Tucson Weekly 10.27.22

ADMINISTRATION

Steve T. Strickbine, Publisher

Michael Hiatt, Vice President

Tyler Vondrak, Associate Publisher, tyler@tucsonlocalmedia.com

Claudine Sowards, Accounting, claudine@tucsonlocalmedia.com

EDITORIAL

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: David Abbott, Brian Box Brown, Rob Brezsny, Max Cannon, Rand Carlson, Cameron Chester, Clay Jones, Laura Latzko, Andy Mosier, Xavier Otero, Dan Perkins, Linda Ray, Will Shortz Brian Smith, Jen Sorensen

PRODUCTION

Courtney Oldham, Production Manager, tucsonproduction@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

Tyler Vondrak, Account Executive tvondrak@timespublications.com

NATIONAL

Zac Reynolds, Director of

Zac@timespublications.com

Rand Carlson

image of Herb Stratford. Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez.

ARE UNITED!

THE FOOTBALL SLIDES OFF HIS fingertips, and Federico (“Fred”) Torrez shouts, “I know! Butterfinger hands.” A hot wind gusts and his forehead glistens with sweat.

Children step in and out of Torrez’s shadow, cut across the green field, air seasoned with bermuda grass and the previous night’s rain. Kids toss cornhole bags far and away from their targets, a set of 5-year-old twins show off hula hoop skills. Tiny legs push tricycle peddles on a sidewalk, hair clips on careening girls catch the sun. Several parents mill about in tree shade, and the children, grade-school age and younger, Native, Hispanic, white, Black, special needs, laugh and screech, exuding the kind of joyful momentum that makes the goddamned world go ’round. Kids don’t segregate over skin hues, don’t know prejudice, there is no prejudgment, just total strangers who

straightaway engage with one another in a devoted way, gliding above adult-world presets to discover common ground on, say, a giant Connect 4 game.

The two overseers of this controlled chaos, Torrez, a 55-year-old Hispanic gentleman, and an 18-year-old half-Russian kid, Ian Sommer, wear neon lime-green uniform shirts emblazoned with Ready, Set, Rec! logos, and their movements, in the morning sun, click together seamlessly in the familiar track of children. Theirs is an uncanny ability to inspire kids to share, catch, chuck, score and spin. Today, in a section of Tucson’s Freedom park, on a few dozen mobile games and toys, which rise from the grass with inexorable gravitational pull, the work partners engage 40 or so children in two hours.

Ready, Set, Rec!’s home base is the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department.

The program launched early last year after Mayor Regina Romero and the City Council signed off, using federal CARES Act funds to pay for six matching vans, one for each ward of Tucson, and equipment. Bigger events figure in too, where, sometimes, all six vans appear. Each is essentially a self-contained, two-person mobile recreation unit that heads out daily to rotating area parks to engage children outdoors for free, a few hours at a time. In some cases, it is a chance for children to play on things their families could never afford. And it is COVID-safe. From this vantage, it is pretty genius.  Torrez and Sommer are here because,

well, they are paid to be, but their presence accounts for more. For them, the work is both restorative and inspiring, even healing. Because of that, the two transmit a certain empathy and energy to the kids. In these moments it is hard to imagine Torrez and Sommer attending to their own lives after their work is done here today, even as wildly different as they are. Either one of them would make great teachers.

“It really is about how you feel the effects of the people around you,” Sommer says, “a perfect example is working with

Ian Sommer, far left, and Federico Torrez, far right, with neighborhood twins, Josiah and Joviana Ross.

kids and we want everyone to play with us, even the parents, that’s when it’s the most fun.”

He tells of the easily frightened kids who “runaway screaming” when drawn near. “You learn how to approach kids, earn trust, and you develop ways to inter act,” he says, pauses. “You’re very influen tial, really.”

Sommer steps to the side, settles onto a shaded picnic table. Torrez takes over the playing field solo, a lull in the number of children circling at the moment, yet the endeavor still requires specific attention. Sommer, wearing sunglasses, bandana headband, is slender, and he’s built like the high-school tennis star he was. A few teen pimples controvert manly facial hair. Things about Sommer learned quickly: He introduces himself in Russian. When he reverts back to English, it is obvious his words rise from a well of self-assur ance. A tennis injury killed his schol arship to a good school (“I was set on moving to Cali, everything paid for; that was a low point”). He was an award-win ning theater kid at Sabino High, and children at some parks recognize him;

he toured Tucson elementary schools in his high-school improv group. He wears a necklace he got after discovering his old girlfriend cheated on him with a friend. It displays a feather dangling from an an tique coin with a Native American image. For him it means he must “keep pushing forward, so you can do more good.” He’s been at this city job for a year and a half, before that McDonalds. One night while working the drive-thru window he got robbed. He didn’t feel anything; no fear or panic, no sadness or even alarm, as if his life slotted into nothing. “I could tell the other guy wasn’t feeling anything either. It’s no way to live.” The teenager is selfaware enough to understand that fastfood work numbed him out completely; work had to be better. And he got the job with the City.

He carries himself like a guy much old er than one who graduated high school in May this year, like he’s armed with deeper perceptions of the human spirit and maybe a comprehension of how cru el some people can be. He ought to know, not long after his mother, Roza Adams, arrived in Tucson, Arizona around ’01, she married an addict who would, among other high lowlights, steal her money, and she would starve because of it, blackout in the show er when she was pregnant with Sommer, her only son. She left him.

Sommer idolizes his mother, and tells how his mom had left her Moscow home at 21 after college. She landed in New York City not knowing a lick of English, which she taught herself. Stretches of Ian’s Tucson childhood mem ories involving his moth er being home are scarce because she had to work, hard. Waitress, bank teller, anything. He even attend ed Tucson City Parks pro grams, similar to the one he works now.

He doesn’t speak to his biological dad, who now lives in another state. (“It’s

Ready, Set, Rec! work partners Federico Torrez, left, and Ian Sommer.

the traumas to my mom I can’t really look past.”)

In the distance, Torrez chats with a man pushing a stroller, the rush of kids has waned.

Sommer continues, “Here’s where my mom gets cool. She learned photography, and would do side gigs; she shot weddings, school yearbooks, sports pictures, and she eventually entered real-estate school, graduated and worked for three different companies at the same time. She learned Spanish, is now learning Mandarin, while working seven days a week.”

Sommer attends college, business major. Keen to get into sales, he is thinking medical equipment, because, in a way, it contributes to the greater good. “I want to sell something that doesn’t make me feel bad afterwards.”

A minute later Sommer is jarred back to work when more kids randomly appear at the play things. He hops from the picnic table and breaks into a run. It is spectacle to see him engage the kids, the communication, the intuitive nature, the boundless, theater-trained kid energy.

“Working with kids,” he tells me later, “I wonder often about how people act, and why do they act that way. I think how people end up the way they do. Looking back, if my biological dad was still raising me, I wouldn’t be a good person. So, I often wonder when I watch these kids, how is their experience, and can I become a

good step in that experience and what do I have to do? Within this short amount of time, it’s really about showing kids how to be respectful, how to have fun, how to share.”

TORREZ AND SOMMER BEGIN tearing down the sets, and retrieve the various balls, jump ropes and scoop-andtosses, the kids still playing will have to move on soon. Torrez says the only toy they lost was a frisbee able to go 400 yards. “It went 400 yards, all right, we never saw it again.”

Torrez has six children of his own, ages 18 to 31, and eight grandchildren. He knows a thing or two about young people and it shows in kind. He shows some graybeard on his 55-year-old face. He grew up in California and Texas before settling on Tucson’s eastside with his family as a teen.

“I’m the only one in my family who doesn’t speak Spanish well,” He laughs. He remembers a time when his parents sent him to stay with his grandparents, who only spoke Spanish, so he could learn. He returned home and his parents said, “How’s your Spanish?” and he replied, “I don’t know, but they speak English now!”

I was with one of my daughters when I first met Torrez at another park weeks ago. Something quickly passed between him and my daughter, a few words and a look. It was trust. He greets parents with a firm handshake, direct eye contact. He is gentle, considerate; a family man who worked since he was 19 in electronics. It

is where he met his wife, who he talks of as a true partner, and laughs, “she’s tough, if you ever saw her, whoa!” He began this job, up to 39 hours a week, after getting laid off from his last longtime employer Texas Instruments, where, as an electronics technician he worked on everything from traffic-light controller boxes and hospital equipment to pieces for Japanese bullet trains and space shuttles.

Torrez decided against hunting for another well-paying electronics job, this gig was to be a stop-gap, which began eight months ago. He hopes it’ll kick in fulltime.

He talks of family and a deep socket of sadness opens inside him. Two of his siblings died young, a sister in ’08 and a brother in ’15, and his father, with whom he was very close, died of cancer last year.

“I thought he was going to make it.” He remembers dad’s last Christmas, when he was fine, dressed in a Santa outfit. He stops, wet fills his eyes. His work with children emphasizes the kid lurking inside, their joy a reproach to pain of his dad’s death. A moment later, he adds, “That’s the reason I’m here, my father. It helps, it helps a lot. Like meditation.”

FEW THINGS IN LIFE ARE

sadder than telling kids, even those prone to surly fits, that playtime is over, and Torrez and Sommer agree. One child whirls a rope ball for a ladder toss game and his face scrunches into a frown, his shoulders drop, and he says to Sommer, “please, longer?” Minutes later he scuffles over to his dad who’s attempting to engage him with his own football. A pair of happy, careless sisters with spectacularly long black hair hold on to hula hoops as long as they can. A few mothers collect their children with tender hands on small backs, whispers in ears. In the 20 minutes it takes to pack up and load the van, Torrez and Sommer are the amiable shepherds saying goodbye.

