Tucson Weekly, Nov. 18, 2021 by Times Media Group

CURRENTS: BIGHORN SHEEP BOUNCING BACK FROM BIGHORN FIRE

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Holiday Happenings a Ganj gift ! guide

All the merry fun you could want in the weeks to come! Plus: A Tucson Weekly gift guide!

ARTS: Joel-Peter Witkin at Etherton Gallery

TUCSON WEEDLY: Ganja Gift Guide 2021

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NOVEMBER 18, 2021

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | VOL. 36, NO. 46

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STAFF

CONTENTS

CURRENTS

Mount Lemmon’s bighorn sheep population is stable after last summer’s fire

FEATURE

Your holiday gift guide and events calendar

CINEMA

A new documentary offers a revealing portrait of author Kurt Vonnegut

MUSIC

EDITOR’S NOTE

Get Your Holly Jollies Here WE’RE A WEEK OUT FROM THANKSGIVING and holiday merch has been on the store shelves for three or four months now, so I reckon it’s safe to say that the holiday season is here. It’s easy to hate on the holidays and all the hoopla that goes along with them, but COVID and having young children has given me a fresh appreciation for them. It’s not so much the shopping or the gifts or the stress that comes along with this time of year. It’s the chance to spend time with the extended family—something we couldn’t do last year—and break bread around a table. Especially one that includes some pie for desert. This week, we bring you a calendar of holiday events as well as a guide to some local shops where you might want to find gifts. But as I’ve written too many times, be cautious out there. COVID numbers continue to rise at an alarming rate and even if you’re vaccinated, there are breakthrough cases. And if you’re not vaccinated, do consider getting the shot. Too many kids won’t be celebrating the holidays with a parent or grandparent this year because too many people didn’t want to get a shot. Elsewhere in the paper this week: In something of a Christmas miracle, President Joe Biden has signed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure

bill into law; you’ll find details on Page 5. Plus, managing editor Jeff Gardner examines how Mount Lemmon’s bighorn sheep are recovering from last year’s Bighorn Fire; columnist Tom Danehy finds rhyme and reason with a young poet; movie critic Bob Grimm enjoys a documentary about author Kurt Vonnegut; Reel Indie columnist Matthew Singer rounds up the movie screenings that might not be on your radar; arts writer Margaret Regan gets a look at the show of photography at Etherton Gallery; Chow contributor noodles around downtown’s OBON sushi and ramen bar; XOXO columnist Xavier Otero tells you all about the live music you can see this week (but please wear a mask if you go out); the Tucson Weekly Test Department brings you a ganja gift guide for the stoners in your life; and there’s plenty more scattered around these pages. Plus, after you’re done reading this week’s edition, you can turn it into wrapping paper for all those holiday gifts. Be well! Jim Nintzel Executive Editor Hear Nintz talk about all things Tucson Weekly at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays during the world-famous Frank Show on KLPX, 96.1 FM.

RANDOM SHOTS By Rand Carlson

Bisbee rock group The Exbats have been hitting the used vinyl section

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It’s the holiday ganja gift guide!

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NOVEMBER 18, 2021

CURRENTS

PHOTO BY ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT

SURVIVAL ON THE MOUNTAIN Bighorn sheep population stable after fire, monsoon

By Jeff Gardner jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com IT WAS BIGHORN AGAINST BIGHORN

last summer when a wildfire burned more than 100,000 acres of the Catalina Mountains, charring the forest and spreading smoke across the Tucson valley. The Bighorn fire was named after the bighorn sheep that inhabit the mountains. In the months following the fire, the Arizona Game & Fish Department says one of the most frequent questions they received was: how are the bighorn sheep doing? “They got through the fire OK, as far as we can tell,” AZGFD public information officer Mark Hart said. “We’re calling the herd stable, which is significant when you consider the fire and the drought… We saw them maneuvering above, below and around the fire, which is what we’d expect. And there were no known mortalities or entrapped bighorns due to the fire that were overcome by smoke.” October helicopter surveys of the Catalinas counted 35 bighorn sheep. For calculation purposes, this is estimated to be 50% to 65% of the total sheep population. Biologists were also encouraged by the sight of a lamb and several yearlings

think hunting caused them to disappear,” Hart said. “No one who’s actually studied bighorns in the Catalinas can point to one thing. We like to think fire suppression efforts over the years allowed habitats to get too dense for bighorns, which need clear lines of sight to evade predators. And then we had the Bullock and Aspen fires which burned much of the bighorn sheep management area.” The reintroduced sheep were initially tracked via GPS collars. However, Hart says these collars only transmitted for two to three years. The herd ranged from 53 to 70, but some were lost due to mountain lions and pneumonia. AZGFD estimates their population in the Catalinas would have continued growing if not for drought conditions. “Since the monsoon rains have come in, that has improved their habitat. But we’ll really see how much it’s improved their habitat about five years down the road. We still need monsoons, obviously, but it was very apparent when we were flying the survey how greened up the Catalinas already were,” Hart said. “It’s all about the

(young sheep over a year old) among the herd. SORENSEN Prior to the Bighorn Fire, AZGFD counted 75 sheep. During the fire, wildlife managers and concerned citizens spotted dozens of the sheep moving around the fire in the Catalinas’ rocky terrain. The desert bighorn sheep is one of several types of bighorn sheep in North America. Adults can grow up to 300 pounds. According to the National Park Service, because the sheep are sensitive to human intervention, weather and predation, they are sometimes considered an indicator of overall ecological health. Hart says AZGFD would have conducted a helicopter survey last year were it not for the pandemic. However, the sheep were not always counted by sight. Bighorn sheep were reintroduced to the Catalina Mountains from 2013 to 2016. AZGFD moved the sheep in groups of 30 from mountains near Yuma, as well as Superstition Mountains. “Historically, they were in the Catalinas for centuries. We know that from petroglyphs depicting bighorn sheep, as well as the fossil record. And with the advent of newspapers, we know there was a fair degree of market hunting. But we don’t

weather. What the bighorns really like is new growth, and we have new growth on the mountain right now. That affects births and lamb survival. So we think the population only remained stable before the fire because of the drought.” 2021’s active monsoon season—the third rainiest on record—improved drought conditions throughout Arizona, particularly along the borderlands. As of June 15, the majority of Pima County was categorized as D4, or “exceptional drought,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s most severe drought label. During the heavy monsoon, no part of Pima County measured above D1, or moderate drought, with some corners of the county not even reaching drought conditions at all. Hart says AZGFD may have actually counted more bighorn sheep during their survey if not for all the plant coverage as a result of this summer’s heavy rains. “We may have had better numbers,” Hart said. “But given everything that has happened, we’re happy we have stable numbers.” ■

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

CURRENTS

and Senate who attended the bill signing included, according to news releases and social-media posts: • Sinema and Democratic Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego Biden signs $1.2T infrastructure bill: ‘America is moving again’ • Sen. John Hickenlooper, (D-Colo.), and Democratic Colorado Rep. Ed Perlmutter • Democratic Florida Reps. Val Demings and Debbie Wasserman Schultz Two senators critical to reaching By Laura Olson, Ariana Figueroa and • Georgia’s Democratic senators, Jon agreement on the infrastructure plan, Jacob Fischler Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and DemDemocratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Ari- ocratic Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath Arizona Mirror zona and Republican Sen. Rob Portman • Rep. Cindy Axne, (D-Iowa) of Ohio, joined Biden on stage for the • Sen. Bill Cassidy, (R-La.) PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ON MONDAY bill signing and spoke ahead of the pres• Sen. Susan Collins, (R-Maine), and ident’s remarks. signed into law his $1.2 trillion biparDemocratic Maine Rep. Chellie Pingree “Our legislation represents the subtisan infrastructure bill during a cere• Democratic Maryland Rep. Kweisi stantive policy changes that some have Mfume mony at the White House packed with some 800 supporters, heralding what he said are no longer possible in today’s • Reps. Elissa Slotkin, Debbie Dingell, said was a “truly consequential” spend- Senate,” Sinema said. “How many times Dan Kildee and Haley Stevens, all Michhave we heard that important policy ing bill that will improve Americans’ igan Democrats can only happen on a party line? Our day-to-day lives. • Democratic Nevada Sens. Catherine But Democrats also emphasized that legislation proves the opposite.” Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen and Rep. Portman also lauded the bipartisan there is more to come—a $1.85 trillion Susie Lee social spending measure that still faces work involved in approving the in• New Jersey Democratic Reps. Josh frastructure measure, saying the deal a close final vote in the U.S. House and Gottheimer and Tom Malinowski became possible after the group of major changes in the evenly divided Senate, where passage will have to come lawmakers involved in negotiations • agreed to shrink the package down to without GOP support. physical infrastructure—and separate Biden said the infrastructure legislation—backed by nearly all congressional out Biden’s proposals for new social and Democrats, as well as 19 Senate Repub- climate-change programs. “Mr. President … you and I will dislicans and 13 House Republicans—is agree on the tax and spending (provia signal that polarized public officials sions) in the other priority you have, in Washington can come together to the reconciliation bill, but I think we create jobs and solve long-lingering can both agree that this infrastructure problems. “My message to the American people investment shouldn’t be a one-time bipartisan accomplishment,” said Portis: America is moving again. And your man, who is retiring at the end of his life is going to change for the better,” term next year. Biden said during the South Lawn “This should be the beginning of a ceremony attended by federal and state renewed effort to work together on big legislators, governors, mayors, labor issues facing this country,” Portman leaders, business leaders, and other added. supporters. In his remarks before signing the bill, The signing marked a significant Biden praised Portman as well as Senate victory for the president’s economic Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ragenda. Ky.), who voted for the bill but did not But the tougher step still looms, as Democrats attempt to rally their narrow attend Monday’s ceremony. The new law, Biden said, is “proof majorities to pass the accompanying that, despite the cynics, Democrats and bill that would spend trillions more on new programs to expand access to child Republicans can come together and care and preschool and combat climate deliver results.” Bipartisan members of the U.S. House change.

