety of local vendors until 7 p.m. Those include Earth’s Healing, Growers House, Athena Nutrients, Prime Leaf, Southern Arizona NORML, Halo Infusions and Wynk.

There will also be panel conversations,

sampling, activities and food options. Attendees and vendors can network within the Southern Arizona cannabis community.

The Hotel Congress will open its doors to the Sonoran Cannabis Expo at 7 p.m. when attendees can see live music from rising country star Dougie Poole, Brooklyn wordsmith RXKNephew, or Tucson’s favorite Grateful Dead cover band, Top Dead Center.

In partnership with Southern Arizona NORML, a portion of all Sonoran Cannabis Expo proceeds will support expungement clinics in Southern Arizona. Tickets for Whistle Stop Depot and Hotel Congress are on sale at sonorancannabisexpo.com

BLOOM TUCSON

South: 2075 E. Benson Highway

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

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

HALO CANNABIS

7710 S. Wilmot Road

520-664-2251; thegreenhalo.org

Open: 7 a.m. to 10 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

TYPE O NEGATIVE CBD TINCTURE IS THE REAL DEAL

By Evan Maharry Tucson Weekly Staff

Fans of the goth metal band Type O Negative were skeptical when they heard Whole Organix was releasing a CBD product named after the long-separated act.

Type O disbanded when frontman Peter Steele died from heart failure in 2010. They have re-released a few albums over the years, including their final collection, “Dead Again,” last fall.

“A lot of people kind of thought it was a joke, or ‘is this real’ type of thing,” said collaborator Joe Fazzio, an industry veteran and co-founder of the band Superjoint Ritual, who was also an acquaintance of the “Drab Four.”

The limited edition Whole Organix Type O Negative Blackberry No. 1 CBD oil ($75) comes in a sleek black cannister emblazoned with the band’s icon-

ic green circular logo. The tincture is blood red and blackberry flavored.

It’s the first in a planned line of CBD products from Whole Organix.

“I am a true believer that it helps folks in many different fashions. If it’s sleep, if it’s anxiety... it can work a bunch of different ways. I’ve had success with it,” Fazzio said.

The 3,000-milligram container of full spectrum oil can be used to relieve stress or be kept as a collectible.

Fazzio said he thought of honoring Type O Negative after running into the collective’s drummer Johnny Kelly. He was doing a drum key for the brand with Fazzio’s old drum key company.

“Johnny and I always ran into each other and Johnny was pretty much the most active member of the band, I

WHOLE ORGANIX RECENTLY RELEASED THE LIMITEDEDITION TYPE O NEGATIVE BLACKBERRY NO. 1 CBD OIL. (WHOLE ORGANIX/SUBMITTED)

would always run into him on the road,” he said.

“So, I reached out to him, I did a Type O Negative drum key. And then I had talked to him and their management about doing a CBD line, doing a couple different items with them. So, we did it and it was well received.”

With thousands sold already a flood of comments on social media, the reception may bring more Type O products, Fazzio said. Regardless, Whole Organix does plan to venture with other artists following the success of the tincture.

“We tried to keep this on brand. we thought CBD and Type O would be cool.” Fazzio said. “It is real.”

Whole Organix Type O Negative

Blackberry No. 1 CBD oil $75

https://wholeorganix.com/ type-o-negative/

SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. seeks Civil Eng’r in Tucson, AZ to work in mining industry, incl civil aspects of dsgn, construction, tailings characterization, & mine reclamation/closure.

Req’mnts: Master’s or foreign equiv in Civil Eng’r or rel. field & 2 yrs of exp in job offered or rel. occupation: performing civil dsgns in AutoCAD Civil 3D, incl spatial dsgn, grading, & dsgn iterations; conducting material take-offs in AutoCAD Civil 3D & Microsoft Excel; drafting figures & drawings in AutoCAD Civil 3D; performing hydrologic & hydraulic calculations. Telecommuting &/or working from home may be permissible pursuant to company policies. When not telecommuting, must report to work site. Spanish language in tchncl environment, both written & spoken, is req’d to work in projects in Latin America. We have projects in Mexico, Central, & S. America. 25% trvl req’d. Pls email resume to mjacksack@srk.com. Ref: SS011723LA.

We’re located about 30 minutes from NW Tucson and Casa Grande. We offer a great work atmosphere, comparable wages, and benefits! Apply Now! Interested applicants, please contact: Mayra Martinez at: mmartinez@redrockschools.com

Specializing in match-making through Asian Fung Shui principles. Consultations available in person or over the phone. Please call AIKO at (520) 225-7201 Looking forward to seeing you!

Edited by Will Shortz

Key piece of an overlock sewing machine

PUZZLE BY KANYIN AJAYI

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny. 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)

In 1993, I began work on my memoirish novel “The Televisionary Oracle.” It took me seven years to finish. The early part of the process was tough. I generated a lot of material I didn’t like. Then one day, I discovered an approach that liberated me: I wrote about aspects of my character and behavior that needed improvement. Suddenly everything clicked, and my fruitless adventure transformed into a fluidic joy. Soon I was writing about other themes and experiences. But dealing with self-correction was a key catalyst. Are there any such qualities in yourself you might benefit from tackling, Aries? If so, I recommend you try my approach.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)

Two Taurus readers complained that my horoscopes contain too much poetry and flair to be useful. In response, I’m offering you a prosaic message. It’s all true, though in a way that’s more like a typical horoscope. (I wonder if this approach will spur your emotional intelligence and your soul’s lust for life, which are crucial areas of growth for you these days.) Anyway, here’s the oracle: Take a risk and extend feelers to interesting people outside your usual sphere. But don’t let your social adventures distract you from your ambitions, which also need your wise attention. Your complex task: Mix work and play; synergize business and pleasure.