The toys and games erected and placed across a quarter acre are all soon sanitized and stored in module-like containers, filling the back of the sparkling, custom painted Ready, Set, Rec! mini-van number four. It’s hyper organized, mathematical, and ready to be driven back to the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department for another day at another park.

Ready, Set, Rec!

Federico Torrez engages kids.

TEATRO CARMEN RENOVATION IS CLOSE TO FRUITION

By Karen Schaffner Tucson Local Media

A 1915 BARRIO VIEJO BUILDING, Teatro Carmen on Meyer Street, is return ing to its roots.

Crews are taking down the stucco en casing the façade to expose the original brick. With it will come a new outdoor, garden venue.

It’s just another step in a major ren ovation for the building, which will be used once again as a theater. This step in the renovation is made possible by a $350,000 Heritage Fund grant awarded by Arizona State Parks and Trails. This adds to a $150,000 grant from the non profit Stratford Art Works.

“We’re going back to 1915 here,” said Herb Stratford with Stratford Art Works, which has helmed historic-building resto rations, such as the Fox Tucson Theatre.

Stratford is working with the architec tural firm, Poster Mirto McDonald, and is partnering with Pima County, which owns the structure and the property on which it sits.

Teatro Carmen has a storied history. In 1915, Carmen Soto Vasquez opened it to bring in Spanish-language movies, plays and operas from Mexico and Spain, according to Scott O’Mack, a program manager at the Pima County Cultural Resources and Historic Preservation Di

vision of the Office of Sustainability and Conservation.

The theater closed around 1931, but was purchased by the Black Elks Club, which used the space from the 1940s to the 1980s. The club has its own outdoor entrance, but is connected to the theater by a shared wall. An interior door allows entry to the theater portion.

For the last couple of decades, the space was used as storage for Tucson’s Rollings family, who owned it and is responsible for restoring much of Barrio Viejo.

The theater’s façade is only part of the project. The interior is a large empty space with a worn proscenium and wood bar.

The walls in the Elks Club part of the building have all been removed and what remains is simply the studding. The lights and wiring will be refurbed as well.

Next to that is an empty, enclosed lot where a Chinese grocery store once stood.

The newly restored Teatro Carmen will feature a garden venue where a lot sits vacant. Patrons may sit there in the eve ning while they watch a movie or listen to live music, all while snacking on food truck fare.

“Basically, by next spring the outside

will be done, and then we keep working on the inside,” Stratford said.

One proviso, however. Stratford said it is unlikely there will be restrooms avail able by then.

This is not the first step in this project, which includes watchful eyes for histor ic artifacts. To renovate correctly, crews must study photos. In fact, that is how Stratford knows what the original theater looked like.

He has a photo taken in about 1918 that he found at the Arizona Historical Soci ety. It’s the only photo he’s been able to find of the original building. He also has a flier for an opera and some Spanish lan guage newspaper clippings. Otherwise, nothing.

“This was, frankly, in the brown part of town and so it got less exposure, but in 1915 Tucson was 30,000 people and 15,000 of them were Mexican, and this was the nicest theater in Tucson before the Rialto opened in 1919,” he said.

The infrastructure, such as wiring and plumbing, need to be examined, and ADA codes must be followed. Funding must be secured as well, as the team has been collecting for three years.

There is some concern that passersby may be worried or angry about the chang es to the façade, fearing that a beautiful old relic is being torn down. The current façade, which includes the theater’s name painted on the front and a mural on the Elks Club side, is not, in fact, original.

“(Teatro Carmen) has undergone a lot of changes over the years but there is a lot of historical fabric intact in that façade on that portion of the building,” O’Mack said.

“The original brick façade will be re stored to look as it did at the time it was built in 1915. What’s covering it right now is stucco.”

Stratford added, pointing to the front of the building, “What a lot of people don’t realize about the façade is this.

“That was all done for the movie, ‘Boys on the Side.’ They filmed on the outside here. This was the location of the bar where Whoopi (Goldberg) was playing in the band she was in.”

The plans call for the theater to be a 250- to 300-moveable-seat venue. The space features a flat floor, alluding to a possible orchestra pit. Stratford said if there was, it will be restored. The original tin ceiling will remain.

“We’re going to put a full stage back in and a full fly loft,” Stratford said.

It will be named the Ronstadt Family Stage.

“The family has a 140-year musical his tory in this community,” Stratford added. “I wanted to honor the family. Lalo Guer rero was born in a house down the street, about two blocks, so we’re going to hon or his legacy in some capacity, too. This is important to us, to tell the story of the

The only picture found of Teatro Carmen’s original façade (below) is from about 1918. The current façade with the mural and name was painted for the movie, “Boys on the Side.” (TEATRO CARMEN/SUBMITTED)

building and also of the community that surrounds this building.”

The other structures will also be renewed.

“This left side (the Elks Club side) of the building will have new bathrooms and dressing rooms for the theater,” he added.

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE

What Stratford and lead architect Corky Poster want to acknowledge is the importance of the block’s place in Tucson and neighborhood history.

“All of the work that Herb (Stratford) and Pima County are doing are really to restore the primacy, the really important role of the Teatro Carmen in Barrio Viejo,” Poster said.

“The Teatro Carmen was actually only the Teatro Carmen for a relatively short period of time, probably 15, 16 years, from 1915 to 1931. But it was really, really important during that period of time. It was a brick building when it was that important.

“We thought, from a cultural point of

view and just from an accuracy-of-history point of view, that restoring that façade to how it was the important Teatro Carmen would be the most respectful way to treat that building.”

Stratford added, “In this building there’s not just going to be the Hispanic history, the African American history, but because the Chinese market was on the corner, that’s going to be part of this history, too.

“Really, this is a microcosm of Tucson and that melting pot of different cultures and races in this one block. It was very vibrant.”

Although Poster is the lead architect, he quickly added that others at his firm are working on the project.

Meanwhile, the work progresses. When it is done, Stratford wants the venue to be used for other types of entertainment that might not be found at commercial movie theaters or Downtown.

“Part of my passion is going to be doing film here, maybe silent film or Spanish-language film — things that we’re not seeing anywhere else because there isn’t a place for it or it’s too big or things like that,” he said.

Finally, Stratford is asking for Tucson’s help. He’s looking for photographs, programs or other ephemera that came from the theater, the Black Elks building or the Chinese market.

He wants to tell the building’s history from the point of view of those who used it. He is also interested in oral histories of this particular block of Meyer Street.

“Sometimes it’s buried in grandma’s scrapbook because anybody that was here when it was the Carmen is deceased, because they’d be 100 years old right

now,” he said.

“I think there are next generations who might have things. We have no pictures of the inside of the theater until the late 1950s, early 1960s, and those were by Jack Sheaffer, the Arizona Daily Star photographer. This is very much a work in progress, and we want people to be a part of it. It’s important for us to tell that story.”

Teatro Carmen

teatrocarmen.org/get-involved/

Japanese

The Tucson Museum of Art League presents November 4–6, 2022

3302 E. Speedway, El Rancho Center Tucson, AZ 85716

Friday, 3–6 p.m. (members only) Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

For more information, visit TucsonMuseumofArt.org/TreasureHouse

DERBY LEAGUE STRIVES ON ITS COMPETITIVE NATURE

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Local Media

THE COPPER STATE ROLLER

Derby League has two primary rules— talk about derby and “don’t be a dick.”

Still in its infancy, the local league was founded in July 2021, the “brainchild” of Teia “Weirdo” DeWier, the league pres ident.

“I felt like there was this space to create another league that maybe had different goals,” DeWier said. “We real ly knew that we wanted to have a more recreational league versus a ranked and competitive league.”

Roller Derby is played year-round, and the next mash-up bout is Saturday, Nov. 12, featuring players from around Arizo na split into teams. The theme is Pixar: Monsters Inc. vs. Toy Story. For details on the recreational league bout, visit copperstatederby.com

A former competitive skater, DeWier said that when most people think of der by, they think of big tracks, but only one league like that exists in the state, the Phoenix-based Arizona Derby Dames. The sport abides by two major govern ing boards’ set of rules — the Women’s

Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) or USA Roller Sports (USARS), former ly known as the U.S. Amateur Confed eration of Roller Skating. Copper State sticks with the association’s ground rules.

“I like the competitive nature, but I just really want to have fun and be theatrical and a little dramatic with the bout make up and outfits and be silly,” DeWier said.

Some might recall the 2009 sport-dram edy film, “Whip It,” directed by Drew Barrymore, about the roller derby team the Hurl Scouts, based in Austin.

“Very much of what derby was in 2009, some think track leagues across the country still hold on to that same mental ity,” DeWier said. The sport, which expe rienced a resurgence in the early 2000s, was all about the sexy and fishnets, she said.

“There (weren’t) really penalties,” she said. “You could just kind of have at it. It was like wrestling on wheels.”

The flat track was born out of concerns of cities that might not have had the same accessibility to big tracks. The shift

in sport began in Texas, before making its way to southern Arizona.

From “hot chicks making left turns on skates,” to a competitive, International Olympic Committee-recognized sport that is also in the World Games, roller derby has evolved over the last 20 years.

A game, or bout of flat track roller der by, consists of two teams on one oval track, with at least five players from each team. The play, which is broken up into two 30-minute periods, has jams or smaller units of play, which could last up to 2 minutes.

“Four people from each team are called blockers (whose) job is to keep the other teams’ jammer from scoring,” said Dan ielle “Apocahips” Lips.

The league’s CFO, board member and blocker, Lips formerly skated with the team’s jammer DeWier before the pandemic. Like many other skaters, the pandemic halted roller skating for many people or alternatively, ignited a new skating passion. During the shutdown, there was a roller skate shortage.