BIPARTISAN BREAKTHROUGH

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Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux, (D-Ga.) • Portman and Democratic Ohio Reps. Joyce Beatty and Marcy Kaptur • Pennsylvania Reps. Susan Wild, Brendan Boyle, Dwight Evans, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon and Conor Lamb, all Democrats • Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and Reps. Don Beyer and Jennifer Wexton, all Democrats Also on hand were governors from Pennsylvania, Maine, New Mexico and Louisiana. Provisions of the new law include $110 billion to repair and rebuild roads and bridges; $90 billion for public transit; and $66 billion for passenger rail improvements. Airports and ports also will see an infusion of federal funding, as will the country’s electric grid. Billions more will pay for electric vehicle charging stations and the purchase of buses and ferries that run on electricity. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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NOVEMBER 18, 2021

INFRASTRUCTURE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Another $65 billion will go toward expanding access to broadband internet across the country, a provision touted during the signing ceremony by Donneta Williams, president of the United Steelworkers Local 1025 at a Wilmington, N.C., plant producing optical fiber needed for broadband upgrades. “To paraphrase one of my favorite former vice presidents, it’s a big effing deal,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Before heading to the White House, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat who was among the 10 senators who wrote the bill, told reporters on a press call that the signing was the culmination of several months of negotiation. “This is one of the best days I’ve had in Washington, D.C.,” Tester told reporters. “This is something that, for six months we met and we argued and we fought and we worked and in the end

5th Now in our 3

we got something that is the biggest non-emergency investment in infrastructure in our nation’s history.” The legislation drew some bipartisan support in both chambers. But the 13 House Republicans who joined Democrats in support of the bill have faced backlash for that vote from constituents and some of their colleagues. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) tweeted that they were “traitors,” and posted their office phone numbers. GOP opponents of the measure have decried it as part of a “spending spree” by Democrats. “Tennesseans want real infrastructure investment, not frivolous left-wing programs that add to our nation’s debt,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) fumed in a press release ahead of the bill signing, slamming it as the “gateway” to the human infrastructure bill Democrats are still seeking to pass. A half-dozen progressive House Democrats also opposed the physical infrastructure bill. Those “no” votes included Reps. Il-

han Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Cori Bush of Missouri, who wanted the $1.85 trillion social safety net and climate bill, known as “Build Back Better,” to be voted on at the same time as the infrastructure bill. House Democrats have voted to set the terms of debate over the social reform package, and have aimed to hold a final vote as soon as this week. “This is a great accomplishment, and there’s more to come,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said at the White House. Environmental advocacy groups and their allies in the Congressional Progressive Caucus also have sought to present the infrastructure bill and the $1.85 trillion social spending plan as a package deal. “This is scene one of a two-act play,” Manish Bapna, the president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement. “It sets the stage for Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act. That’s the centerpiece of President Biden’s strategy to drive

year!

equitable recovery with climate action in a moment the country urgently needs both.” Asked about the social spending and climate bill, Tester stressed that it and the physical infrastructure bill are separate measures. His priorities in the larger spending plan include making child care more accessible and affordable, providing federal housing funding and addressing climate change, he added. During Monday’s ceremony, Vice President Kamala Harris also framed the two infrastructure bills as a set that is to be completed. “This legislation, as significant as it is, as historic as it is, is part one of two,” Harris said. “Congress must also pass the Build Back Better Act.” ■ This article originally appeared in the Arizona Mirror, an online nonprofit news site.

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POETRY ISN’T TOM’S JAM, BUT A NEW BOOK BY MARQUEZ PRICE HAS HIM RETHINKING RHYME SCHEMES By Tom Danehy, tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com SO, THIS GUY I KNOW NAMED Marquez Price has released a book of poetry and it’s selling well on Amazon. My Train Is On Schedule is deeply introspective, so if you’ve seen any one of The Expendables movies, don’t buy this book. Marquez is the son of Delano Price, a legendary figure in Tucson sports. Delano (pronounced Duh-lay-no, not Dell-uh-no) was half of the greatest guard tandem in Tucson prep sports history. He and his running mate, the iconic Hoegie Simmons, led Tucson High to the big-school state championship in 1969. I first came across Hoegie Simmons when I was playing basketball for Cochise College. We came up to Tucson for a oneday doubleheader at the University of Arizona. We played (and beat) the UA JVs in the first game and were set to play Navajo Junior College (now Northland Pioneer) in the second game. But they got snowed in, so the tournament director set up a game for us with the top city league team. We were flying high at the time with a record of 6-1. We were shooting around before the game when our opponents walked onto the McKale floor. I turned to my teammate,

CLAYTOONZ By Clay Jones

Tommy Williams (who would later play for Fred Snowden at the UA), and said, “Look at this, dude. We’re playin’ Fred’s Liquor Store.” Leading them onto the court with an unmistakable swagger was a short, stocky guy with one of the longest arms-to-torso ratios I’ve ever seen. I remember thinking, “That guy looks like he killed his own parents.” It was Hoegie Simmons, who (with all due respect to future NBA All-Stars Sean Elliott and Fat Lever) is the greatest highschool basketball player in Tucson history. Hoegie torched us that day for 67 points (out of his team’s 84) and this was before the three-pointer existed. Four of my teammates fouled out trying to guard him. Late in the game, he did a spin move to the baseline and I used the angle to cut him off. He went high into the air and then, just to show me that he could, he did a 360-degree spin before shooting the ball. As it went in, he said, “Good D, Man.” I thought to myself, “God just talked to me!” For years after I came up to the UA, I played in pickup games at Bear Down with Hoegie and Delano. I have great respect for Delano, but I absolutely worship Hoegie. If you were on his team, you were on the court

all day long. And so I have known Marquez, on and off, since he was born and sat on his dad’s lap when Delano was coaching the Sunnyside High boys’ team. Marquez grew to become a baller, as well. He played collegiately at Mesa Community before finishing up at the UA, where he majored in…Philosophy. And yet, somehow, he has never worked at a coffee shop. I had to write a poem in high school once. It went: Roses are red, Violets are blue. I like peanut butter, Can you swim? The teacher was this hippie dude who taught at a ghetto school because he “wanted to help people.” He thought I was all avant-garde and stuff. I got an “A”. And the crazy thing is that I don’t like peanut butter. I’ve tasted it exactly once in my life and didn’t care for it. I didn’t give it a second chance. It’s weird. I’ve always loved song lyrics. I mean who doesn’t absolutely adore “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day; when it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May”? Or even “These damn food stamps won’t buy diapers; and it’s no movie, there’s no Mekhi Phifer…” But poetry has always left me flat. I sort of appreciate the darkness of “The Raven,” but stuff like “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” made me want to invent a time machine so I could go back in time and kick

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T.S. Eliot’s ass for being so damned whiny. Anyway, I was looking through Marquez’s book and I came across a poem called “Patterns.” It reads: The birds and bees talk with my nephew will go like this. Your grandfather abandoning your father was not your fault. Your father abandoning you was not your fault. The generational pattern is your responsibility to break. That’s way too deep for me. Even after having earned a living as a writer all these decades, if I had to write a poem today, it would probably have the word “Nantucket” in it. He’s got another book of poetry coming out next month, plus a novel and a third book of poetry scheduled for publication in 2022. He says that he has faced the same problems and challenges that have plagued writers ever since God wrote the Bible. “The process (of writing poetry) is painstaking because every word is handled like the birth of a child. You read the material repeatedly—from your own perspective and then the perspective of the reader. That’s a rabbit hole in itself.” I’m going to send this to Marquez. Maybe he can sneak it in his next book. For a time I was a poet in motion, To the game, I gave my devotion. I used to be as smooth as a lotion, But then I got old. ■

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NOVEMBER 18, 2021

HoliDaze 2021

Your holiday gift & event guide

IT’S BETTER TO GIVE

HoliDaze 2021

Where to shop local this holiday season

Staff Report tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN: The holidays are here! And the staff of Tucson Weekly is ready to help you find one-of-a-kind local gifts for everyone on your list. Take a look and support local stores while you buy! Ajo Bikes, 1301 E. Ajo Way. Whether you’re looking for a new bike, a tune-up for your wheels or just nifty accessories as stocking stuffers, Ajo Bikes is the place to look. With friendly service and skilled technicians, they’ll have you spinning your wheels on Christmas day. This shop specializes in those

recumbent three-wheelers you see on the road, too, so if you’re looking for something different, you’ll want to shop here. Classy Closets, 2010 N. Forbes Blvd. If you can’t seem to get yourself organized, Classy Closets is the place to turn. You’ll get a free in-home consultation with a specialist who can design a new closet space just for your needs, with your own custom materials. Before you know it, all that clutter will be a Ghost of Christmas Past and you’ll finally be able to find that Diane Von Furstenberg dress when it’s time to go out on New Year’s Eve.

Rescue Me Marana. Tucson Premium Outlets, 6401 W. Marana Center Blvd. If you’re looking for a new pet for the family, you should check out Rescue Me Marana, a new shop dedicated to finding new homes for stray and unwanted pets. You’ll find all you need to bring a new family member into your home, including the necessary accessories to make sure their lives are happy ones. Blue Willow, 2626 N. Campbell Ave. The tiny gift shop at Blue Willow features one-of-a-kind gifts for all ages alongside a fantastic selection of cards. Best of all, while you’re shopping there, you can take a break and enjoy breakfast or lunch on the gorgeous patio. Philabaum Glass Gallery, 711 S. Sixth Ave. Glassmaker extraordinaire Tom Philabaum may have retired, but

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

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the gallery that bears his name is still going strong. You’ll find fabulous works of glass art here that will dazzle any friend or family member. Tubac Center of the Arts. 9 Plaza Road, Tubac. If you’re into a road trip for your holiday shopping—or want to get away for a day trip if you’re lucky enough to have some time off—Tubac offers a wonderful getaway. With a huge collection of artist studios and shops, you’ll find all manner of unique gifts, as well as a terrific state park and more. Babylon Market, 3954 E. Speedway Blvd. If you have someone on your list who likes cooking, or just likes food, then it’s worth taking a trip to Babylon Market to see what you can find. For a last-minute treat to bring to a party, you can’t go wrong with their fresh baklava. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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NOVEMBER 18, 2021

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HoliDaze 2021 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Their tea selection is enough to make the loose leaf enthusiast in your life sing. And, for the chef in your life, you honestly can’t go wrong by getting them a selection of spices or sauces to try out in new recipes. A Weekly staff member who is a hobbyist cook calls their spice section “frankly thrilling.” Harlow Gardens, 5620 E. Pima St. Do you know any plant lovers? Or maybe just someone who you think needs to learn a little bit about responsibility and caring for a low-stakes living thing? Give the gift of plants! A living pot of flowers lasts so much longer than a bouquet, herbs make a perfect companion for the blossoming chef in your life, and a cactus is the perfect choice for a low-maintenance friend looking for a low-maintenance companion. Honestly,

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just taking someone to Harlow Gardens—a colorful wonderland of plants, pottery and garden art—would be a great gift in and of itself. Throw in a succulent and you’ll be hailed as the best gift giver in town. The Ninth House, 2563 E. Fort Lowell Road. Got someone in your family into all things tarot, crystal, and nature related? We recommend checking out The Ninth House to find the perfect gift for your metaphysical friend. This witchy shop updates their inventory every week to include local artists, vendors, and international authors. If you are new to the metaphysical world, the shop’s retail associates are highly knowledgeable and may even give you an astrological reading if you dare to ask. We recommend checking out their eccentric book collection and their Feel Good Flower Tea.

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A succulent from Harlow Gardens or another local nursery makes for an easy, low-work gift with a little desert flair.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. There are all sorts of great holiday shows coming to the crown jewel of downtown theaters, including An Irish Christmas (Dec. 10), Mariachi Sol De Mexico’s “Mariachi Christmas” (Dec. 9) and In the Holiday Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular (Dec. 18). They’ll also be showing movies such as “A Christmas Story” (Nov. 28) and “Jingle All the Way” (Dec. 12). Plus, there’s plenty of other great shows coming up featuring Lindsey Buckingham (Dec. 5), Robert Cray (Dec. 11) and comedian Tom Papa (Jan. 8). So whether you want to get into the Christmas spirit or just have a fun night out, the Fox is the place to be.

A Loft Cinema membership or merch is part of the Tucson gift starter pack.

The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Unfortunately, you probably can’t actually buy your beloved (or your mom or your uncle or your best friend) the entire Loft Cinema this year—and we wouldn’t want you to, anyway! It’s a place that’s meant to be shared by the community. But a Loft Membership is really the gift that keeps on giving. Did you know members get to see a free movie every month? And that

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they get free popcorn every time they go? (Every time!) And it comes with bragging rights that include unlimited use of the word “cinephile” as a self-descriptor. If you’re looking for something even more flashy, you can look into paying to post a message on the Loft’s marquee for $100 a day. And if you’re looking for something more affordable, try a neat Loft T-shirt.