GEMINI (MAY

21-JUNE 20)

Astrologer Jessica Shepherd advises us to sidle up to the Infinite Source of Life and say, “Show me what you’ve got.” When we do, we often get lucky. That’s because the Infinite Source of Life delights in bringing us captivating paradoxes. Yes and no may both be true in enchanting ways. Independence and interdependence can interweave to provide us with brisk teachings. If we dare to experiment with organized wildness and aggressive receptivity, our awareness will expand, and our heart will open. What about it, Gemini? Are you interested in the charming power that comes from engaging with cosmic

contradictions? Now’s a favorable time to do so. Go ahead and say, “Show me what you’ve got” to the Infinite Source of Life.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22)

“Only a lunatic would dance when sober,” declared the ancient Roman philosopher Cicero. As a musician who loves to dance, I reject that limiting idea—especially for you. In the upcoming weeks, I hope you will do a lot of dancing-while-sober. Singing-while-sober, too. Maybe some crying-for-joy-while-sober, as well as freewheeling-your-way-through-unpredictable-conversations-while-sober and cavorting-and-reveling-while-sober. My point is that there is no need for you to be intoxicated as you engage in revelry. Even further: It will be better for your soul’s long-term health if you are lucid and clearheaded as you celebrate this liberating phase of extra joy and pleasure.

LEO

(JULY 23-AUG. 22)

Poet Mary Oliver wondered whether the soul is solid and unbreakable, like an iron bar. Or is it tender and fragile, like a moth in an owl’s beak? She fantasized that maybe it’s shaped like an iceberg or a hummingbird’s eye. I am poetically inclined to imagine the soul as a silver diadem bedecked with emeralds, roses, and live butterflies. What about you, Leo? How do you experience your soul? The coming weeks will be a ripe time to home in on this treasured part of you. Feel it, consult with it, feed it. Ask it to surprise you!

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)

According to the color consultant company Pantone, Viva Magenta is 2023’s color of the year. According to me, Viva Magenta is the lucky hue and power pigment for you Virgos during the next ten months. Designer Amber Guyton says that Viva Magenta “is a rich shade of red that is both daring and warm.” She adds that its “purple undertone gives it a warmth that sets it apart from mere red and makes it more versatile.” For your purposes, Virgo, Viva

Magenta is earthy and exciting; nurturing and inspiring; soothing yet arousing. The coming weeks will be a good time to get the hang of incorporating its spirit into your life.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22)

If you are not working to forge a gritty solution, you may be reinforcing a cozy predicament. If you’re not expanding your imagination to conjure up fresh perspectives, you could be contributing to some ignorance or repression. If you’re not pushing to expose dodgy secrets and secret agendas, you might be supporting the whitewash. Know what I’m saying, Libra? Here’s a further twist. If you’re not peeved about the times you have wielded your anger unproductively, you may not use it brilliantly in the near future. And I really hope you will use it brilliantly.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21)

Storyteller Martin Shaw believes that logic and factual information are not enough to sustain us. To nourish our depths, we need the mysterious stories provided by myths and fairy tales. He also says that conventional hero sagas starring big, strong, violent men are outmoded. Going forward, we require wily, lyrical tales imbued with the spirit of the Greek word *metis*, meaning “divine cunning in service to wisdom.” That’s what I wish for you now, Scorpio. I hope you will tap into it abundantly. As you do, your creative struggles will lead to personal liberations. For inspiration, read myths and fairy tales.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)

Many astrologers don’t give enough encouragement to you Sagittarians on the subject of home. I will compensate for that. I believe it’s a perfect time to prioritize your feelings of belonging and your sense of security. I urge you to focus energy on creating serenity and stability for yourself. Honor the buildings and lands you rely on. Give extra appreciation to the people you regard as your family and tribe. Offer blessings to the community that supports you.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)

If you are like 95 percent of the popu-

lation, you weren’t given all the love and care you needed as a child. You may have made adaptations to partly compensate for this lack, but you are still running a deficit. That’s the bad news, Capricorn. The good news is that the coming weeks will be a favorable time to overcome at least some of the hurt and sadness caused by your original deprivation. Life will offer you experiences that make you feel more at home in the world and at peace with your destiny and in love with your body. Please help life help you! Make yourself receptive to kindness and charity and generosity.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)

The philosopher Aldous Huxley was ambitious and driven. Author of almost 50 books, he was a passionate pacifist and explorer of consciousness. He was a visionary who expressed both dystopian and utopian perspectives. Later in his life, though, his views softened. “Do not burn yourselves out,” he advised readers. “Be as I am: a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it.” Now I’m offering you Huxley’s counsel, Aquarius. As much as I love your zealous idealism and majestic quests, I hope that in the coming weeks, you will recharge yourself with creature comforts.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)

Piscean author and activist W. E. B. Dubois advised us to always be willing to give up what we are. Why? Because that’s how we transform into a deeper and stronger version of ourselves. I think you would benefit from using his strategy. My reading of the astrological omens tells me that you are primed to add through subtraction, to gain power by shedding what has become outworn and irrelevant. Suggested step one: Identify dispiriting self-images you can jettison. Step two: Visualize a familiar burden you could live without. Step three: Drop an activity that bores you. Step four: Stop doing something that wastes your time.