“Our views on roller derby changed after the pandemic,” Lips said. “We want ed something that was a little more laid back and we saw a need for this recre ational, more socially focused kind of derby (that) was about building bonds and supporting each other.”

The league’s co-founders were looking toward creating something that would offer a “derby-life” balance while creat ing a sense of belonging.

“We really wanted to make a point of

it being a safe space for queer folks, peo ple of color (and those) who have mental health struggles,” DeWier said.

“Our vision was to create a skating environment where we could strap on some skates and skate around, where we weren’t pressured to be ultra-com petitive,” said Raychel “D20” Hodges, a board member and blocker for the team.

Even the team’s bylaws support what individuals want their derby journey to be, DeWier said. With approximately 50 involved participants, the league is made up of veteran and newly graduated skaters known as “Baby Bats,” volunteer announcers, non-skating officiators or NSOs and those who assist with track maintenance.

Karlena “Snack Attack” Wolhart, a re cent graduate of the “Baby Bat” program and blocker, said that she’s met some of her closest friends after eight and a half months of training with them. She em phasized the sense of community.

“Nobody is out for blood and nobody wants to completely plow your ass,” Wol hart said. “If you don’t understand some things, it’s fine because there is always (someone) on your team (who) will help walk you through it.”

The “Baby Bat” program, which takes about 21 weeks or four to five months, teaches new skaters the basics, before making contact, participating in scrim mages as well as acquiring their skate names.

Group photo of the team at practice. (PHOTO BY NOELLE HARO-GOMEZ)

Helene “Velma Deckly” Lewton, Sophia “Little Thunder” Garcia, Amy “Amy-Zing Heiling, Rose and Pretty Lil Brawler. (PHOTO BY NOELLE HARO-GOMEZ)

“The process begins (with) your first derby practice and when you graduate, you sort of settle on your name,” Hodges said.

An integral part of the sports culture, it is emblematic of tradition and transformation into a powerful derby player.

Competitively, rosters or benches have 15 players on each side. Five are typically sent out onto the track, including the jammer and four blockers which is about three pods, leaving plenty of room for people to rotate.

Still in the 2022 season, the team is building its first official team so it can play against other leagues in the state.

“If they need to take an extra jam and breathe (for) another couple of minutes, we’re able to do that,” DeWier said.

The last big match that the league hosted was a Freddy vs. Jason “mashup,” on May 14.

“We had people from all over Arizona come down to play with us, it was a super fun, no pressure kind of game where people of all different skill levels were playing together,” Lips said.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the leagues would come together and compete in a state conference. DeWier said that the leagues have been re-establishing themselves since the spring, as communication has slowly picked itself back up between the leagues.

“I think everybody who’s joined our league is looking for the experience of social camaraderie,” Lips said. “An important aspect of our league is that we are extremely community focused.” The mission of community impact is in the bylaws.

Most derby leagues are nonprofit or-

ganizations, requiring a certain amount of giving back to the community. Lips said that the league chooses a nonprofit or charity for each of their events to support.

“It doesn’t take too much effort to donate your time or your energy,” Wolhart said.

“Since we’re more recreational, we have more bandwidth to do more targeted outreach,” Lips said. “We’re finally at enough members to start signing up to volunteer at community events.”

The league is open to all regardless of race, gender, orientation, socioeconomic status, culture or skating ability.

“There is no underlying gender identification on whether you’re a cool person or not,” DeWier said.

As the team prepares for its first bout of the fall season, it has been holding practices twice a week at the Eric Michael Ogden Skate Rink near Catalina

High Magnet School. Weather permitting, Tuesdays include drills, scrimmage scenarios and gameplay and Thursdays cover foundational skills.

The league had to postpone its fall bout in September due to a lack of volunteers and referees. A single bout requires

at least nine, not including off-skates officials who keep track of score, time and penalties.

“Imagine this track of concentrated moving bodies hitting each other (and) a list five pages long of penalties and you have to keep track of points in real time,” Lips said. “There are so many moving pieces.”

It takes a lot to fully staff a roller derby game, Lips said. The team hopes to establish a referee training program.

“Derby is back in Arizona really, really strong,” DeWier said.

Hodges added, “Just being on a Copper State team and being a part of a pod that I know what the person on my left, what the other block is doing and just getting in tune,” Hodges said. “I’m super excited about that.”

Copper State Derby League

copperstatederby.com

Facebook: Copper State Derby League

Instagram: @copperstatederby

Helene “Velma Deckly” Lewton, Amy “Amy-Zing” Heiling, and Rose “Glarebear” Guillen. (PHOTO BY NOELLE HARO-GOMEZ

TENWEST INSPIRES SUSTAINABLE COLLABORATION, DEBUTS BLOCK PARTY

By Katya Mendoza Tucson Local Media

THE ANNUAL TENWEST IMPACT

Festival invites curious and impassioned locals to discuss mindful entrepreneurship and sustainability.

The five-day conference starts Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Tucson Museum of Art, and features brainstorming workshops, lectures and a variety of after-party events.

The theme of this year’s festival is, Create, Build and Sustain. A day is dedicated to each theme, with the fourth focusing on sustainability.

“You’re going to see all sorts of content for artists, musicians, culinary professionals, people that want to do fashion, kind of everything in the creative space,” said Liz Pocock, CEO of Startup Tucson.

The $35 general admission pass grants entry to all conference activities at the Tucson Convention Center.

“We start off with local coffee roasters, breakout sessions throughout the day, keynote lunches, keynote happy hours and then wrapped around all of those events are X events every evening,” Pocock said.

TENWESTx events include concerts and food tastings, including the Idea Funding After Party at The Monica, which will celebrate local food entrepreneurs, Carlotta Flores and Don Guerra, who will both receive the 2022 Thomas R. Brown Outstanding Entrepreneur Award in honor of their efforts toward the “local ecosystem.”

An all-inclusive pass is $300.

“The whole vibe is that it’s supposed to be really collaborative and really open,” Pocock said.

Day one festivities include live performances, food and drinks and a preview of the week’s festivities, including words from Pocock and Mayor Regina Romero.

“This is a perfect event to get started because there are so many things to pick from,” Pocock said. “It’s really a choose your own adventure.”

Co-led by Startup Tucson and the

University of Arizona’s Center for Innovation, TENWEST will offer workshops intended to encourage and inspire its participants.

“While the conference itself is really big, the individual sessions are smaller,” Pocock said.

“That’s why we have so many breakouts, so it’s a great place to meet other people that are interested in the same thing as you.”

STREET FEST DEBUTS

This year also sees the debut of TENWEST Street Fest in the heart of the Warehouse Arts District on Toole Avenue.

Matt Baquet, director of Hotel Congress’ HOCO Fest, who connected with Pocock earlier this year, applied for a Build Back Better grant to the Southern Arizona Coalition for Climate Adaptation and Resilience (SACCAR).

The coalition has programmed a few sessions during Sustain Day on Friday, Nov. 4.

“My submission for that particular project was not going to meet the criteria but from there she connected me with a now business partner of mine, Yadi Wang in Arizona SOL L3C and Development of Regenerative Yields (DRY) CoOp,” Baquet said.

“We are determined to help increase access for first-generation farmers and build a community-owned, secured food system for Southern Arizona.”

Pocock later asked Baquet if he would be interested in collaborating with the TENWEST Festival.

“They have a lot more experience with this particular event, it’s been cool to take cues from them but also dream up some new stuff,” Baquet said.

On day two of the festival, Baquet’s promotion company, Best Life Presents, will offer an hour-long conversation, “Backstage with Best Life Presents & Psyko

Steve,” led by two of Arizona’s most active independent promoters, Dan Hernandez of Best Life Presents and Phoenix promoter, Stephen Chilton (Psyko Steve Presents), about the inner workings of event organizing.

Baquet and Hernandez spearheaded the TENWEST Street Fest with the help of local businesses in the Historic Warehouse Arts District such as CREAM Design & Print, Kinetic Arts Tucson, Solar Culture and Borderlands Brewing Co.

“Brenna (Mirae) from Kinetic Arts Tucson had been trying to make a block party happen since the pandemic and did a little bit of the legwork, had some plans and conceptualized ideas,” Baquet said.

He and Hernandez approached Pocock with the idea and pitched it for TENWEST.

“Part of the motivation is to highlight, showcase and preserve the Warehouse Arts District,” Baquet said.

Toward the end of July, the plans were finalized.

Part conference, part party, the TENWEST Festival is an approachable community event. Baquet said local high schoolers will attend Create day on Thursday, Nov. 3.

“Kids in a high school stage should be presented with alternatives early,” Baquet said.

“If they’re artists or musicians or someone who has big visions for creative work, they can be introduced to those things as a reality rather than the (traditional) college path.”

The accessible programming includes

DJ workshops, home recording workshops and even TikTok filmmaking.

The fourth day focuses on sustainability as it relates to the environment and natural resources, and will include conversations about alternative farming, composting, city waste and how to move forward and meet goals as a city.

Joellen Russell — oceanographer and climate scientist at the University of Arizona and co-founder of the nonprofit organization Science Moms — will offer climate facts, what’s at risk and how to turn environmental concerns into actions at her lecture.

“We’re trying to ask regular folks to take action in their regular lives, especially moms,” Russell said. “We’re going to talk about how we as citizens, as Americans, as moms and dads, just fellow humans on planet Earth, how we can take control of our carbon future and make it better.”

A nonpartisan group made up of climate scientists and mothers, Science Moms advocates around how we talk about climate change and how to best represent individual efforts to a larger audience.