Vintage, 424 E. How Sweet it Was Vintage Sixth St. There is a blessedly wide selection of thrift and vintage stores here in the Old Pueblo, and you can’t go wrong at most of them. But we love this one, located just off Fourth Avenue and brimming with unique antiques and vintage clothing. They’ve got an outstanding selection of clothing, jewelry and accessories that are well-organized and fun to sort through, making it easy to find gifts for your loved ones and ideas for what to say when people ask what you want for Christmas this year. Pet Photoshoot with Candice Eaton Photography. Speaking as pet experts (meaning, some of us have pets), this is one of the best gifts you can get the animal lover in your life. Candice Eaton is a photographer who has developed a specialty in pet photography, and she’s damn good at it. Just check out her website to see some of the sweet photos she’s captured. She even has a

HoliDaze 2021 photo in her portfolio in which she captured EIGHT dogs, almost all wearing birthday hats, sitting still in front of birthday cupcakes with lit candles. Is she a wizard? Probably! She also doesn’t put a time limit on her sessions -- she’ll shoot as long as it takes to get a ton of great photos of even the most squirrelly pets. She does studio shoots, outdoor shoots and lifestyle shoots, of both pets alone and pets with their owners. Get her booked! Native Seeds/SEARCH, 3061 N. Campbell Ave. This nonprofit organization has been dedicated to protecting agro-biodiversity through seed conservation for more than 30 years. After all, these seeds represent the cultural and farming knowledge from generations of both Indigenous and immigrant communities. So, right off the bat, you’re supporting a good cause. You can buy vegetable, grass, bean or flower

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seeds for the gardener on your list from the shop’s abundant selection. While you’re there, you can pick up a piece of artwork, jewelry or basketry created by an Indigenous community member. The Scented Leaf, multiple locations. Next time you’re stopping into The Scented Leaf for one of their teas on tap, you might as well pick up a few gifts for friends and family. If you know your friend’s taste in tea, you’ll be able to get them something they’re sure to love, but which is still completely unique. If you’re not sure, you can opt for one of their best sellers, like the prickly pear rooibos, honey vanilla nectar or earl grey creme (that last one is our favorite!) And one of Scented Leaf’s sampler packs makes a great gift even for people who aren’t into tea. After a few cups of Scented Leaf, they will be!

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Keep your friends and family warm from the hostile Tucson winters with a selection of tea from The Scented Leaf.

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HoliDaze 2021 Your holiday gift & event guide

SEASON’S MEETINGS Holiday events abound across the community Jeff Gardner jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com Thanksgiving at Charro Restaurants. Tucson’s favorite family of Mexican-inspired restaurants are hosting a variety of options for Thanksgiving feasts across town. First, you can pick up a whole Thanksgiving feast from Barrio

Charro (3669 N. Campbell Ave.) which includes turkey, tamal stuffing, poblano mashed potatoes, nopalitos and pumpkin tamales. Or, you can dine-in at Charro Steak & Del Rey (188 E. Broadway) where they’re serving up many of the same dishes, plus prime rib, Mexican street corn, and a special pumpkin tres leches cake. For the vegetarians, Charro Vida (7109 N. Oracle Road) is offering

a “Plantsgiving” dinner special from November 23 through 27, where you can pick up an entree, two sides and a dessert, all for $23. www.sicharro.com

poblano peppers and much more. 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 10000 N. Oracle Road. $65 for adults. $25 for children. Call 520544-1124 for reservations.

Thanksgiving Buffet at El Conquistador. You can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner beneath Pusch Ridge at Hilton El Conquistador. Their Thanksgiving buffet features far too much to list here, but standouts include turkey with orange cranberry drizzle, roasted ham with cherry pineapple salsa, Southwestern cornbread, brown sugar and pecan yams, roasted garlic mashed potato with chives, stuffed

Roadrunners’ Thanksgiving Dinner Donation Program. Through Tuesday, Nov. 23, the Tucson Roadrunners hockey team is hosting a new dinner donation program. The Roadrunners are working with the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson to provide Title I families with a complete Thanksgiving Dinner. For $100 donations, the Roadrunners will CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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provide another dinner. Every donor will receive a puck signed by Roadrunners Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov and the opportunity for a group photo with all other fans who donated at the game on Nov. 26. Tucsonroadrunners.com Hanksgiving. Hotel Congress is hosting a benefit show/dance party the day after Thanksgiving with multiple electronic musicians. The lineup includes Kid Violet, Glacier Wav and Dayak, plus a tattoo and skate shop pop-up. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Sonoran Prevention Works, which advocates for people in Arizona affected by drug abuse. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26. 311 E. Congress St. $15. Holiday shows at the Fox Theatre. The “crown jewel of downtown” is hosting everything from a Hawaiian to an Irish holiday show this November and December. They’re kicking things

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off with singer/songwriter Sara Evans’ Blue Christmas Tour on Friday, Nov. 26. On Saturday, Nov. 27, ukulele master and “jolly ambassador of Aloha” Jake Shimbukuro will bring joy to the world with his Jake Shimabukaroo Christmas in Hawaii event. Thursday, Dec. 9, will feature Mariachi Sol De Mexico presenting Jose Hernandez’s “Merry-Achi Christmas” with a tribute to the traditions of Christmas in Mexico. On Friday, Dec. 10, An Irish Christmas will blend old ways and new with dancing, singing, and traditional Irish music. Finally, on Saturday, Dec. 18, the Fox is hosting a holiday music spectacular. “In the Christmas Mood” features Tucson’s top performers including Katherine Byrnes, Brian Levario, Chach Snook and Crystal Stark. 17 W. Congress St. www.foxtucson.com Winterhaven Festival of Lights. COURTESY PHOTO After a dark and quiet 2020, the beloved Winterhaven Festival of Lights is back The Winterhaven Festival of Lights returns this year! Head over from Dec. 11 through Dec. 26 for Christmas lights, caroling, hayrides, and more. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Southern Arizona’s only all-glass art gallery, representing over 50 nationally recognized artists since 1982

DOWNTOWN 711 South 6th Avenue (520) 884-7404 www.philabaumglass.com

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on this year. For the holidays, Tucson’s coziest neighborhood fills itself with lights, festivities and plenty of holiday cheer. The public can stroll through the Winterhaven neighborhood and enjoy a major amount of Christmas lights, as well as caroling, hot chocolate, hay rides and letters to Santa. “Although it is still possible that our local government may restrict events such as these in the future, at this time, we are going ahead with all planning for the event,” wrote festival chair John Lansdale. Really, no Christmas in Tucson is complete without the Winterhaven Festival of Lights. 6 to 10 p.m. every day from Saturday, Dec. 11 to Sunday, Dec. 26. Based around Christmas Ave. December events at Tucson Museum of Art. Downtown’s Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block is keeping a busy schedule throughout December,

starting with their free first Thursday on Dec. 2, where the public can enjoy music, artmaking, a bar and take a look at what’s to come at the museum. TMA is also hosting two “trunk shows” on Dec. 4 and 12 with artists making and selling their crafts right in the museum. Finally, Sunday, Dec. 12, is Family Day at TMA. There will be children’s activities, a holiday performance and a special visit from Santa. 140 N. Main Avenue. TucsonMuseumOfArt.org Downtown ice rink. Ice skating in Tucson is no longer just a wild fantasy! Rio Nuevo and the City of Tucson are re-opening their outdoor ice rink downtown from Saturday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Jan. 9. Tickets can be purchased online and at the Tucson Convention Center ticket office. Each session will start at a designated time and last for 90 minutes. Skates are included with the ticket price and begin at size 8 for children and run as large as men’s size 15. Socks are required, and gloves are highly recommended. 260 S.

Church Ave. $17 for adults, $12 for children. tucsonaz.gov/tucsonholidayice Elf’d. Eastside Tucson’s beloved Gaslight Theatre is getting into the holiday spirit with a parody musical of the Christmas film “Elf.” If you’ve never been to the Gaslight Theatre, here’s what to expect: parodies of classic songs, corny jokes, family friendly fun, endearing costumes and props, and a generally great time. Plus, diner food and drinks to enjoy while you watch the show. It’ll have holiday jokes, candy cane colors, fake snow and—just taking a guess here—Santa himself! The show is running most days of the week through the new year. 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. www.thegaslighttheatre.com Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting. The Town of Marana is kicking off the holiday season with a variety of events in the town center. In addition to Santa and Mrs. Claus saying hi to the kids and a 25-foot Christmas tree lighting, there

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will be singing, dancing, country music and more. The performance schedule includes the Marana Children’s Choir, Desert Dance Collective, Kevin Pakulis and his Band, Marana High School Chamber Orchestra, Mountain View High School Dance and more. The festival will also include more than 40 food trucks and a holiday artisan market. 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. 11555 W. Civic Center Drive. Tchaikovsky and Carols. The Tucson Symphony Orchestra is celebrating the holidays with a pair of themed events. On Friday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 12, they will be performing music from Tchaikovsky, the Russian composer famous for his Nutcracker Suite. Then, on Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19, at Catalina Foothills High School, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra will host a “Messiah, Carols and Songs” performance, featuring the music of Bach, Handel and traditional carols. www.tucsonsymphony.org CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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Wanderland at the Botanical Gardens features hundreds of luminaria lights.

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Jonathan’s Cork Food Drive. Jonathan’s Cork is launching a food drive for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to give the community plenty of time to contribute. Last year, the drive brought in 2,000 pounds of food and more than $500 in cash donations in just over a month, and they’re looking forward to beating that this year, with an effort that runs all the way through Dec. 22. Canned and dry goods are welcome, and envelopes for cash donations will be available as well. Items can be dropped off Mondays through Thursdays from 3 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m. (P.S.: They’ve got special cocktail pricing for those who bring food donations throughout the campaign.) 6320 E. Tanque Verde Road. Country-Fried Christmas. Downtown’s Hotel Congress is gathering a whole slew of country western musicians to belt out themed holiday tunes. The lineup includes SouthWestern Stars, Mamma Coal, Steff Koeppen, Hans Hutchison, Alvin Blaine, Thøger Lund and Les Merrihew. The event will be held outdoors on the Congress plaza (or indoors if it’s too cold!) 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23. 311 E. Congress St. $15.

Wanderland. One of our favorite holiday events around town, the Tucson Botanical Gardens’ Wanderland (formerly Luminaria Nights) lights up the garden with thousands of lanterns and lights. Take an evening stroll through the plants while enjoying festive holiday music, hundreds of poinsettias, and plenty of colorful arrays. It’s easily one of the most photogenic events in Tucson every holiday season. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Dec. 3 through Jan. 2. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15. Tucsonbotanical.org Victorian Christmas at the Lavender Farm. Talk about a pleasant-sounding time! Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm in Oracle is hosting a unique way to celebrate the holidays. You’re invited to don your best Victorian attire and enjoy a three-course holiday dinner complete with the Scottsdale Dickens Carolers performing traditional holiday songs. 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. 1221 N. Rancho Robles Road. $75. lifeundertheoakslavenderfarm.com For more event listings, visit TucsonWeekly.com

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Editor’s Note: While we are delighted to see Tucsonans once again gathering for fun events, we are also aware that the Delta variant is in widespread circulation. Please consider getting vaccinated against COVID if you haven’t yet and following CDC guidance, which includes wearing masks at crowded indoor events. Keep yourself and others safe—the pandemic isn’t over yet. 36th Annual TMA Fall Artisans Market. We’re lucky to live in a place where the artisan markets and crafts fairs are as abundant as they are lovely. Be sure to get this one on your calendar to bang out some Christmas shopping. From pottery and glass to jewelry and textiles, from crafts to original artwork, you’ll be sure to check a couple of names off your shopping list. And to most likely get something for yourself, because—if you’re anything like me—you’re going to fall in love with a cutting board or a wall hanging or something. This is also a great way to support the Tucson Museum of Art! 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 21. 140 N. Main Ave. Free. Will and the Wolf. To-Ree-Nee-Wolf is an award-winning artist, singer-songwriter and actor who has been with Invisible Theatre for years, and who says, “I choose to inhabit a world where I add to the light of things.” Will Clipman, who has been playing the drums and piano since he was 3 years old, is a seven-time Grammy nominee and a three-time Native American Music Award winner. The two have come together to present the world premier of this show, which uses music and masks to tell a story of gratitude and beauty. 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18, and Friday, Nov. 19. 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20. Invisible Theatre, 1400 N. First Ave. $40, or $20 for students. Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test required. Himmel Parkrun Anniversary Celebration. Are you familiar with parkruns? They’re a super cool concept that originated in London 17 years ago. Basically, folks get together every week (or as often as they want) to do a 5K and focus on the running and camaraderie, not the racing or the competition. Globally, these events attract nearly 200,000 people every Saturday to neighborhood parks in 22 countries. Tucson’s parkrun is the only one in Arizona, and one of just 51 in the United States. More than 700 people have participated in one of Himmel’s 93 events so far, with

El Tour Expo & Fiesta. If you haven’t already decided whether to participate in any of this year’s El Tour races—from the one-mile fun ride to the 102-miler—then you’re probably not going to decide to at this stage. But you can still get involved in the festivities surrounding the event, like this fun-filled, three-day expo. If you’re a cyclist yourself, you’ll love the mix of big brand and local exhibitors, the panels and the product demos. If you’re not a cyclist, you’ll still enjoy the souvenir and nonprofit booths, the food and beverage trucks, the giveaways, and the beer garden. Noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 and Friday, Nov. 19. 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Armory Park, 221 S. Sixth Ave. Free.

by Emily Dieckman

Trenton Davis at the Wench. Trenton Davis has done a LOT of standup comedy, so he’s got plenty of practice in making people laugh. (I like his joke about trying to body roll liquid down your throat instead of swallowing—much quieter! Much more subtle!) He was runner-up in both the 2016 San Francisco International Comedy Competition and the NBC Standup for Diversity program. The show will also feature Savannah Hernandez, Eden Nault and Hedi Sandberg. 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets are $15 are each, with discounts if you buy two or more. A limited number will be available at the door, but capacity is limited, so they recommend buying in advance. La Encantada Fine Art Market. Don’t you feel extra fancy and sophisticated every time you’re walking around La Encantada? Heck, I feel extra fancy every time I say the phrase “La Encantada.” But at the artisan market, you get to take all those feelings of sophistication to a whole new level. AND you can do some holiday shopping and support local artists. From locally-designed fashion to metalwork to jewelry, from stained glass to paintings to botanicals, this place will be practically overflowing with beautiful, handcrafted pieces. So hop to it! 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. La Encantada Shopping Center, 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Free.

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about 30 people showing up each week. Whether you’re training for a big event or curious about trying your first 5K, it’s definitely worth checking out—especially this weekend, when they’re celebrating three years with some cake! 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Behind Himmel Park Library, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. Free but register in advance at parkrun.us./register.

Millie Arthur Gallery Holiday Art Sale & Silent Auction. This event allows you to kill not just two, but many birds, with one stone. A chance to share some holiday goodwill by supporting a fundraiser for the Tucson Women and Children’s Shelter? Check. The opportunity to feel fancy by participating in a silent auction? Check. A way to get some Christmas shopping done? Check. Aaaaaand entertainment and hor d’oeuvers? Check! Come on down to this charity event, where you can also enjoy a performance by Kinetic Arts. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Millie Arthur Gallery, 1672 N. Country Club Road. Coyote Classic All-Breed Dog Show. The Tucson Kennel Club and Greater Sierra Vista Kennel Club welcome spectators to this canine spectacular! Watch dogs from a wide variety of breeds put their best paws forward and strut their stuff, while you sit on the sidelines and say, “Wow, that one is so cute and good!” about every dog that is competing. They also have special competitions for agility, as well as for puppies and for junior handlers. Show hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, through Monday, Nov. 22. See coyoteclassic.org for information on specific showtimes. 113000 S. Houghton Road. Free to spectators. Twelfth Night. One of Shakespeare’s funniest plays is showing for one more weekend at the Rogue Theatre! It’s the wacky tale of Viola, who gets separated from her twin brother Sebastian, disguises herself as a man and falls in love with Duke Orsino. Duke is in love with Countess Olivia, but Countess Olivia is in love with Violadisguised-as-a-man. How will they sort out this mess of a love triangle? With an assortment of ridiculous antics, of course. This is also what the 2006 film “She’s the Man” is based on. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 20 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and Sunday, Nov. 21. You can also watch the video between Tuesday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Dec. 12. The Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd, suite 150. $42.

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CINEMA

SO IT GOES

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A new documentary offers a revealing portrait of author Kurt Vonnegut By Bob Grimm tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com

WRITER-DIRECTOR ROBERT B. WEIDE, BEST known for his contributions to Curb Your Enthusiasm, had been working on a Kurt Vonnegut documentary, with full cooperation from his subject, since the ’80s up until the author’s death. As of 2007, when the man who had become his good friend over the years succumbed to a head injury after falling down the stairs at his NYC home, the film had not been completed. Now, 14 years after the esteemed author of Slaughterhouse Five and Cat’s Cradle left the planet, the film is complete.

Something had compelled Weide (with the help of co-director Don Argott) to finally dive back in and finish his work and get the film out. Just like Vonnegut’s legendary struggles to complete his seminal Slaughterhouse Five, Weide had some struggles finding the binding agent that would hold his documentary together. Turns out, that binding agent was himself, for Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck In Time is very much about two people, the subject and the filmmaker, and their touching bond that formed over the years. This is a movie that makes you feel good not just because it’s a good movie (and it is), but because the documented friendship that both men had with one another, and how they enriched one another’s lives, is truly moving. The film starts with Weide sitting down for his fifth interview of himself for the film, and he laments the notion of injecting himself into his movie. Him being in the movie proves to be a blessing and gives the film a sweet emotional core, providing the kind of warmth that most probably wouldn’t expect in a Vonnegut biography. Vonnegut’s participation is extensive, and his interviews in the early film veer away from true emotion as Vonnegut uses dark humor as a shield for most of the pain he’s endured in life. This is a man who was present with the military, in a bunker under the city, as Dresden was firebombed to oblivion (a key element of Slaughterhouse Five). His recounting of that experience is shockingly void of the expected kind of reaction (tears, disgust, etc.). He laughs a lot when he talks about death. As he grows closer to Weide, and grows older, the humor never goes away, but a surprising sensitivity begins to emerge. Weide covers Vonnegut warts and all with his film, and the author certainly had his stumbles on his way to fame. But the true depth and brilliance of the man overshines the low points. Late in the film, Vonnegut is seen delivering a speech that implores those listening to include many people in their lives, even the imbeciles. There’s a little bit of sadness to it, because Vonnegut didn’t leave the planet with a large swath of people close to him, according to this film. But there is the sweetness in knowing Vonnegut did achieve an important bond or two during his time on the Earth, and Weide was one of them. The film works on a purely educational front as well, excellently covering the release of his major works in chronological order and providing sufficient stories and background for the different stages of his life that produced those books. Interviews with his sons and daughters are wonderfully candid, as they have no problem expressing the guy could be a bummer at times, but they always remained in awe of him. So, why did it take so long for the film to be completed? Weide provides a few excuses, including his sudden involvement with Curb moving to the forefront of his professional life. While the film doesn’t necessarily say so, perhaps it’s because Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time represents a goodbye to his friend, and goodbyes are painful. Sometimes it’s easier to delay that true goodbye. Hopefully, this film finds an audience not just with Vonnegut fans, but with the uninitiated. I read a few of his works many years ago, and this movie has me wanting to explore more of his novels and, consequently, more about the man behind those novels. That’s the mark of a good documentary. ■

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through hell to get home for, if only Fantastic Planet is something else, in making it something like Robert because the alternative is much worse. Altman’s Short Cuts, except with a several different senses of the term. Also, Steve Martin, John Candy and vignette highlighting the erotic uses A severely trippy sci-fi allegory, the of raw egg. The Loft, 3233 E. Speedway John Hughes are such an unassailable French-Czech co-production features ’80s comedy superteam it’s almost no naked aliens—at least none that are Blvd. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. unfair. Harkins Theatre, 5455 S. Calle meant to titillate—but uses its literalPlanes, Trains and Automobiles. For Santa Cruz. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23. ly otherworldly imagery to impart a not-particularly-subtle message about a holiday entirely about gorging yourWHAT TO RENT FROM CASA VIDself into a coma in front of a football interspecies subjugation and man’s game and/or dog show, Thanksgiving EO: The Last Waltz (1978). Actually, inhumanity to man. It frequently there’s at least one other Thanksgivgets a bad rap. In popular culture, ran as a double-feature with Yellow ing-related movie worth watching on Submarine in the ’70s, but in terms of it’s merely a speed bump on the road By Matthew Singer tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com Thanksgiving: Martin Scorsese’s docbugged-out psychedelia, it makes the to Christmas—an obligation to be umentary capturing the final concert Beatles look like Paw Patrol. The Loft, endured, along with under-seasoned by roots-rock greats the Band. Filmed potato salad and Uncle Ronnie’s vac3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 10 p.m. Frion Nov. 25, 1976, at San Francisco’s cine conspiracy theories. It’s an idea day-Saturday, Nov. 19-20. Winterland Ballroom, it plays out like Hollywood has helped perpetuate: If Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time. an extended family gathering, with there’s a movie set on Thanksgiving, When the author Kurt Vonnegut died Legend: The Director’s Cut. On paguests flying in from all over the coun90 percent of the time, it’s going to per, the legacy of Legend should be a in 2007 at age 84, it hit the literary try. Hey, everyone, Uncle Neil Young’s world hard, and Robert B. Weide hard- lot more, well, legendary. Ridley Scott involve family tensions boiling over here! And, uh, what’s that all over his at the dinner table. That’s why, three er. Twenty-five years earlier, the direc- directing a young Tom Cruise in a nose? Suggested beer pairing: Greentor—whose credits include a bunch of full-on, dwarves-and-unicorns fantasy decades on, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is still the only Thanksgiving wood Brewing’s Harvest Diem Spiced documentaries on old comedians and, epic? How is it not every ’80s baby’s favorite movie? As it happens, the film movie anyone actually wants to watch Beer. 2905 E Speedway Blvd. most famously, the first few seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm—befriended left much less of an impression on the around Thanksgiving. Sure, for travcultural imagination than other exam- el-phobes, it’s basically a 90-minute Vonnegut and began filming their ples of childhood nightmare fuel from panic attack, but it serves to present conversations for a hypothetical prothe era like Labyrinth and The Never- the holiday as something worth going ject somewhere down the line. With his subject gone, Weide figured it was Ending Story. Maybe it’s the generic finally time to put something together, title, or that the story feels like a patchand it only took another decade and a work of mythological tropes rather half to finish. For Slaughterhouse Five than a true original. Or perhaps it just fanatics, the wealth of unseen footage needed more Muppets. Whatever the case, in 2021, Legend exists essentially should justify a ticket on its own. But the trailer makes clear this movie is as as a big-budget, star-studded cult flick, with one enduring image: Tim Curry’s much about Weide and his relationhulking approximation of the devil, ship with Vonnegut as the name on the marquee, which will either elevate which set the template for horrifying demons that could nonetheless still it above mere biography or make for One Sick Year get it for decades to come. The Screenan irritating exercise in navel-gazing. Reﬂections and Remembrance TUCSON So it goes. The Loft, 3233 E. Speedway ing Room, 27 E. Congress St. 7:30 p.m. WEEKLY Friday, Nov. 19. Blvd. Friday-Tuesday, Nov. 19-23. 1