Some of the other keynote speakers include local “culinary treasure,” chef Janos Wilder who will discuss gourmet insects and protein sources of the future, and “Discovering Multiversal Tourism” with Chadney Everett, the senior creative director of Meow Wolf, an entertainment and arts company that creates large-scale immersive art installations.

“We have speakers who have never spoken at anything in Tucson but go speak at national or international conferences like South by Southwest,” Pocock said. “TENWEST is a great place to come check them out.”

“TENWEST can give you a really good idea of what’s happening in your community,” Baquet added.

“We’re a creative city that’s building toward a more sustainable future.”

TENWEST Impact Festival

WHEN: 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 1, to Saturday, Nov. 5

WHERE: Multiple locations, see schedule online

COST: $35 general conference pass; $300 all-inclusive pass

INFO: tenwest.com

THAT

Dr. Marin | Dr. Talalaev | Rebekah Lewis, FNP-C

SURLY WENCH:

‘VAMPIRES VS. WEREWOLVES’

If you like it dark and loud, Surly Wench Pub has your Aristotelian ideal Halloween party. Music includes The Limit Club, The Shitouttaluck and the Navajo psychobilly-rockabilly outfit the Reztones. The kitchen offers some of the most eco-friendly, veggie-leaning, crunchy and face-stuffing bar food in town. What to wear? Black is always in style at “The Wench.”

9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. Fourth Avenue, thereztones. com, $10

ANNUAL TUCSON RECORD SHOW

There’s always a good excuse to finger through thousands of recordings, to recall the fresh feel of oldies and estimate what your collection is worth (in your dreams). This Saturday, record lovers from all over the Southwest will geek out at the muchanticipated return of the Annual Tucson Record Show. Try to curb the fan T-shirt shaming.

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Fraternal Order of Police Hall, 3445 N. Dodge Boulevard, collectibles@ earthlink.com, $8 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., $4 after 9 a.m.

PARTY WITH A REAL ‘GHOST TRAIN’

Now retired, Locomotive 1673 once chugged on steam as it starred in the movie “Oklahoma.” It’s found new life recently as a delight to thousands of families who visit the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum. The engine will feature in a Halloween party this Saturday along with games, candy and rides in a “Fun Farm Choo Choo.” Costumes are encouraged as are tours of the museum. Its exhibits are translated in Spanish.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, 414 N. Toole Avenue, tucsonhistoricdepot.org, free

TUCSON SYMPHONY

ACCOMPANIES ‘COCO’ THE MOVIE

“Coco’s” 12-year-old protagonist, Miguel, has child-like faith that his deceased great-great grandfather, a musician, can return to his family the gift of music. Carrying him along his journey is a score that magically and musically demonstrates the merit of his purpose. The Tucson Symphony brings the score

7 p.m.

by Linda Ray

NIGHTMARE ON CONGRESS

Dress to impress and you could win $2,000 in two costume contests when Tucson’s haunted hotel throws its Halloween bash. You’ll party down to your bones with music by King Quice, The Surfbroads and Early Black. DJs HumpHouse and Bex & Halsero keep the beats going while vendors and Halloween-themed food and drink specials fuel the fun.

E. Congress Street, hotelcongress.

to life in two screenings this weekend. Its Grammy-winning composer, Michael Giacchino, also scored “Ratatouille,” “Mission Impossible,” “Jurassic World” and the Marvel franchise, among other films, TV series and video games.

“Coco’s” script was inspired by El Día de Los Muertos.

6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Avenue, tucsonsymphony.org, $12 to $60

‘DIA DE LOS MUERTOS’: A BILINGUAL CHILDREN’S MUSICAL

Child actors feature in this charming new take on the story of a child visiting deceased ancestors. Juana only meant to find her dear departed pet turtle, but her search leads her smack into Mictecacihuatl, the ridiculously fearsome Aztec deity of death. Grumpy ancestors turn up to help Juana face her fears and confront her illusions. Audience participation helps Juana along her journey and engages the kids in the crowd.

Various times Saturday, Oct. 29, to Sunday, Nov. 13, Live Theatre Workshop, 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road, livetheatreworkshop.org, $10 to $12

AN AWARD-WINNING BREAD BAZAAR BENEFITS TU NIDITO

James Beard award winner Don Guerra of Barrio Bread and Barrio Grains, and chef Carlotta Flores of Si Charro! Restaurants and The Monica, team up to support the work of Tu Nidito. They’ve mustered notable Tucson chefs to create unique bread recipes using local heritage grains. Sales will help fund Tu Nidito’s support groups, community education and grief intervention programs for children and adults.

8 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until the bread runs out, Tuesday, Nov. 1, The Monica, 40 E. Congress Street, tunidito. org, donation

CYCLOVIA: WHAT’S A NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT CARS?

Cyclovia clears the streets to discover community in our neighborhoods. This Sunday the street party’s in Ward 5. Esquer Park has music and games. Pima Community College hosts workshops and a Tucson Urban League heritage market. Old Pascua neighborhood has an art market, and Dunbar Spring shares its pre-integration history and community stories. Food trucks, bottled water, snacks, water for dogs, street art play, live music, games, DJs and free bike repairs are all along the way. See the website for details, volunteer opportunities and alternate routes.

9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, Cyclovia, cycloviatucson.org, free

DIA DE LAS LUCHAS

Oh, the color! The passion! The fervor! The 360-degree racket from the ring, the crowd, the band! Get your energy on for Mexican wrestling featuring live music by the Misfits tribute band, Psycho 78.

8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, ticketmaster.com, $15, all ages, doors at 7.

(PHOTO BY MANUEL RUIZ)

HALLOWEEN, FALL EVENTS APLENTY IN TUCSON AREA

By Cameron Chester Tucson Local Media

HALLOWEEN BRINGS OUT THE creepiness in all of us. From haunted houses and corn mazes to dance parties, here are some of what the Tucson area has to offer this fall.

GHOSTBUSTERS IN THE HAUNTED RUINS

Something odd is going on in the Haunted Ruins and Valley of the Moon’s fairy woods. Join patrons on an interactive journey across the Valley of the Moon with the mostly fearless Ghostbusters.

When: 6 to 10 p.m. daily until Oct. 30

Where: Valley of the Moon, 2544 E. Allen Road

Cost: $10 adults; $5 students; free for members and children ages 7 and younger Info: valley-of-the-moon.yapsody.com

GLOWING PUMPKINS TUCSON

Explore the magical pathways of lit pumpkin sculptures and displays, with music, sounds and special effects.

When: Noon to 10 p.m. daily until Oct. 31

Where: Tucson Mall, 4500 N. Oracle Road Cost: $20 Info: glowingpumpkins.com

NIGHTFALL AT OLD TUCSON

For its 30th anniversary, Nightfall re turns to Old Tucson in a new format. This year, the festival offers a totally immer sive experience that blends deadly maz es with time-honored stunt performances and a town full of people to chat with all night. Learn their secrets, solve their is sues, or just watch a performance in the Grand Palace.

When: 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. daily until Oct. 30

Where: Old Tucson, 201 Kinney Road Cost: $30 for children younger than 12; $35 older than 13 and adults Info: nightfallaz.com

FALL PUMPKIN CELEBRATION AT APPLE ANNIE’S

At Apple Annie’s, autumn brings with it sunflowers, hayrides, a corn maze and pumpkins. Family events are aplenty here. The 12.5-acre, 600,000-stalk corn maze opens at 9 a.m. daily. The last entry is 4 p.m. The largest collection of pump kins growing on vine in Arizona may be found in the pumpkin patch. Tickets are available for the hayride that takes guests to the pumpkin patch.

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 31

Where: Apple Annie’s, 6405 W. Williams Road, Willcox

Cost: $6 corn maze (ages 3 to 11); $8 adults. Corn maze and hayride combo $8 (ages 3 to 11); $10 adults Info: appleannies.com

TERROR IN THE CORN

An immersive and frightful cornfield connects a range of “haunts” and Hal loween activities. The frights, cries and general fear increase as night falls and the moon emerges.

When: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 31

Where: Terror in the Corn, 9312 N. Rillito Village Trail, Marana Cost: $28

Info: tucsonterrorinthecorn.com

SLAUGHTERHOUSE

According to Scurryface, this was 2021’s top haunted house in the nation out of the 85 it reviewed. Organizers promise that 2022 will be even scarier.

When: 7 p.m. nightly until Nov. 4

Where: Slaughterhouse, 1102 W. Grant Road

Cost: $25 is the price for a ticket Info: slaughterhousetucson.com

BOO AT THE ZOO

Grab your ghouls and dig up your zombies. At Reid Park Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo, display your boo-tiful costumes for a

fun, family-friendly evening that isn’t too spooky. At this Tucson Halloween tradi tion, the whole family will have a magical experience. The money is used for the upkeep, management and educational programs of the zoo.

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, to Sunday, Oct. 30

Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, Tucson Cost: $13 general admission; $11 zoo members; timed tickets Info: reidparkzoo.org

HALLOWEEN BOO BASH

Tucson Parks & Recreation is hosting a spooktacular evening of tricks and treats at Lincoln Park from 4 to 7 p.m. Satur day, Oct. 22. At the park, 4325 S. Pantano Road, guests can take part in the costume parade, trunk-or-treat, and carnival activ ities. Food will be available for sale.

When: 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Where: Lincoln Park’s soccer fields, 4325 S. Pantano Road Cost: Free Info: tucsonaz.gov/parks

TUCSON TERROR FEST

The only horror convention and film festival in Southern Arizona, the Tucson Terror Fest presents and celebrates mov ies from around the world. Organizers stress the creative, enjoyable and artistic aspects of indie horror cinema. When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 23

Where: 191 Toole, 191 E. Toole Avenue, Tucson

Cost: Tickets start at $8

Info: 191toole.com

HALLOWEENPALOOZA

Join 100 fun, costumed folks at Catali na Brewing Company for the Oro Valley Social and Business Club party. Tickets include appetizer buffet and new connec tions.