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Passing. In Rebecca Hall’s adaptation of Nella Larsen’s 1929 novel, two Black childhood friends, played by Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga, reunite in adulthood, with the latter now living under the guise of a white person. The Loft, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Friday-Tuesday, Nov. 19-23. Fantastic Planet. The phrase “adult animated feature” often raises some red flags, chief among them being, “Is this movie going to try to make me horny for cartoons?” But 1973’s

Rocky Horror Picture Show. The time warp? We’re doing that again?! The Loft, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20. Tampopo. Like so many George Costanza fantasies, Juzo Itami’s self-described “ramen western” intertwines food and sex into a discursive comedy that, 34 years after its initial release, remains both charming and nutty in equal measure. Its plot revolves around a Japanese noodle shop and the lives that intersect there,

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TUCSONWEEKLY.COM

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

ARTS & CULTURE

GOOD FOR THE SOUL

Etherton Gallery’s new home features a debut show from Joel-Peter Witkin By Margaret Regan tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com JOEL-PETER WITKIN’S NEXT exhibition is at the Louvre in Paris next year. It will no doubt be a mesmerizing show, but Tucsonans don’t have to fly across the Atlantic to see his lauded photography. Right now, the renowned photographer is exhibiting work in Tucson, at Etherton Gallery’s new digs in Barrio Viejo. Joel-Peter Witkin: Journeys of the Soul is a career survey of more than 50 works, including his rarely seen drawings. His elaborate staged photos honor all humankind—the living and the dead, the saints and the sinners, the sick and the well, and nude beauties of every imaginable gender identity. But hurry. The show will close at the end of the day next Saturday, Nov. 27. The show is timely for both the artist and the gallerist, Terry Etherton. The gallery is

celebrating its 40th anniversary, its recent move from downtown to the barrio and its long relationship with Witkin. The photographer, now 82 years old, has had an enormous reputation for years, including overseas. (“The French are crazy about him,” Etherton says.) Etherton has been following Witkin for decades, and exhibited his work in the 1980s, when the artist first began to make his name. And there have been many Witkin shows at Etherton ever since. “Inaugurating our new space with an exhibition of Witkin’s work is a fitting tribute both to the gallery’s and Joel’s legacy, and our longstanding friendship,” Etherton says. These days, Etherton Galley is Witkin’s sole representative in the United States. His other rep is in Paris. Throughout his career, Witkin has taken weeks or even months to make a single work. First, he would made drawings to plot

out the piece. (His small black-and-white sketches hanging in the show are charming.) Then, with his camera, he created his intricate still-life tableaux, as complicated as a movie set, with big casts of nudes or animals or skeletons. Once he was satisfied with a photo, he

would batter his master negative, scratching it, tearing, throwing wet tissue at it, collaging, toning by hand, coloring with paint or encaustic wax. As a result, no two prints are alike. The finished images are extraordinary. Often inspired by religion and art history,

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

Joel-Peter Witkin: Journeys of the Soul Through Nov. 27 Etherton Gallery, 340 S, Convent Ave. Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free entry; free parking on street and behind building 520-624-7370; ethertongallery.com

Witkin’s pieces show compassion for the suffering and empathy towards non-conformers. Among the pieces, all of them gelatin silver print, we see a man hobbling on painfully bent legs; in another, the head of a dead man is in a tray. A man with a missing an arm holds a skull, a memento mori reminding us that that we will die someday. Witkin makes exquisite portraits of women, not unusual. More unusually, but he also seeks out people of non-conforming identity. In one of his early works, from 1988, “The Graces” pictures three beautiful nudes. Standing in a row, they mimic the lovely Three Graces of Greek myth. Unlike the Grecian goddesses, all three of these beau-

ties have penises. Two also have breasts and one does not. Witkin simply honors who they are. In many ways, he has been ahead of his time. One of the most sumptuous tableaux mixes his interest in both art history and religion. “Waiting for de Chirico in the Artist’s Section of Purgatory” combines both traditions. It adapts pieces of paintings by the surrealist Chirico, putting them into one scary place. Witkin manages to include Chirico’s “Mystery and Melancholy of a Street” and its famous scary road to nowhere, along with a giant Greek head and a tower falling down. The religious part comes with the prisoners in this crowded purgatory; these artists are stuck here until they have done enough penance for their sins. Etherton’s own favorite is “Cupid and Centaur in the Museum of Love,” in which the lovers have turned into skeletons. He loves it partly for Witkin’s masterly use of encaustic. But he acknowledges Witkin’s work can be challenging. “I really wanted to open the gallery with something like this, to make a statement,” Etherton says. “This is not for everybody. They may not like the subject matter. But even people who don’t like this work understand how good it is.”

THE WITKIN SHOW, THE FIRST TO BE in the new gallery space on Convent, has demonstrated how well the new place works, Etherton says. The 1987 building, nestled between century-old adobes, was specifically designed to house art. The original owner, Bill Small, a wealthy collector and newspaper man who owned the Tucson Citizen and, for a time, the Arizona Daily Star, enlisted his architect son William to create a place with plenty of rooms to display his art and lots of storage as well. “It was brilliant of Bill,” Etherton says. “All of the rooms are exactly the size we need. And I’ve lived in apartments smaller” than the massive storage space. Etherton’s former gallery, in the historic Oddfellow building at Sixth Avenue and Broadway, has 3,600 square feet, more that the Convent building’s 3,300 square feet. But the many rooms of the new place give Etherton far more wall space to hang the art. The layout, he says, precisely meets his needs. The Journey of the Soul, the currently featured show, hangs in a group of accessible rooms at the front of the gallery. And the rooms at the back provide space for permanent exhibitions and smaller shows. “We can do rotating shows, kind of great quick exhibitions.”

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One wall will always sport a sneak preview of what’s coming next. Right now the wall holds several images from a show scheduled to open Dec. 4. Photog Michael O’Neill will show his richly colored photographs of extraordinary yogis around the world. Just beyond that space, a big room is dedicated to large-scale paintings. “Nude Descending Staircase,” a much-admired work by the late James G. Davis, is already up. Jim Waid, another beloved Tucson artist, is showing one of his semi-abstract paintings inspired by the colors and shapes of the Sonoran Desert. An adviser and friend of Bill Small years ago, Waid will always have a spot in the painting room, Etherton says. There’s also a huge work room, a kitchen and, happily, an immense outdoor patio that allows Etherton to show sculptures for the first time. It’s already graced with Fox McGrew’s revered desert sculptures. And unlike the former building, with its infamous 27 stairs to the top, the back door here is accessible to all, from wheelchair users to workers carrying heavy boxes. “The Fed Ex guys are happy,” Etherton says. ■

TUCSONWEEKLY.COM

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

CHOW

COURTESY PHOTO

One of the dishes Paulo Im brought to OBON is Mala Sea Bream, a rich, flaky, white fish served with savory and salty scallion pancakes and sharply acidic dressed vegetables. Courtesy photo.

SEOUL FOOD

Chef Paulo Im is taking OBON in new directions By Matt Russell tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com

IT MAY HAVE FORESHADOWED today’s wisdom on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Congress Street when poet and playwright Oscar Wilde penned in 1895, “To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.” Guided by the Wildean spirit, you should heed these words on your next visit to OBON where a new seasonal menu, featuring “perfect examples of the unexpected,” has been revealed. I tapped into the modern intellect of OBON’s Paulo Im last week to learn more about this story that goes beyond his traditional sushi, steam bun, and ramen staples. After only a few minutes with him, I can honestly say that his new dishes definitely defy expectations. “What I’ve been doing in building this new menu is falling down different rabbit holes of food that I really like to eat,” said Im, brand chef and director of culinary innovation at OBON, 350 E. Congress Street. “This is something

which our restaurant’s change in leadership has welcomed and encouraged in an environment where I previously felt boxed-in,” he said. “I’m not saying that our new dishes are better, I’d just say that they’re simply more genuine.” The son of Korean immigrants, Im tells me that “my sensibility to my roots is a reflection of the food that I create,” and this sentiment anchors the restaurant’s new menu, whether it’s an appetizer, a center-of-the-plate entrée or, brace yourselves, a salad. The dish topping Im’s list is the Mala Sea Bream, a rich, flaky, white fish served with savory and salty scallion pancakes and sharply acidic dressed vegetables. It was inspired by his longtime passion for fish butchery, as well as what he calls the “nose-to-tail manifesto” writings of Josh Niland, an Australian chef and author who “approaches fish butchery from an unconventional standard and has changed the entire blueprint of how I think about fish.” This whole fish is fabricated in a way for it to be eaten, as Im says, uninter-

rupted, without bones or the spine while remaining beautiful to look at. It’s served with a house chili crisp made from a symphony of whole spices that are ground onsite, including cardamom, star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel, coriander, cumin, white pepper and cinnamon. In addition to my new fish butchery knowledge, another unexpected development in my conversation with Im was his reference to salads as symbols of this genuineness. “For me, our new salads reflect what it means to be a Korean American,” he said. “It’s a title that I haven’t worn well throughout my life, but it’s something that I’ve recently embraced.” One example is the rotating Korean Seasonal Salad. The current expression features meaty pieces of ripe persimmon, which Im says requires a knife and a fork, as well as silken tofu whipped with burrata cheese, red romaine lettuce, pine nuts, cinnamon, and Korean marmalade. “Some of these flavors aren’t commonly equated with Korean food, but

if you were to visit Korea in the fall and have a Korean barbeque dinner, you’d absolutely observe them,” he said. A salad calling for both a knife and a fork? Talk about unexpected. Other decidedly different dishes on the menu include the Mackerel Toast, with seared mackerel, tapenade, tomato, pickled red onions, tofu burrata and cracked pepper, and an updated version of the Crispy Tuna appetizer, with spicy tuna tartare served with blocks of crispy, deep fried sushi rice. I think you’ll notice the difference that OBON is making downtown. When Chef Paulo Im is involved, you should come to expect it . ■ Contact Matt Russell, whose day job is CEO of Russell Public Communications, at mrussell@russellpublic.com. Russell is also the publisher of OnTheMenuLive.com as well as the host of the Friday Weekend Watch segment on the “Buckmaster Show” on KVOI 1030 AM.