When: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26

Where: Catalina Brewing Company, 6918 N. Camino Martin

Cost: $20 Info: 520-355-7127, eventbrite.com

SPIRITS AT THE ZOO 2022

Wear your best “haunt couture” and fly to Spirits at the Zoo, presented by Casi no del Sol. At this Halloween gathering for adults only, have fun with your pack while contributing to the zoo’s conserva tion fund.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28

Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court

Cost: $40 for zoo members and $45 general admission

Info: reidparkzoo.org

HOWL AT THE MUSEUM

This 21-and-older event features mu sic by Birds and Arrows, burlesque per formances, DJ Humblelianess spinning music, a costume contest, Whiskey del Bac showdown, art-making activities and immersive art experience by Lex Gjur asic.

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28

Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N.

Main Avenue, Tucson

Cost: $35 members; $40 nonmembers Info: tucsonmuseumofart.org/HOWL

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

This year, the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center will host The Spooktacular once more. Games, crafts and a trick-or-treat lane organized by nearby businesses are all part of this event. While children enjoy themselves as their favorite costumed characters, a live DJ will keep the rhythms going. There will be food trucks present, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks can be purchased.

When: 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

Where: Oro Valley Town Hall Parking Lot, 11000 N. La Cañada Drive, Oro Valley

Cost: Free Info: orovalleyaz.gov

SPOOKTACULAR

HALLOWEEN PARTY

Come in your costume and enjoy a great Halloween party with treats, themed crafts, open play games, costume contest and gifts bags.

When: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

Where: We Rock the Spectrum, 4811 E. Grant Road, Suite 141

Cost: $25 in advance; $35 at the door Info: werockthespectrumtucson.com

TRUNK OR TREAT AT THE Y

A haunted house, live DJ, games and trunk or treat are all part of the fun at the Northwest YMCA Pima County Community Center.

When: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

Where: Northwest YMCA Pima County Community Center, 7770 N. Shannon Road, Tucson

Cost: Free admission Info: 520-229-9001

TUCSON HALLOWEEKEND

HANGOVER BAR CRAWL

This Halloween, let’s get spooky for the spookiest season of the year. Tucson’s streets will be turned into eerie paths for the Tucson Halloween Hangover Weekend Bar Crawl.

When: 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29

Where: Various venues in Tucson

Cost: Free registration; charge for drinks Info: eventbrite.com

COMEDY FOR CHARITY’S LAUGHS EASE THE PAIN

By Linda Ray

SUZIE AGRILLO HAS LONG believed that laughing makes us feel bet ter. A Google search confirms it; even the Mayo Clinic agrees.

So, after a particularly stressful family reunion around 2010, she took the advice of comedian and fellow attorney Elliott Glicksman and took her wit for a spin for in the open mic at Laff’s Come dy Caffe.

“I think I just had kind of a catharsis of emotions about my family histo ry that came back to me — my mother’s suicide when I was 18, and my childhood, because she was mentally ill,” Agrillo said.

She omits to mention the unsolved mugging death of a sister.

“So, I went to an open mic at Laff’s,” she said. “I wanted to bring something positive from that. I got some laughs, and it encouraged me to do it again. After I’d done it three times, I was hooked!”

Agrillo began workshopping her com edy with others who came to the mic, but she also took a series of classes at a Phoe nix club. Sometimes she’d trade a carton of cigarettes for an assist from Tucson comedy scene legend Gary “Hoodie” Hood.

The Laff’s Open Mic was also the reg ular dose of laughter that kept her spirits afloat in the backwash of her case load. For 10 years, her law practice revolved around involuntary commitments for mentally ill people. A career move then put her in charge of domestic abuse cas es. That’s when her comedy vision began to branch out.

“I was doing a lot of domestic violence cases, and I would get to court and the victim never showed up,” Agrillo said. “Never. I can’t even remember a case

where the victim showed up. I tried to contact them, their phones would be dis connected, they would’ve moved.

“So I decided (to) raise some money for Emerge (Emerge Center for Domestic Abuse). They help the victims. That’s re ally where I could do some good.”

She established a nonprofit, Comedy for Charity. Its mission is to, “prevent violence, assist victims of violence, and raise awareness about vi olence.” Then she bravely booked the distinguished and relatively enormous Fox Tucson Theatre for her first benefit show. The event was so successful, she began hosting it an nually.

Emerge grew, its ser vices grew, and they be gan organizing their own successful events. “We raised some pretty good money for them,” Agrillo said. “So, after a while I decided to donate the mon ey to smaller charities that are (able) to pitch in and help.”

Comedy for Charity has since raised funds for the January 8th Memorial Foun dation, Ben’s Bells, and Veterans Ral ly Point, a suicide prevention program for veterans. After taking a break for COVID-19, a whimsical twist of fate led to a $10,000 windfall that allowed Come dy for Charity to distribute $10,000 to 14 worthy Tucson organizations.

The $10,000 was prize money from a dance contest on NBC’s E! Entertainment Channel. When an NBC executive called to tell her about the gift, Agrillo was so surprised she sought out the show’s stream to see what happened.

“They had a reality TV show with co medians dancing. It was called ‘The Fun ny Dance Show’. At the end of the first episode they (asked the winners), ‘Who do you give your $10,000 winning streak

to?’” Flula Borg announced their choice: ‘Comedy for Charity.’

To this day she doesn’t know how they found out about her cause, but everyone involved is grateful. “That was a big shot in the arm because before that the big gest donation I’d ever gotten was $1,500.”

She saved her beneficiaries’ “thank you” cards and read us her favorite: “Dear everyone at Comedy for Charity. Thanks for the very generous donation. We serve hundreds of hungry folks every day. Keep being funny. Peace and love.” It’s signed by Brian Flagg of Casa Maria Soup Kitch en.

Then Agrillo reminded us what her work stands for. “Our Comedy for Chari ty,” motto is ‘With laughter, there’s hope’.”

‘GIMME SHELTER’ BENEFITS HOMELESS TEENS

This year’s “Comedy for Charity” event, “Gimme Shelter,” benefits The Reunion House, operated as a homeless shelter for teens by Our Family Services. Per formances are at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sun day, Nov. 6, at Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speedway Boulevard. Tickets are $25 to $75 at com edyforcharity. org. Use code “unscrewed” for $10 off any ticket.

Two touring comedians top the bill, Eric O’Shea and Wyatt Feegra do Abranches. O’Shea’s viral YouTube vid eos have more that 25 million hits. He’s been a contes tant on “America’s Got Talent” and was last year’s Campus Legend Award winner for his shows’ popularity on university campuses. His website has a photo of him with Betty White, which makes us like him already. Feegrado, barely out of his teens, has just finished filming his first special for Amazon Prime. Titled “Wyatt Feegrado: De-Assimilate,” it will air this December.

Popular local comic Paul Fox, co-host of the monthly Blazed and Amused com edy show at Arte Bella, has the feature spot. Fox won Tucson’s 2022 Battle of the Roast. Agrillo hosts under her stage name Suzie Sexton.

GREG ROMERO WILSON AT LAFF’S COMEDY CAFFE

Fans have dubbed him “the monster truck of stand-up.” He’s dubbed himself “The Mexican Megaphone.” We’ve seen him on a dozen TV shows, including “Hawaii Five-O,” “The Neighborhood” and “Modern Family.” He’s done standup on Showtime, ABC, VH-1 and Comedy TV.

His new halfhour special, “Hindsight is 2020” is now on YouTube.

From his bio.

“No audience member is safe from Greg’s anything-goes style.” Live dangerously! Leave the helmet at home.

MORE COMEDY THIS WEEK

• The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress Street, 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, “Gateway Show,” Stand-up comedians tell their best jokes, then get as high as possible and tell them again. Billy Anderson hosts, eventbrite.com, $15 to $30 advance, $10 more at the door.

• Tucson Improv Movement/TIM Comedy Theatre, 414 E. Ninth Street, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, Improv Cagematch; 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, Improv Jam; 7:30 p.m. The Soapbox with guest storyteller; 9 p.m., Spooky Standup Comedy Show; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Ghosts, Ghouls and Guffaws; 9 p.m., Spoooky Girls and The Bat, tucsonimprov.com, $7 each show, $10 for both shows, same night, free jam and open mic.

• Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speed way Boulevard, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, family-friendly improv; 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Weenie Halloween Kids Show; 7:30 p.m. family-friendly improv; 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, Weenie Halloween Kids Show; unscrewedtheatre.org, $8, live or remote, $5 kids. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, improv drop-ins, free.

• Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speed way Boulevard 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, Gimme Shelter: A Comedy Fund raiser for the Reunion House for Home less Teens, comedyforcharity.org, $25 to $75. Use code “unscrewed” for $10 off any ticket. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Suzie Agrillo finds reasons to laugh in hard times. (AUDRIA ABNEY/CONTRIBUTOR)

Eric O’Shea is a top hit on college campuses nationwide. (ERIC O’SHEA/ SUBMITTED)

Greg Romero Wilson’s energy fuels a comedy dynamo. (GREG ROMERO WILSON/SUBMITTED)

By Xavier Otero Tucson Local Media

MARK YOUR CALENDARS…

THURSDAY, OCT. 27

During the 1980s — on the strength of a string of hit singles, “Suddenly,” “Caribbean Queen” and “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going” and others — Leslie Sebastian Charles, known professionally as Billy Ocean, rode a wave of international popularity. In 2020, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire, an order of chivalry rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences. Ocean shares the bill with one of the greatest Motown, R&B and funk acts of all time, The Commodores, at the AVA Amphitheater. The group formed in 1968 while members were attending the Tuskegee Institute. After being discovered by Motown Records impresario Berry Gordy — having first caught the public eye while opening for the Jackson 5 — the Commodores went on to sell over 60 million records for Motown. The group’s most successful period was in the late 1970s and early ’80s when Lionel Richie and Walter Orange fronted the band as co-lead singers. The band’s biggest hits are ballads “Easy” and “Three Times a Lady,” and funk-influenced dance floor bangers “Too Hot Ta Trot” and “Brick House.” For five decades, the Commodores — with longtime members William King, Orange and James Dean Nicholas at the core — remain a force in the music industry, having laid a foundation that just won’t budge. … Culling their name from director Franklin J. Schaffner’s 1968 film classic “Planet of the Apes,” in which Dr. Zira calls George Taylor “bright eyes” as a term of en-

dearment, the Omaha-bred band Bright Eyes has released 10 studio albums. Its debut album, “A Collection of Songs Written and Recorded 1995-1997,” received a lukewarm reception by critics. Despite praising singer-songwriter Conor Oberst’s lyrics and songcraft, AllMusic’s Nathan Bush opined that many of “the songs disintegrate as his vocals are reduced to the unintelligible babbling of a child.” In contrast, 2020’s “Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was,” received a score of 81 out of 100 on Metacritic indicating “universal acclaim,” based on 24 reviews. Early this year, the band announced plans to reissue its first nine studio albums. Each album will come with an EP consisting of five reimagined versions of the album’s tracks, plus a cover song. Elliott Smith’s “St. Ides Heaven” — featuring Phoebe Bridgers — is the first cover Bright Eyes has released as part of the project. “Elliott’s songs have been such a part of my life,” said Oberst, now 42. “I can’t say I feel a lot different about it. Maybe I just never grew up. When you listen to his songs, and if you have a penchant for drug use, you can kind of relate to it. I guess I’m still a teenager at heart.” Amid the uncertainty and global upheaval, Oberst has reunited with bandmates Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott as both an escape from, and a confrontation of, trying times. For Bright Eyes, this long-awaited re-emergence feels like coming home. Bright Eyes at the Rialto Theatre. Special guests Lala Lala open… The Juilliard String Quartet hasn’t performed in The Old Pueblo since December 2018, but it returns to electrify. The evening program features: Beethoven’s “String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135,” the last major work he completed

months before taking his last breath in March 1827; highly regarded Jamaican born British composer Eleanor Alberga’s “String Quartet No. 2,” a work described as a pure shot of adrenaline; and Antonín Dvorák’s “String Quartet in A-flat Major, Op. 105,” his last piece of instrumental chamber music in a vast oeuvre is considered a masterwork of superb construction and undeniable inspiration. Arizona Friends of Chamber Music present the world-renowned Juilliard String Quartet, at The Leo Rich Theater… Part rebel, part traditionalist, Texas country radio star Jon Wolfe’s songs are loaded with plenty of rock ‘n’ roll swagger, but not too much to compromise his true-hearted love affair with classic honkytonk. Like “Boots on the Dance Floor,” Jon Wolfe comes to town on the heels of “Dos Corazones,” his latest album, for a boot scootin’ good time at Whiskey Roads… This group of childhood friends grew up in Nashville, backdropped by the bright lights of Music City. Cutting their teeth in the local honkytonk as well as rock clubs, Teddy and the Rough Riders developed a compelling sound — with a setlist flush with hard-hitting country rock songs bursting with screaming pedal steel work married with close Appalachian bluegrass-style harmony vocals — capable of turning “rock ‘n’ roll fans into cowboys, and hillbillies into headbangers.” Teddy and the Rough Riders storm into the Club Congress. Sci-Fi Country opens the show… With a career marred by excessive drugs and alcohol, and violent outbursts, outlaw country singer Jackson Taylor’s has been blacklisted from many venues across the country and internationally, further cement-

ing his image as a wild man. His music embodies an adolescence of hard labor, hard living and working-class poverty. In “Cocaine,” Taylor tells the story of a once good man turned bad. “Yeah, I like the cocaine / I like the whiskey too / And I like all of the wicked things I’m learning how to do / I like the dark side / I like the wild ride / I like the dirty girls too.” Touted as the modern evolution of what country music should be, Jackson Taylor & The Sinners are at The Maverick. Special guest Jay Faircloth kicks things off… Screamfest: A benefit for Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA), finds DJs Grapefruit Steve, Chrysillus, Psynapple, Alice.km, NADA and Shelby Athouguia dropping beats on the Hotel Congress plaza… This week producer/trapsman Pete Swan presents Indigo Social Club. They bring their jazz-infused, genre-transcending sound to The Century Room… Like the binding molecules that the band is named after, The Morpholinos attribute their unique sound to contributions from songwriters Neil McCallion and Gary Mackender combining sequences. The Morpholinos play a mix of rock, Americana, Tex Mex, Zydeco, and they’ll even throw in a polka or two, at Monterey Court…

FRIDAY, OCT. 28

In honor of Sepultura’s seminal albums — “Beneath the Remains” (1989) and “Arise” (1991) — the Cavalera brothers who founded the influential Brazilian thrash metal institution in 1984 have tak-

en to the road, despite no longer being members of the band. Continuing on the U.S. leg of the Return: Beneath Arise Tour, Max & Igor Cavalera — backed by Soulfly bassist Mike Leon and Possessed guitarist Daniel Gonzalez — return to the Rialto Theatre. With local support from Bewitcher… Shoreline Mafia alumnus Fenix Rybins, aka Fenix Flexin, has been on a steady grind since his former group announced its was disbanding in April. “I’m just bringing that and then doing it on my own,” Flexin said. “Got the same fan base, got a solid fan base. After this project I ain’t even gonna stop.” Fenix Flexin brings “Fenix Flexin Vol. 2” to 191 Toole. R3, Da Chili Man and Lil’ Maru kick things off… Downtown Tucson’s biggest Halloween party, Nightmare on Congress Street features live performances by King Quice, The Surfbroads, Early Black, DJs HumpHouse and Bex & Halsero at the rumored haunted Hotel Congress… For one ghastly night resident prince of the underworld DJ Mijito lords over La Noche de Brujas at The Royal Room… Birds & Arrows and DJ Humblelianess provide the soundtrack for Howl at the Museum: An interactive art event at Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block… The Dead in My Arms 15th Anniversary Tour brings mavens of death metal Carnifex to Encore. With support from Spite, Left to Suffer and Crown Magnetar… “Conceived in Chicago and cultivated in Austin,” the Boots And Culture Fall Tour brings reggae giants Lion Heights to the Chicago Bar. Phoenix’s A-1 Reggae opens… In an

epic clash pitting vampires against werewolves, The Limit Club, The Reztones and Shitouttaluck practice the dark arts of rockabilly and psychobilly at the Surly Wench Pub… A Halloween extravaganza — featuring a fire performance, burlesque, glass walking, magic and live sets by Znora and DJ Hyperfix — unfolds at Sky Bar… Embodying the Allhallowtide season, pianist Susan Artemis presents I Put A Spell On You, a special program of jazz from the darker side of the lounge at The Century Room…

SATURDAY, OCT. 29

Reflecting the diversity, beauty and dayto-day struggles of life in their home city of Tamanrasset in Southern Algeria, the Tuareg quintet Imarhan uses its platform as a wake-up call for unity, to remind people that we are all connected. The Tuareg people are a matrilineal society with many maintaining a semi-nomadic existence herding livestock. Championed as “the new wave of Tuareg music,” on the band’s third studio album “Aboogi,” the act takes on traditional Tamasheq music whose arresting melodies and rhythms are juxtaposed with trippy, hypnotic, guitar-based rock. Imarhan not only take the next step forward in the evolution of Tuareg music, it boldly leaps into hyperspace. Special guests Trees Speak add appreciably to the lineup, at 191 Toole… Mashing together rock ‘n’ roll and wrestling — delivered with the underhandedness and sheer brutality of the Undertaker’s Tombstone Piledriver — Psycho 78: A tribute to the Misfits soundtracks this

lucha libre melee. Dia de las Luchas pops off at the Rialto Theatre… Formed in 2014, The Babe Rainbow is a stoner pop quartet from New South Wales, Australia. They are purveyors of laid-back, retro-’60s inspired psychedelic rock packaged in sun-drenched surf culture imagery. The band sums it up. “The Babe Rainbow is a rococo palace built to the most powerful God of all: Mass entertainment.” Washing over you like the waves of the sea, Babe Rainbow spread the good vibe at Club Congress… Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation presents Blues Heritage Festival 2022, its first festival since 2019. With live performances by Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers, Carvin Jones Band, The Sugar Thieves, Tom Walbank and the Ambassadors, The Coolers and ZNora at the historic Steam Pump Ranch in Oro Valley… Synthesizing grimy industrial beats, darkwave and gloomy synth-pop into sweeping soundscapes filled with longing, lust, and despair, TR/ST is the brainchild of Canadian electronic musician Robert Alfons. During the process involved in bringing his two-volume album “Destroyer” to fruition Alfons gained valuable insights. “The giant agaves outside my home only bloom every 20 or 30 years. Being around that was a powerful lesson in slowness and in tenacity,” Alfons reflected. “The environment I work in has always guided me. But it took a long time to submit to the kind of patience these songs were asking of me.” Dressed for space, TR/ ST makes a landing on the plaza at Ho-

tel Congress. After the show, DJs Bex & Halsero curate the Hot Jams… In an unholy conclave of ghouls, hierophants and grave robbers, Tucson Metal Society presents All Hallows Eve Party. Endavus, Never Reborn, Subterraneo and others deliver ferocious sets of metallic mayhem at House of Bards… Method to the Madness and Samurai Spaceman hold down an All Hallows Day celebration at the Chicago Bar… SIN Entertainment presenta el Día de los Muertos House Party. DJs Flow, SI3GAL and Hart spin relentless sets of house hexcraft potent enough to raise the dead at The Jackrabbit Lounge… DJ Herm hosts the Halloween edition of Spinnin’ Wheels: An outdoor roller disco and dance party at MSA Annex… In the days before All Saints’ Day, when the souls of the dead are set free to once again dance with the living, the funkiest of Tucson institutions Funky Bonz will cause your tail feathers to move involuntarily at The Hut…