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NOVEMBER 18, 2021

MUSIC

TUCSONWEEKLY.COM 29

The Exbats Now Where Were We Released on Oct. 22 theexbats.bandcamp.com via Goner Records

COURTESY PHOTO

RESTLESS ON THEIR LAURELS Bisbee rock group The Exbats have been hitting the used vinyl section By Jeff Gardner jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com IT’S BEEN A HEALTHY DIET OF dad rock for this father-daughter band from Bisbee, but neither are complaining. The band says their new album, Now Where Were We, is the largest music jump they’ve made, with influences including the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, and the Partridge Family—yet it remains energetic, rebellious, and very much The Exbats. The new album’s sound is partially a result of being trapped at home during the pandemic and listening to a lot of music from the ’60s. The Exbats’ earlier music is closer to punk, with outright aggression and distortion. But Now Where Were We opens with an acoustic guitar, and features breezy, uplifting songs throughout. “I love our first couple records, but we have changed. We used to be more interested in sounding like the Velvet Underground, and now we’ve gone back before that,” said guitarist and vocalist Kenny McClain. “We’re now more oriented toward harmonies. Before we’d sing in unison, but we didn’t parse it out to have harmonic singing.” Kenny estimates the album was recorded across 30 or so Saturdays at Midtown Island Studio in Tucson. Kenny and his daughter Inez (who sings lead vocals and plays drums in the band) would drive the 90 minutes from Bisbee up to Tucson,

listening back to their own music plus a mix of ’60s classics. Inez now admits she’s a little obsessed with Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson. “The song ‘Hey New Zealand’ is completely a response to the 1960s Laurel Canyon, California sound,” Inez said. “Which is ironic because the song is all about wanting to move to New Zealand.” The blend of styles is clear: the songs feature interlacing vocal lines, a brighter sound and a subtly psychedelic palette. However, they still include a healthy dose of attitude and decry modern woes: the changing music industry, climate change, self doubt. Yet these are all presented with playful delivery. On “Hey New Zealand,” Inez outright sings “I’m not feeling California dreamin’.” “As much as we have these influences and we love to talk about our favorite bands, when we get to doing our stuff, it just ends up being us,” Kenny said. “They do influence us, but we’re never trying to copy anybody.” Another big change for the band: For the first time, they are no longer just a father-daughter duo. The Exbats’ longtime producer Matt Rendon has joined on as an additional guitarist, and Bobby Carlson joined playing bass. In addition to more personnel, the album features more diverse instrumentals than their previous projects thanks to Kenny’s frequent piano playing during COVID downtime. Not only piano, but harpsichord

and synthesizers appear on the album as well. “Writing on the piano gives you a lot more of an opportunity to work with minor chords and different chord progressions,” Kenny said. “So having the extra time at home meant there was more time to play on the piano, and now there’s different twists and turns in our music that had never appeared before.” However, the new instrumentals and sounds were not initially accepted by Inez. This caused a bit of friction reminiscent of the headbutting in classic rock bands. “In the beginning of writing this album, I was irritated with Dad—I was probably just irritated in general—and I couldn’t stand that he was writing everything on piano,” Inez said. “It was a pretty hard shift, and I didn’t understand where he was coming from with it. It felt like he was trying to be Elton John with the piano. But a while later, after I got into the Beach Boys, I realized he wasn’t doing Elton John, he was doing Brian Wilson, and if anything I didn’t want to be his Mike Love, so I had to apologize.” The more diverse influences and sound palette make Now Where Were We The Exbats’ most ambitious record so far. (Although that might not always be the case as Kenny says they are already working on a new album.) Thanks to Rendon’s production and The Exbats’ artistic growth—Inez is no longer 10 like when the band was first thought up—Now Where Were We is the band’s most enjoyable and fully realized record. “We’re doing our best to have an analog style, but keep it about our modern lives. It’s the point of view that we start from,” Kenny said. “Even though we listen to the Beach Boys, we wouldn’t write a surfing song.” Full of “coming-of-age/smartass stories,” the album concludes with a humorous ballad about stealing from church, aptly titled “I Don’t Trust Myself Around Jesus.” The cheeky blend of country rock and gospel proves the band is still as subversive as their punk roots, and hasn’t completely lost themselves to a more conservative music style. “The album’s a little more contemporary,” Kenny said. “And by contemporary, I mean 1965.” ■

By Xavier Omar Otero tucsonweekly@tucsonlocalmedia.com Ghastly, The Fixx, Gregory Alan Isakov, Black Label Society, GWAR, Postmodern Jukebox, Igor & The Red Elvises are all happening this week. Read on.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS… THURSDAY, NOV. 18 The Washington Post said of jazz guitarist Mike Gellar’s debut album Perdido (1998), “Yet for all the versatility and technique Gellar displays, what ultimately sets the album apart is the great delight he takes in playing jazz with musicians he admires, an enthusiasm that colors every performance.” Jazz guitarists Mike Gellar and Howard Alden are at Westward Look Resort... Soda Sun, Eugene Boronow, Sara Mohr, Little Cat and others show off their songwriting skills as part of Virginia Cannon’s monthly showcase. At Monterey Court... These local experimental/doom metalists say of their musical project, “We make a lot of noise because we love each other.” Kryge hit it hard. At Club Congress. With Demon Grass and Jupiter Cyclops...

FRIDAY, NOV. 19 Their notoriety is etched in the history of a barren and hopeless planet. These shock rockers—whose onstage enactments of graphic violence result in the audience regularly being sprayed with copious amounts of fake blood, urine and semen—continue to spark controversy, challenging everything from politics, pollution and organized religion to fast food and factory farming. Their latest album, The Blood of Gods (2017), “is nothing less than a sacred text chronicling the rise of humanity against their makers, and the massive battle between GWAR and the forces of all that is uptight and wrong with the world.” Iconic heavy metal/art collective GWAR deliver a “God awful racket.” At Rialto Theater. With Napalm Death... Known for his schizophrenic CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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NOVEMBER 18, 2021

XOXO

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

mixing style, expect the unexpected from this Los Angeles DJ/vocalist. “Everything from hardstyle to Selena Gomez. Honestly, my playlists look like a cross between a 12-year-old and a mental patient,” exclaims Paz Dylan. “I want the 60 minutes you spend with me to be insane and exciting all the way through.” Paz will keep you on your toes. At Gentle Ben’s... Taking their name from a Velvet Underground song, these Austin psychedelic/garage rockers have been passing through The Doors of Perception since 2004. Trapped in the flashing lights of a Phosphene Dream, The Black Angels solemnly sing Death Songs. At 191 Toole. With L.A. Witch... Drawing inspiration from old-school thrash, groove metal and Māori culture—a number of their lyrics are written and sung in their native indigenous language—this New Zealand thrash-metal trio has been vaunted by British heavy metal publication Metal Hammer with the tagline “Meet The Future Of Metal.” Alien Weaponry are “taking the world by storm.” At Encore. With Tangaroa... Featuring saxophonist Autumn Dominguez, the After Hours Quartet returns. At Hotel Congress (plaza)... This L.A.-based electronic duo traffic in expansive songs. “Big, wide, cinemascapes,” as Mariana Saldaña puts it. “But they invite you in, swirling ephemeral beats with deeply human lyrical themes.” Darkly modern, BOAN ride the icy storm of coldwave. At Club Congress. With Body of Light and Touchy...

SATURDAY, NOV. 20 Heralded as one of the most innovative bands of the MTV era, 40 years after these Londoners hit the Billboard Hot 100 charts with “One Thing Leads to Another,” “Saved by Zero,” and “Secret Separation,” The Fixx announce the release of a fresh new single, “Wake Up, in advance of a studio album, Every Five Seconds (due out in 2022). With classic line-up intact, new wave/art rockers The Fixx continue to come upon Happy Landings & Lost Tracks. At Rialto Theater... Surrounded by literally hundreds of goats and cows, David Lee Crow (aka Ghastly) grew-up on a farm in the arid desert of Buckeye, Arizona. While a rural upbringing might seem atypical for a

hard-hitting, forward-thinking, next-gen EDM DJ/producer, Ghastly’s trajectory is far from ordinary. Described by some as a “casually destructive,” and “partially insane” young man, when Crow found his calling, not missing a beat, he packed up and left town. He lived out of his van in Venice Beach, then in a Skid Row apartment. He showered in public restrooms, and was hired and fired from a long-string of jobs before finally landing a coveted residency at Exchange L.A. (a cavernous 4-level nightclub occupying the former L.A. Stock Exchange building). Rebranding himself, Ghastly began his ascent on the global dance scene. Escaping from the madhouse, Ghastly drops heat. At Encore... Igor Yuzov grew up in Russia when xenophobia spurred Western rock ’n’ roll to be banned in 1985. The intoxicating lure of this forbidden music prompted him to leave Russia for the States as soon as it became possible. In 1995, Yuzov dreamt that Elvis Presley told him to start a rock & roll band, thus sealing his fate. Better Than Sex, the Siberian surf-rock of Igor & The Red Elvises will have you Grooving to the Moscow Beat. At 191 Toole... Local sparkling rubies Heather Hardy, John Coinman, Eric Schaffer and a new trio of old vets going out for their first test-drive around the block The Tirebiters (comprised of Steve Grams, Gary Mackender and Lex Browning) perform in a fundraising event for Tucson Folk Festival. At Hotel Congress (plaza)... Swathed in patches of blue and fitfully an eerie sun-scorched melancholia, alt. country/folkies Tammy West & The Culprits (Mitzi Cowell, Matt Bruner, and Rebecca Horton) toast the release of Little Saint (2021). At Solar Culture Gallery... In fiscal year 2021, U.S. Border Patrol recorded 557 deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border. A congregation of local celebutantes, including The Pork Torta, Backup Brass Band, Golden Boots, Sleep of Eons and Floor Polish Dancers, perform an outdoor concert to benefit No More Deaths/No Más Muertes, a humanitarian advocacy group that seeks to end the fatalities of undocumented immigrants attempting to cross the Southwestern desert regions. At Steinfeld Warehouse (courtyard) on the Scott J. Kerr Memorial Stage... Emerging from an abandoned aerospace warehouse in 2018, despite the colorful flamboyance of their live performances, these synth-fueled glam rockers delve much deeper;

exploring mental illnesses, addiction, and queer identity in their lyrics. Chateau Chateau display both their dusty and sparkly sides. At Club Congress. With Female Gaze... Late night ravers, dance to the sounds from the underground (midnight–5 a.m.). Galactic Knights: Cactus, Eliogold, Hart and others spin EDM. At Solar Culture...

SUNDAY, NOV. 21 What started humbly, when arranger/pianist Scott Bradlee began shooting music videos out of a basement apartment in Queens in 2011, soon turned into a viral sensation. To date this rotating musical collective have amassed over 1 billion YouTube views, morphing into a worldwide touring sensation. Postmodern Jukebox turn modern pop hits into the vintage sounds of yesteryear. At Rialto Theater... In a town inexorably steeped in Mexican culture, through art, education, and integration, Tucson’s own Ballet Folklorico Tapatío is committed to preserving a rich history and broadening the cultural traditions that live on today. Celebrating the troupe’s 24th anniversary, Ballet Folklorico Tapatío present ¡Puro Tapatio!—a program full of uplifting mariachi music and traditional dance in a festive outdoor event. At Tucson Convention Center (plaza). Con Mariachi Pueblo Viejo y Los Centenarios... Before being discovered by impresario Miles Copeland (Stewart Copeland of The Police’s brother) while performing in a Tupelo, Mississippi club, Paul Thorn was a professional boxer. After making Copeland’s acquaintance, a once-in-a-lifetime whirlwind touched ground. Thorn was swept up and brought to Nashville where he was booked to open for Sting and shortly thereafter was signed A&M Records in 1997. Americana singer-songwriter Paul Thorn Band performs material from Never Too Late To Call (2021), his 12th studio release. At Hotel Congress (plaza)...

TUESDAY, NOV. 23 Similar to the trance-induced fury legendary Viking warriors entered into during battle, guitarist Zakk Wylde and crew wield their instruments like weapons, unleashing crushingly heavy riffage with animalistic passion. On the road in support of Doom Crew Inc. (2021), their

latest studio release, Black Label Society: Doom Trooping Over North America Tour provides the soundtrack for sweatsoaked revelry. At Rialto Theater... The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ride again. Drummer/bandleader Arthur Vint celebrates his homecoming with a performance of his critically-acclaimed album Death Rides A Horse (2017) in its entirety. The Huffington Post called it, “One of the most refreshing, melodic, and successfully themed albums...this year.” Featuring an ensemble of local luminaries—Thøger Lund (bass), Angelo Versace (piano), Mamma Coal (acoustic guitar), Matt Mitchell (electric guitar), Marco Rosano (accordion), Mike Moynihan (bass clarinet), Brice Winston (tenor sax), Jason Carder (trumpet), and Ben Nisbet (violin)—with full-scale film projections in the background, Vint explores themes from the great Spaghetti Western soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone. Once Upon a Time in the West, Arthur Vint & Associates make myths. At Hotel Congress...

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 24 Outside of music, this indie-folk musician labors on a four-and-a-half acre farm—several of the farm’s residents are also bandmates—growing heirloom vegetables and medical-grade marijuana for market. “I work on music and then garden for a few hours and come back,” Gregory Alan Isakov told Rolling Stone. It was here, in the barn, that this South African-born, Colorado-based singer-songwriter recorded Evening Machines (2018), his Grammy-nominated seventh album. And, from the same fertile grange came “The Stable Song”—from Isakov’s self-titled album with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, that is featured on the soundtrack for The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019). Horticulturist-turned-musician Gregory Alan Isakov will be “Raising Cain.” At Rialto Theater. With Israel Nebeker... Celebrate Thanksgiving Eve with the Winston & McGuinn Band. At Hotel Congress (plaza). With Billy Gunz... Happy Thanksgiving. Until next week, XOXO...

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TUCSONWEEKLY.COM

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

GANJA GIFT GUIDE Cannabis: It’s not just medicine anymore By Tucson Weekly Test Department tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com

stylish Blazy Susan. It spins just like a lazy Susan, except it’s designed to handle all your weed needs with special compartments for various accessories and a removable center pad that ideal for rolling your next joint. Speaking of accessories, Blazy Susan also makes a custom silicon ashtray complete with a built-in bowl cleaning tip, a dab station with special inserts to separate all your tools and a wide variety of slow-burning, ultra thin, vegan and GMO-free rolling papers and cones. This is the perfect gift for the pothead who has everything. Available at blazysusan.com.

WITH THE PASSAGE OF PROP 207 last year, Arizonans declared they were done with the War on Weed. And that means you don’t need a license to buy or smoke it anymore. (Not that there aren’t advantages to keeping your medical card, but we won’t get into that here.) So now that any adult can buy weed, what should you get for the stoner on your list? Read on for some of our favorite gift ideas. The Blazy Susan. When you’re having folks over for a pot party, you’ll want a

TUCSON WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

The famous Blazy Susan!

Drip Blunicorn Batter. This golden-colored extract is from Drip’s diamond tier—and while it may not be worth quite its weight in diamonds, it sure beats getting coal in your stocking. It packs a lovely flavor to go along with its powerful kick and is surprisingly easy to handle while you are scooping it out for your e-rig. Take your time before trying a second dose, as just a little dab will do you. This is ideal for the extract lover on your shopping list. Available at Nature Med. Packwoods Purple Punch. If you want to find something beyond the ordinary pre-roll, the Packwoods Purple Punch is a doozy. It weighs in at 2.5 grams and includes marijuana flower rolled in marijuana extract and finished with kief. In other words, it’s like the turducken of weed and will most definitely help you reach new elevations. Available at NatureMed. Earth Extracts Live Resin Cartridge. This cartridge sets the standard for vape pens. A piney earthy taste greets you on this one upon first toke, letting you know you’ve got something from the plant without being too overbearing on the flavor profile. While many vape cartridges can make you feel almost foggy and

TUCSON WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

The Packwoods Purple Punch.

then have groggy side effects after the initial effects, this live resin hits crisp, quick, and to the point. There’s no need to worry about dosage as the effects are nearly immediate and once the initial rush dissipates, you are left feeling relaxed but not tired. This is the ideal gift for a friend looking for something simple and straightforward. Available at Earth’s Healing.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

Sir Newton’s Mixed Flavor Gummies. Everyone loves a little candy at Christmas, although you’ll want to keep these scratch-made craft gummies out of the reach of kids. These gummies have a nice, firm texture and a variety of fruity flavors without a trace of cannabis. Each pack has 10 gummies, each with a 10mg dose, making them available to recreational as well as medical users. Rookies will want to start with a quarter or a half of a gummy to avoid feeling like you want to curl up in your manger, while experienced users will find the 10mg dose just right to make you feel like a merry gentleman. Available at Bloom Dispensary.

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IO Extracts

packaging is a nice touch for consumers just starting on concentrates, as you can easily dose with a nectar collector. Available at Nature Med.

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Infinity pre-roll pack

IO Lemon Meringue Extract Batter. This extract has a delightful lemon tinge that underscores the flavor profile without a trace of solvent. This one will give you an upbeat high that leaves you feeling warm and creative; it’s heady enough to know you’ve had a toke but not so overpowering that you feel like you need to take in the Lord of the Rings trilogy before you come down. Ideal for a night of socializing with friends or an afternoon of painting by a lake. The glass

IO Extract Mimosa Distillate Syringe. We never would have thought we’d be smoking cannabis that comes in a syringe, but it sure does make it easier to apply, whether you are smoking from a rig or a nectar collector. Just push out the desired dose and go to town. That’s convenient for the pro and beginners alike. The mimosa flavor tastes like an orange creamsicle, leading our reviewer to proclaim it to be the “best concentrate

TUCSONWEEKLY.COM 33

I’ve ever tasted—literally a delight.” We found it to be a nice, uplifting high with a feeling of euphoria without being too cloudy, making it an “any time of day dab.” Available at Nature Med. Infinity Pre-Roll Pack. Sure, any pre-roll is going to be cherished by a gift recipient, but this takes it to a whole new level. You’ll find five cannabis cigs packed inside a sleek black tin container that also includes a small “terpene shield” to maintain humidity and ensure CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

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NOVEMBER 18, 2021

GANJA GIFT GUIDE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

a fresh flavor. You can choose between a variety of strains, but all of them are infused with kief and made from flower, not shake. With .7 grams per cig (for a total of 3.5 grams per pack), you can rest assured that smoking one of these will get you higher than a flying reindeer. Available at Bloom Dispensary. Plain Old Bud. Sometimes, you don’t want an edible, a concentrate or a suppository. If you want to keep it simple and enjoy an old-school bong hit, Green Halo (under new ownership) has two strains we’d recommend this holiday season. Orange Eruption, a hybrid of Orange Creamsicle crossed with Lava Cake bred by Phinest Cannabis, has a subtle fruity taste and will take you up quickly before easing into a nice smooth afterglow. It’s heady but will provide a good body high. The dense buds will leave you fingers just a little sticky. Meanwhile, Grape Cake offers a bold and sweet flavor from the first rip. Bred by Seed Junky, this is a cross between Grape Stomper, Cherry Pie and Wedding

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREEN HALO

Orange eruption.

Cake that will leave you relaxed without making you groggy. The dense buds with so many terps that it almost feels like playdough in your hands. Available at Green Halo. ■ Warning: These NSFW items might not be appropriate for your company’s Secret Santa gift exchange, unless you’re working for a company that has super-chill management.

TUCSONWEEKLY.COM 35

TUCSONWEEKLY.COM

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

SAVAGE LOVE SHORT SHORTS

By Dan Savage, mail@savagelove.net

I have a fun little labeling question. I’m a non-binary person who was assigned male at birth (AMAB). I gravitate towards femininity in life and in love. My question is about the inclusiveness of the label “lesbian.” Is this a label only for women? Or is it inclusive of everyone who is feminine and is attracted to femininity? My goal is to label myself appropriately without infringing on others. —All Loves Labeled Inclusively As labels go, ALLI, “lesbian” seems pretty darn binary to me. Now, the meaning of any given word evolves and changes over time, of course, and meaning follows use. But lesbian currently means—and is currently used to mean and will most likely continue to mean—a woman who is exclusively attracted to other women romantically and sexually*. So frankly, ALLI, I’m confused about why someone who’s your brand of non-binary (AMAB, femme and into femmes) would even want to identify as a lesbian. Since you’re neither a woman nor a man, ALLI, why would you want to use such a gendered label? (Why you might feel entitled to use it is another subject, one I’ll leave that for commenters to discuss.) That said, no one can stop you from using the term lesbian to describe yourself. You know how they say in anti-anti-cancel-culture discourse that there’s no such thing as cancel culture, only accountability? Well, ALLI, there’s no such thing as gatekeeping or gatekeepers; there are no identity cops out there with the power to make arrests or issue fines. There are only people who might find your shit annoying. In the case of your specific shit, ALLI, some lesbians are gonna find it annoying—extremely annoying—but annoyed lesbians can’t prevent you from self-identifying as a lesbian any more than annoyed Slate writers can prevent Louis C.K. from selling out stadiums. No one can cancel him, no one can gatekeep you. I’ve been flirting with this guy from my class. He’s four years older and seems very into drugs and certain subcultures, but he also maintains an active social media persona. We’re planning on going out, but I already know that he would fit into an unhealthy pattern of mine: guys who aren’t sure what they want and are reluctant to make commitments. Do I just enjoy the sex that could occur? Or do I steer clear to protect myself?

—Should I Fuck This Intriguing New Guy? Depends. After identifying this unhealthy pattern—your propensity for getting attached to guys who aren’t sure what they want and/or can’t commit— have you been able to enjoy sex without allowing yourself to get attached to guys with commitment issues? If the answer is yes, SIFTING, if you can trust yourself not to catch feelings for someone, then go ahead and fuck this guy. But if the answer is no—if you can’t fuck a guy without catching feelings—then don’t fuck this guy. Zooming way out—and this is not a comment on your situation, SIFTING, or your dating history—but sometimes we tell ourselves a man has “commitment issues” when he just doesn’t want to commit to us. And sometimes we tell ourselves a woman “doesn’t know what she wants” when she just doesn’t want us. And that’s fine. We’re just protecting our own egos. But if we believe that shit without reservation— if we buy our own hype—we’ll be devastated when the ex who couldn’t commit to us because “he doesn’t know what he wants” suddenly knows what he wants. And it’s someone else. I’m a 31-year-old cis woman living in the South. Dating here is a nightmare. It feels like everyone got married at 22 and is super into Jesus. I just broke up with someone and got back on the apps, and the first date I went on was amazing. Really cool liberal, age-appropriate dude with a similar sense of humor. I had so much fun, and we exchanged numbers. And then... nothing. I bit the bullet and followed up and still haven’t heard anything. At what point do I write this guy off as a ghost? And how do I deal with the utter disappointment of being ghosted by a dude I really connected with? —Ghosts Are Horrible I took a call on the Savage Lovecast last week from a woman who was angry