SUNDAY, OCT. 30

Alternative R&B singer Steve Lacy, as a member of The Internet, belongs to a small class of artists who have recorded and co-produced a Grammy-nominated album — using the Garage Band app on his iPhone — while still in high school. “Ego Death” was nominated for Best Contemporary Urban Album in 2016. His second “fearlessly funky” and “seriously steamy” solo album, “Gemini Rights” (2022) — written in response to a breakup — broke the top ten of the Billboard charts. Describing his musical sound as “plaid,” like the tartan fabric, Lacy said that he produced “about 90% of the record” and came up with the album

title while “tipsy” at a bar. The Give You The World Tour brings rising star Steve Lacy to the Rialto Theatre. Special guest Fousheè opens the show… A concert performance by organist Dave Wickerham takes the audience through a spine-chilling Halloween inspired repertoire featuring Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Phantom of the Opera Medley,” Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” — held by many as the ultimate piece of scary music, thanks to the numerous horror films that have co-opted its thundering motifs — and Camille Saint-Saens’ “Le Danse Macabre.” Wicked Wurlitzer Halloween Organ Concert enchants and mystifies at the Fox Tucson Theatre… “Blues-O-Ween, you ask?” Who would have known. Performing the songs they love, style or genre be damned, the Cochise County All-Stars add their unique flavor to the Congress Cookout on the plaza stage at Hotel Congress… This installment of Singer-Songwriter Sunday showcases the songcraft of Laura Jean and Rebekah Rolland for an evening of Americana, folk and country at the Saint Charles Tavern… Standing as testament to the Ronstadt legacy, P.D. Ronstadt & the Company perform original post-modern Americana and traditional compositions, as part of a monthly residency at Monterey Court… In what may be the last chance to get right with the Almighty, before the descent toward Samhain reaches tipping point, the Last Sunday Revival — presided over by Delta bluesman Christopher T. Stevens — offers salvation at Tap & Bottle Downtown…

MONDAY, OCT. 31

Celebrated by ancient Celtic pagans, Samhain marks the end of the harvest

season — when the veil between the living and the dead was believed to be especially thin — and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Halloween Dead Decades Dance Party is an all-night costumed affair taking revelers into the witching hour at Hotel Congress…

TUESDAY, NOV. 1

Bubbling up like a cauldron from the toxic tar pits of Los Angeles, Frankie and the Witch Fingers’ primordial groove has been a constant on the psychedelic garage rock scene for the better part of the last decade. Raising the devilry to that of bacchanalian proportions on the Feast of All Saints, Frankie and the Witch Fingers present “Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters…,” the band’s latest LP, at Club Congress. Flanked by Mute Swan and Cairos Creature Club…

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2

“That noise could be louder.” Three dynamic duos, Hermosillo’s Sgt. Papers, L.A.’s Warm Drag and Tucson’s Touchy unite hand in hand — with special guests Lenguas Largas — for a night full of lonely psych punk, seductive beats, esoteric

samples, smooth synths and serrated guitars. Cultures collide as the intrepid sounds from the Southwest underground unify fittingly on this Day of the Dead blowout — when the souls of the dead are believed to reunite once again with the living — at Club Congress…

Until next week, XOXO…

SINGING THE BLUES

Festival

By Laura Latzko Tucson Local Media

Through blues, musicians share their sorrows, hopes, dreams and life experi ences.

Each year, the Blues Heritage Festival brings together these musicians and those from other genres for a day filled with tunes.

This year, the event will be held in a new venue, the Steam Pump Ranch in Oro Valley on Saturday, October 29.

The event is hosted by the nonprofit Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foun dation, which is dedicated to promoting blues music, supporting musicians, and raising awareness about the genre and culture.

The Blues Heritage Festival also serves as a fundraiser. Gary Bagnoche, president of the Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation, says the organization faced financial struggles because of COVID-19. It is supported through grants, donations and fundraisers.

“We need to get financially back on our feet, like a lot of nonprofits,” Bagnoche says.

The festival has a long history in Tuc son. Debuting in 1983, it has been held in different venues throughout the years, including Reed Park’s DeMeester Out door Performance Center and the Rillito Racetrack.

The organization paused the festival for a year during COVID-19 but held a smaller version in 2021 at the MSA An nex.

The festival this year will be return to a full lineup of musicians.

Festival guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs and prepare for a full day of music at the historic ranch, which will also host a farmers market. Barbecue and pizza food trucks will sell food.

The headliners are the wife-and-hus band team of blues/soul singer Annika Chambers and blues rocker Paul De sLauriers. Chambers won the Blues Mu sic Awards prize for Soul Blues Female

Artist of the Year in 2019 and 2022.

A Houston native, the singer got her start singing in the church and has per formed for troops during two U.S. Army tours. DesLauriers is a virtuoso guitar player, vocalist and songwriter who hails from Canada.

He has taken second place in the Inter national Blues Challenge and won many Canadian Maple Blues Awards over the years.

This year’s Blues Heritage Festival lineup also features the Carvin Jones Band, the Sugar Thieves, Tom Walbank and the Ambassadors, and the Coolers.

“We think it’s better for everybody to bring in new talent, to bring in older tal ent who people haven’t seen in a long time,” he says.

“We try to keep the lineup something that both blues aficionados and other people will want to see,” Bagnoche says.

The festival brings in music listeners of all ages.

Bagnoche says that while they are there to see their favorite bands, audience members often discover other groups.

“There will be also sorts of music played during the day. All six bands are something different,” Bagnoche said.

The event will often have bands from other genres. In the past, the foundation has hosted the Chicano rock group Los Lobos, the cumbia rock group Xixa and “indie mambo” artist Sergio Mendoza.

The organization also tries to expose audiences to the styles of blues, includ ing Delta and Mississippi variations.

An important part of the foundation’s mission is education, which includes its efforts to expand on young people’s knowledge of blues.

The organization invites touring pro fessional artists to lead master classes for high school students.

They also bring in local musicians to teach classes focused on instruments such as the trumpet, guitar, bass or

drums.

Each year, the organization offers chances for high school bands to per form at the festival. Z Nora will open this year.

In the past, the foundation has sent contestants to the International Blues Challenge, a competition for blues bands, solo artists and duos. Bagnoche says they hope to do this again in the near future.

Along with its annual festival, the blues foundation hosts Sunday afternoon shows at Hotel Congress. They also an assistance fund, which was used to help artists during the height of COVID-19.

The heritage foundation’s volun teer-run board is made up of full-time musicians as well as longtime blues fans.

Bagnoche said different occupations and personalities are represented on the board. He became interested in blues music while was stationed in Mississippi while in the U.S. Navy.

“Doing an occasion beer run on coun try roads, I ran across some people play ing music. I thought, ‘What is this?’” Ba gnoche says.

“Back then — this was in the ’70s — we would flip a coin and either go to New Orleans, Atlanta, Memphis or Nashville because they were all close. We would

take the music in from all of those. Greensboro, Mississippi, is the center of the blues universe. So, it hit me early, and it hit me hard.”

Through the festival, Bagnoche has gotten to meet artists that he admires, such as Elvin Bishop, David Hidalgo from Los Lobos and Pinetop Perkins.

“(Pinetop Perkins) was just an engag ing gentleman who shared stories with me that I will never forget,” Bagnoche says.

“I treasure the experience of getting to talk with him. He was a great piano play er, and I’m not saying just a great blues piano player. He was just a great piano player and vocalist and knew how to grab an audience and make them his.”

Blues Heritage Festival

WHEN: Gates open 10 a.m.; performances 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 29

WHERE: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley

COST: $30 advanced tickets, $35 at the gate, $5 discount for members, 18 and younger free

INFO: azblues.org

Paul DesLauriers and Annika Chambers, a husband-and-wife team, will perform at the Blues Heritage Festival in Oro Valley. (JAMES MCNAMARA/SUBMITTED)

ARIZONA NORML NAMES A NEW POLITICAL DIRECTOR

By Hope Peters Tucson Local Media

ARMY VETERAN, SOCIAL WORKER, political candidate and small business owner, Sarah Tyree said she was honored and surprised when Arizona’s National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) tapped her for its political director.

“I hope I can reach or exceed everybody’s expectations,” Tyree said. “I didn’t see that coming.”

When former political director Jon Udell moved to an acting co-director role on the board of Arizona NORML, the search began to find a new voice to add to the organization’s board of directors.

After a weeks-long application and interview process, the board voted to appoint Tyree to the position.

“I didn’t actually apply, they reached out to me,” she said. “And asked me if it was something I was interested in.”

Tyree began her work as political director for Arizona NORML the week of Oct. 24.

“I will be working with legislators and, hopefully, city council members on policy that impacts people that utilize cannabis, whether it’s for medicinal or recreational uses,” Tyree said. “Some of my focus is on veterans.”

Tyree said she will address homelessness or the unsheltered community, as well.

“This is also really important,” she said. “They just get harassed on a regular basis…you know, rent cap is a whole other discussion.”