about being ghosted by a man—a neighbor whose front door she had to walk past every day—and then she saw the coroner wheeling the guy’s dead body out of his apartment on a gurney. Like the meme says, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” As for your battle, GAH, look on the bright side. The first date you went on after getting back on the apps went pretty well! There was no second date, and that’s too bad, and assuming he isn’t dead, it was rude of him to ghost on you like that. But if there was one guy in your area you could have an amazing first date with (even if it went nowhere), GAH, it’s not unreasonable to assume there are other guys in your area you could have equally amazing first dates with (dates that might go somewhere). I WENT DOWN ON A FRIEND THIS WEEK AND I NOTICED SHE HAD A GROWTH ON HER LABIA I AM SURE IT IS FINE BUT ANY IDEA WHAT IT WAS? —WHAT WAS THAT I HAVE NO IDEA BUT IF THE GROWTH WAS IN A SPOT YOUR FRIEND MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY SEEING YOU SHOULD SAY SOMETHING TO HER SO SHE CAN GET IT CHECKED OUT BY A DOCTOR. I dated someone recently for a few weeks and had sex, it was unprotected, and I found out immediately after that he had herpes. I was annoyed because I had condoms next to the bed. But I also felt partly responsible since we didn’t have a discussion first. He wound up having a breakout a few days later. We continued dating and used condoms after that until one night when I was high on edibles, and he didn’t use a condom. This was after he asked me earlier if I felt comfy going without condoms again and I explicitly requested condoms. We aren’t together now, but it feels really fucked up. He seemed like the nicest person. —What The Fuck Was That What that was, WTFWT, was fucked up. And that guy wasn’t nice. There’s not a lot you can do about it now besides

learning from the experience. First, don’t drop hints. Don’t put condoms on the nightstand and hope the other person takes the hint and uses a condom. Tell the other person the condoms are there to be used and that if there isn’t one on his dick, his dick isn’t getting anywhere near your hole/holes—and if his dick gets near your hole without a condom on it, or if the condom should magically disappear after his dick is in your hole, you’ll be filing a police report. And second, don’t make requests, explicit or otherwise. From here on out, WTFWT, make demands. Unambiguous, unequivocal demands. And go get tested. Cis, married, straight man here. You’re my gay crush. Given the chance, how would you seduce me? I’ve never had man-sex before, because I really like pussy and the way women feel, but I think I could do it for you. You’ve always been my celeb “man-pass.” How can we get this started? I’m just a straight guy writing to a gay guy, asking him to fuck him. —Lusting After Dan Straight guys who make passes at gay men assume we’re all going think, “OMG, this is my one chance to sleep with a real man!” In reality, LAD, what most gay men are thinking when a straight guy hits on us is, “Jesus Christ, this dude is gonna shit all over my dick.” Now, that thought doesn’t stop some gay men from sleeping with straight-identified guys who are bi or gay and closeted, LAD, nor does it stop some gay men from sleeping with the rare straight-but-situationally-heteroflexible guy with a very specific crush on one of us. But it’s always annoying when a straight guy assumes his straightness is an aphrodisiac that drives gay men wild and asks questions like, “Given the chance, how would you seduce me?” That framing assumes I would try, or would want to try, if I had the chance. So, you could say, I’m just a gay guy responding to a straight guy, asking him to get over himself. * A shout out to all the asexual lesbians, who are attracted to other women romantically but not sexually, and to all the aromantic lesbians, who are attracted to other women sexually but not romantically. I see you and your pride flags, I am familiar with your anime avatars, and I affirm the validity of your lesbianism. questions@savagelove.org Follow Dan on Twitter @FakeDanSavage. Get Dan’s podcast at www.savage.love.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

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): Aries poet and philosopher Friedrich Hölderlin (1770–1843) had many ups and downs. He was one of Germany’s greatest poets and philosophers, but he also endured more emotional distress than most people. His biographer wrote, “Sometimes this genius goes dark and sinks down into the bitter well of his heart, but mostly his apocalyptic star glitters wondrously.” You may have been flirting with a milder version of a “bitter well of the heart,” Aries. But I foresee that you will soon return to a phase when your star glitters wondrously—and without the “apocalyptic” tinge that Hölderlin harbored. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Author David Foster Wallace felt sad about how little of our mind’s intense activity can be shared with others. So much of what goes on inside us seems impossible to express. Or if it is possible to express, few of our listeners are receptive to it or able to fully understand it. That’s the bad news, Taurus. But here’s the good news: In the coming weeks, I believe you will experience much less of this sad problem than usual. I’m guessing you’ll be especially skilled at articulating your lush truth and will have an extra receptive audience for it. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “I never resist temptation,” declared playwright George Bernard Shaw. Why did he dare to utter such an outlandish statement? “Because I have found that things that are bad for me do not tempt me,” he said. I propose that you aspire to embody his attitude during the next eight weeks, Gemini. Make it your aspiration to cultivate a state of mind wherein you will only be tempted to engage with influences that are healthy and educational and inspiring. You can do it! I know you can! CANCER (June 21-July 22): While still a teenager, Cancerian cowboy Slim Pickens (1919–1983) competed in the rodeo, a sporting event in which brave athletes tangle with aggressive broncos and bulls. When America entered World War II, Pickens went to a recruiting office to sign up for the military. When asked about his profession, Pickens said “rodeo.” The clerk misheard and instead wrote “radio.” Pickens was assigned to work at an armed forces radio station in the American Midwest, where he spent the entire war. It was a safe and secure place for him to be. I foresee a lucky mistake like that in your near future, Cancerian. Maybe more than one lucky mistake. Be alert. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): To create your horoscope, I’ve borrowed ideas from four

famous Leos. They all address your current astrological needs. First, here’s Leo author P. L. Travers: “More and more I’ve become convinced that the great treasure to possess is the unknown.” Second, here’s Leo author Sue Monk Kidd: “There is no place so awake and alive as the edge of becoming.” Third, Leo poet Philip Larkin: “Originality is being different from oneself, not others.” Finally, Leo author Susan Cheever: “There is no such thing as expecting too much.” VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I encourage you to adopt the perspective expressed by spiritual author Ann Voskamp. She wrote, “I want to see beauty. In the ugly, in the sink, in the suffering, in the daily, the moments before I sleep.” I understand that taking this assignment seriously could be a challenging exercise. Most of us are quick to spot flaws and awfulness, but few have been trained to be alert for elegance and splendor and wondrousness. Are you willing to try out this approach? Experiment with it. Treat it as an opportunity to reprogram your perceptual faculties. Three weeks from now, your eyes and ears could be attuned to marvels they had previously missed. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libran educator and anthropologist Johnnetta Cole wrote, “The first sign of an educated person is that she asks more questions than she delivers answers.” I agree and would also say this: A prime attribute of an intelligent, eager-to-learn person is that she asks more questions than she delivers answers. I encourage you to be like that during the coming weeks, Libra. According to my astrological estimation, you are scheduled to boost your intelligence and raise your curiosity. An excellent way to meet your appointments with destiny will be to have fun dreaming up interesting questions. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Some people become so expert at reading between the lines they don’t read the lines,” wrote author Margaret Millar. That’s not a common problem for you Scorpios. You are an expert at reading between the lines, but that doesn’t cause you to miss the simple facts. Better than any other sign of the zodiac, you are skilled at seeing both secret and obvious things. Given the astrological omens that will be active for you during the rest of 2021, I suspect this skill of yours will be a virtual superpower. And even more than usual, the people in your life will benefit from your skill at naming the truth. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Storyteller and mythologist Michael Meade believes

that each of us has an inner indigenous person—a part of our psyche that can love and learn from nature, that’s inclined to revere and commune with the ancestors, that seeks holiness in the familiar delights of the earth. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to cultivate your relationship with your inner indigenous person. What other experiences might be available to you as you align your personal rhythms with the rhythms of the earth? What joys might emerge as you strive to connect on deeper levels with animals and plants and natural forces? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn novelist Haruki Murakami writes, “I was always hungry for love. Just once, I wanted to know what it was like to get my fill of it—to be fed so much love I couldn’t take any more. Just once.” Most of us feel that longing, although few of us admit it. But I will urge you to place this desire in the front of your awareness during the next two weeks. I’ll encourage you to treat your yearning for maximum love as a sacred strength, a virtue to nurture and be proud of. I’ll even suggest you let people know that’s what you want. Doing so may not result in a total satisfaction of the longing, but who knows? Maybe it will. If there will ever be a time when such fulfillment could occur, it will be soon. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An article published in the journal Scientific American declared, “Most people don’t know when to stop talking.” Conversations

Comics

TUCSONWEEKLY.COM 37

between strangers and between friends typically go on too long. A mere two percent of all dialogs finish when both parties want them to. That’s the bad news, Aquarius. The good news is that in the coming weeks, your sensitivity about this issue will be more acute than usual. As a result, your talk will be extra concise and effective—more persuasive, more interesting, and more influential. Take advantage of this subtle superpower! (Further info: tinyurl.com/WhenToStop) PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Since 1996, Ira Glass has produced the renowned radio series This American Life. In 2013, as a reward for his excellence, he was offered a raise in his annual salary from $170,000 to $278,000. He accepted it for one year, but then asked that it be lowered to $146,000. He described the large increase in pay as “unseemly.” What?! I appreciate his modesty, but I disapprove. I’m always rooting for Pisceans like Ira Glass to embrace the fullness of their worth and to be aggressive about gathering all the rewards they’re offered. So I’m inclined, especially right now, to urge you NOT to be like Glass. Please swoop up all the kudos, benefits, and blessings you deserve. ■ Homework. Tell how everyone in the world should be more like you. https://Newsletter. FreeWillAstrology.com

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Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS Long-term appeal 5 Rock star Cobain 9 Leave off 13 Q: How much does it cost to park at stadiums? A: ___ 14 Postpone, as enrollment 15 Captain in “The Mysterious Island” 16 “My allergies are really acting up!” 18 Sicily’s highest peak 19 Unusual time to start a vacation 20 YouTube content 22 “It ___” (pompous arrival’s declaration) 23 “That third strike cost us the game!” 26 Like Swarthmore, but not Bryn Mawr 28 Food industry lobby, for short 29 Frost bit? 30 Not leave to chance 33 Run for fun, perhaps 35 Spanish 101 verb 36 “I keep losing things in the dryer!” 39 Mitch’s husband on “Modern Family” 42 Architect ___ Ming Pei 43 Calligraphy details 47 Hoard 49 Head across the pond? 51 Ella Fitzgerald forte 52 “My iPhone never works!” 56 Wearer of a “Y” sweatshirt 57 Wackadoodle 1

58 Stand by the pool,

maybe 60 Fit for the task 61 “This bug spray is useless!” 64 Marquis de ___ 65 Like many a campfire story 66 Water pitcher 67 Pressure, informally 68 It may be on the house 69 One who’s got your back

Maze runners National Medal of Arts recipient whose novel “Juneteenth” was published posthumously 3 Special treats 4 Put (away) 5 Puzzle whose name comes from the Japanese for “cleverness squared” 6 World traveler? 7 Hi-___ 8 Fountain near the Spanish Steps 9 Wired 10 Shooting stars 11 “What’s the point in me even trying” 12 Glass elevator? 14 Easter egg decorator 17 Absolutely, informally 21 Call upon 24 Place to purchase pencils and paint 25 Prizefight ending 27 Lemon or turkey 31 Upped the ante 32 Old-fashioned preposition 1 2

35 38

51 54

58 62

56 59

34 Microsoft Surfaces, e.g.

The Big Easy

38 Typical college

interviewees: Abbr.

39 Business that offers

body waxing

40 Creatures named for

their changing shape

28 31

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44 Nickname for the

subzero 1967 N.F.L. Championship Game

45 Balls in a pocket

46 Recipe that might call

for ginger and soy sauce

48 Word with fair or fight 50 Chooses to receive

marketing emails, say

53 Prize declined by Sartre 54 Diet-friendly 55 Just scrape (by) 59 Bit of creativity 62 Scented souvenir 63 Is after you?

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