In a statement, Udell said he was “thrilled” to welcome Tyree to the organization.

“Sarah has a demonstrated track record of advocacy and deep experience working with nonprofits,” he said.

“We anticipate her appointment will not only strengthen our advocacy at the state capitol, but also bolster our long-running efforts to forge strategic alliances with other nonprofit organizations. With Sarah at the helm, we plan to redouble our efforts to serve disproportionately impacted communities of color, which have suffered arrests at (three to four times) the rate of lighter-skinned communities.”

Tyree is a native Arizonan, born in Laveen and raised in Maryvale. She was raised in a single-parent home, surviving abuse and poverty to graduate from Trevor G. Browne High School at 17. After

high school, Tyree joined the U.S. Army and served the country for eight years.

Her Army experience has helped her decide her future.

“I served from 2005 to 2013, I did my eight-year contract,” she said. “I started

Arizona’s National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) chose Sarah Tyree as its new political director. (SARAH TYREE/SUBMITTED)

off in aviation, fixing helicopter radios… But it just wasn’t for me.”

Tyree then went into civil affairs, which she likened to international social work, and that was a better fit.

Tyree’s employment in the nonprofit sector allowed her to work with vulnerable and systemically oppressed populations. She recently served as the medical special needs coordinator at Luke Air Force Base, where she continued to give back to her sisters and brothers in arms, by serving their families.

Tyree ran Arizona state senate to represent District 5 in 2020 and in this year’s election. She lost in the Democratic primary in August.

“I have run for office in two cycles,” she said. “I am assuming part of it is that I am fairly progressive. I come from a more conservative background where we were taught all drugs are bad, and that included cannabis, and now here I am being a cannadvocate.”

“There are still a lot of people in Arizona who still feel that way about cannabis,” Tyree said.

When campaigning as a candidate for office, Tyree attended meetings and spoke to dispensary vendors.

“I would say, ‘Hey, I’m a candidate and I want my voters to know more about what you, your business does…whether it is providing quality soil, or your packaging keeps things fresh,’” she explained.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER

At 21, Tyree earned bachelor’s degrees in social work and political science, and a master’s in social work. Tyree is a certified clinical hypnotherapist and certified life coach. She runs her own therapy practice, Intuitive Transformations, in Laveen.

As a small business owner, Tyree believes in autonomy. She appreciates the freedom of choice that allowed her to step away from a world of survival and move into a world of abundance.

She got involved with NORML after meeting Allison Stein, who currently co-chairs the state chapter of NORML, via one-time Arizona NORML Director Mikel Weisser.

“I met Allison via Mikel prior to his passing in the 2020 cycle,” she said. “Mikel was the first person who reached out to me as a brand-new candidate and (was) fully on board with me. He ran in my district previously so he was very knowledgeable. And then I met Allison and Allison and I do connect on NORML issues but we both very much connect on DCS (Department of Child Safety) issues.

“So, both of those things are something that we have continually stayed in contact about over the past couple years. I was very thankful to be an A-rated candidate in the 2020 cycle because it was my first time to be a cannacandidate. And then I was lucky enough to get it again this time.”

Tyree said she believes her willingness to go to NORML rallies and push the cause helped her land the appointment.

“I have gone to some of their rallies and supported some of the issues that are happening to some of our voters right now,” she said. “I think that’s why, because I was one of the few candidates willing to go out there, regardless of the impact it had on my raise…these are the things I believe in.”

E. Bowman

Suite 1, Tucson

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By Rob Brezsny.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) Of all the rich philanthropists in the world, Aries author MacKenzie Scott is the most gen erous. During a recent 12-month period, she gave away $8.5 billion. Her focus is on crucial issues: racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, pandemic relief, upholding and promoting democracy, and addressing the climate emergency. She disburses her donations quickly and without strings at tached, and prefers to avoid hoopla and ego aggrandizement. I suggest we make her your inspirational role model in the coming weeks. May she motivate you to gleefully share your unique gifts and blessings. I think you will reap selfish benefits by exploring the perks of gen erosity. Halloween costume suggestion: philanthropist, Santa Claus, compassion freak.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) What an imal best represents your soul? Which species do you love the most? Now would be a good time to try this imaginative ex ercise. You’re in a phase when you’ll thrive by nurturing your inner wild thing. You will give yourself blessings by stoking your creature intelligence. All of us are part-beast, and this is your special time to foster the beauty of your beast. Halloween costume suggestion: your favorite animal or the animal that symbolizes your soul.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) During the tyrannical reign of Spain’s fascist gov ernment in the 1930s, Gemini poet Fed erico García Lorca creatively resisted and revolted with great courage. One critic said Lorca “was all freedom inside, aban don and wildness. A tulip, growing at the foot of a concrete bulwark.” I invite you to be inspired by Lorca’s untamed, heartfelt beauty in the coming weeks, Gemini. It’s a favorable time to rebel with exuberance against the thing that bothers you most, whether that’s bigotry, injustice, misog yny, creeping authoritarianism, or any thing else. Halloween costume sugges tion: a high-spirited protestor.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) If the trick ster god Mercury gave you permission to do one mischievous thing today and a naughty thing tomorrow and a rascally

thing two days from now, what would you choose? Now is the perfect time for you Cancerians to engage in roguish, playful, puckish actions. You are especially likely to get away with them, karma-free—and probably even benefit from them—espe cially if they are motivated by love. Are you interested in taking advantage of this weird grace period? Halloween costume suggestion: prankster, joker, fairy, elf.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) Everyone’s mind constantly chatters with agitated fervor— what I call the ever-flickering flux. We might as well accept this as a fundamen tal element of being human. It’s a main feature, not a bug. Yet there are ways to tone down the inner commotion. Medita tion can help. Communing with nature of ten works. Doing housework sometimes quells the clamor for me. The good news for you, Leo, is that you’re in a phase when it should be easier than usual to cultivate mental calm. Halloween costume sugges tion: meditation champion; tranquility superstar; gold medalist in the relaxation tournament.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) “Education is an admirable thing,” said author Oscar Wilde. “But it is well to remember that nothing worth knowing can be taught.” What?! That’s an exasperating theory. I don’t like it. In fact, I protest it. I reject it. I am especially opposed to it right now as I contemplate your enhanced power to learn amazing lessons and useful knowl edge and life-changing wisdom. So here’s my message for you, Virgo: What Oscar Wilde said DOES NOT APPLY to you these days. Now get out there and soak up all the inspiring teachings that are avail able to you. Halloween costume sugges tion: top student.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) To celebrate Halloween, I suggest you costume your self as a character you were in a past life. A jeweler in first-century Rome? A mid wife in 11th-century China? A salt trader in 14th-century Timbuktu? If you don’t have any intuitions about your past lives, be playful and invent one. Who knows? You might make an accurate guess. Why am I inviting you to try this fun exercise?

Because now is an excellent time to re-ac cess resources and powers and potentials you possessed long ago—even as far back as your previous incarnations.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) I guess it would be difficult to create a practical snake costume for Halloween. How would you move around? You’d have to slither across the floor and the ground every where you go. So maybe instead you could be a snake priest or snake priestess—a magic conjurer wearing snake-themed jewelry and clothes and crown. May be your wand could be a caduceus. I’m nudging you in this direction is because I think you will benefit from embodying the mythic attributes of a snake. As you know, the creature sheds its old skin to let new skin emerge. That’s a perfect symbol for rebirth, fertility, transformation, and healing. I’d love those themes to be your specialties in the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) “I need my sleep,” proclaimed Sagittarian come dian Bill Hicks. “I need about eight hours a day and about ten at night.” I don’t think you will need as much slumber as Hicks in the coming nights, Sagittarius. On the other hand, I hope you won’t scrimp on your travels in the land of dreams. Your decisions in the waking world will im prove as you give yourself maximum rest. The teachings you will be given while dreaming will make you extra smart and responsive to the transformations un folding in your waking life. Halloween costume suggestion: dancing sleepwalk er; snoozing genius; angel banishing a nightmare; fantastic dream creature.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) Recently, my mom told me my dad only spoke the Slovakian language, never English, until he started first grade in a school near De

troit, Michigan. Both of his parents had grown up in the Austro-Hungarian Em pire, but immigrated to the United States in their youth. When I related this story to my Slovakian cousin Robert Brežny, he assured me it’s not true. He met my dad’s mother several times, and he says she could not speak Slovakian. He thinks she was Hungarian, in fact. So it’s unlikely my dad spoke Slovakian as a child. I guess all families have odd secrets and myster ies and illusions, and this is one of mine. How about you, Capricorn? I’m happy to say that the coming months will be a fa vorable time to dig down to the roots of your family’s secrets and mysteries and illusions. Get started! Halloween costume suggestion: your most fascinating ances tor.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) My Aquari an friend Allie told me, “If a demon turned me into a monster who had to devour hu man beings to get my necessary protein, I would only eat evil billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.” What about you, Aquarius? If you woke up one morn ing and found you had transformed into a giant wolf-dragon that ate people, who would you put on your menu? I think it’s a good time to meditate on this hypothet ical question. You’re primed to activate more ferocity as you decide how you want to fight the world’s evil in the months and years to come. Halloween costume sug gestion: a giant wolf-dragon that eats bad people.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) Do you value the feeling of wildness? Is that an experience you seek and cultivate? If so, what conditions rouse it? How does it feel? When it visits you, does it have a healthy impact? Are you motivated by your pleasurable brushes with wildness to reconfigure the unsatisfying and unwild parts of your life? These are questions I hope you will contemplate in the coming weeks. The astrological omens suggest you have more power than usual to ac cess wildness. Halloween costume sug gestion: whatever makes you feel wild.

Edited by Will Shortz