Zocalo Magazine - July/August 2012 by Zocalo Magazine

Zócalo Tucson Magazine is an independently published community magazine, showcasing Tucson’s urban arts and culture. EDITOR Jamie Manser PRODUCTION ARTISTS Troy Martin, David Olsen CONTRIBUTORS Sydney Ballesteros, Marisa Bernal, Yekatherina Bruner, Jon D’Auria, Emily Gindlesparger, KXCI, Kelly Lewis, Jamie Manser, Troy Martin, Jared McKinley, Phoenix Michael, David Olsen, Randy Peterson, Dolly Spalding, Monica Surfaro Spigelman, Herb Stratford, Teya Vitu PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR CONTACT US: David Olsen frontdesk@zocalotucson.com

P.O. Box 1171 Tucson, AZ 85702-1171 520.955.ZMAG (9624)

July/august 2012

05 EVENTS 06 FILM 14 COOLDOWN 19 URBANNEWS 23 BUSINESS 27 ARTS 28 FOOD&DRINK 32 GARDEN 34 COMMUNITY 35 FASHION 38 TUNES 41 ESCAPE 46 LIFEINTUCSON 47 TIDBITS

ON THE COVER: Vintage swimwear at the Arizona Inn. See more photos on page 39. Photography: fotovitamina. Creative Director & Fashion Stylist: Sydney Ballesteros. Producer: Demion Clinco, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. Makeup: Tangie Duffey. Model: Aimee C. Wardrobe: Black Cat Vintage, Desert Vintage. Location: Arizona Inn.

Zócalo Tucson Magazine is a proud member of All content copyright © 2009-2012 by Media Zócalo, LLC. Reproduction of any material in this or any other issue is prohibited without written permission from the publisher and author. No person may, without prior written permission of the publisher, take more than one copy of each issue.

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Z from the editor

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“And all around me a voice was sounding: This land was made for you and me.” – Woodie Guthrie The energy at last month’s Tucson Refugee Fest was palpable. It was a mixture of excitement, perhaps some fear, definitely relief and happiness. New citizens were sworn in, soccer was played, music was performed and the Tucson community come together to welcome its new residents to our sweltering, culturally vibrant town. I am happy for our new citizens, and glad that a part of their dreams has come true – finding a peaceful place to live. As an Air Force “brat,” I grew up in the Philippines and South Korea. Living overseas seared into my brain how lucky people in the United States are to reside in a relatively nonviolent county – we aren’t hearing air raid sirens and bombs aren’t dropping on our land. It made me understand why people would want to move here; humans, as the other creatures on Earth, deserve to migrate and create better lives for their offspring. Yes, immigration laws are highly complicated and hotly contested, but putting a human face on the PEOPLE being discussed and affected is crucial. We must understand each other, and recognize that humans are one species, out of Africa. On a geologic time scale, no one is originally from here. It is imperative to extend across these man-made cultural differences, to understand our eclectic backgrounds and come together as Tucsonans wanting to make a good life in our little niche of the globe. We have some great people here, doing their part. Some of their stories are herein, and we hope to keep sharing such stories with you. – Jamie Manser

photo: Curtis Zimmerman

Tidbits Exo Roast Co.

Business Haps @ 6th & 6th

From Body Prep to Pizza Prep

Back in May, Exo Roast Co. at 403 N. 6th Ave. opened its doors for the discerning coffee consumer. The partnership features Peter Wilke, Chris Byrne and Doug Smith. According to its website, ExoCoffee.com, the business features extremely exclusive coffee beans that are roasted locally. Exo Roast Co. is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday and available at 777-4709.

The Reilly Funeral Home, purchased by Fenton Investment Company in 2007, is set to open its doors for the living. According to documents on the city’s projects page website (dot.tucsonaz.gov/projects/projects.cfm), the building at 101 E. Pennington St. was built in 1906 and was last remodeled in 1935. According to Facebook.com/reillypizza, the business will offer reasonably priced modern Italian food, artisan hand-made pizzas, craft drinks, fresh baked sandwiches for lunch and fresh hand-made pastas for dinner.

Coming this fall in the same complex is Tap & Bottle, described on its Facebook page as “a craft beer and wine tasting room and bottle shop.” Follow them online at Facebook.com/thetapandbottle and TheTapandBottle.com.

In Other Booze News… Sharks Nightclub, 256 E. Congress St., shut its doors in June. In an Arizona Daily Star story scribed by Carli Brosseau, the owner Tony Dohrman said the bar’s business dropped by half after Congress Street closed for streetcar construction.

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events

Elegant Trogon

Photo by Joan Gellatly

Photo by Donna Tolbert-Anderson

Photo by John Hoffman

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Verdin

Bird Is The Word By Jon D’Auria Grab your binoculars and field guides and put on your best hiking shoes; the Tucson Bird and Wildlife Festival is once again upon us! After achieving overwhelming success during the event’s first run last year, it is preparing its return to appeal to an even wider audience from August 15 through August 19. The Tucson Audubon Society has prepared five days of workshops, field trips, nature expos and even a Sky Island Birding Cup that will bring forth some of the utmost experts in the field of birding. Because of the diverse habitats found in Arizona during the summer migration season, Tucson happens to be a hub for birds from all regions. “Geographically, we’re in a special area because we have birds coming from the north, from the south, we have migrants from the Mojave Desert, from the Sonoran Desert of the west, the eastern Chihuahuan Desert and generally from all over,” says Tucson Audubon Society Director Paul Green. “There are over 500 species of birds that migrate through here, and in the month of August, the sheer number of birds that migrate and reside here is outstanding. The event has thus far been just an outstanding success and this year is looking to generate even more attendees. It really is a special time to be this region and this event truly encapsulates that. ” The field portions of the festival will take place in a varied range of habitats, including: Mt. Lemmon, Huachuca Mountains, Madera Canyon, Catalina State Park, Sweetwater Wet-

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lands, Las Cienegas, Davidson Canyon and California Gulch. Expert birders and instructors will lead both full day and half-day expeditions through these areas. “You get the excitement of going out into a rich, diverse array of habitats and see a range of different species,” says Green. “You get to go out with experts who genuinely know what they’re seeing and doing. And there’s the whole learning aspect, as we have many lectures, classes and seminars on the birds and habitats of the area. People of all ages can come and have a great time while learning a lot in the process.” Keynote speakers Richard Crossley and Rick Taylor, who are both highly regarded authors and photographers in the world of birding, will be joined by Homer Hansen, Lynn Hassler, Ronnie Sidner and Sheri L. Williamson, who all will be leading workshops throughout the event at Riverpark Inn, 350 S. Freeway. The topics covered will be Beginning Birding, Sparrows, Raptors, Bats, Learning to Look and Hummingbirds. For nightlife options, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival is at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., on August 15 and the Birds & Beer Social follows on August 16 at Riverpark Inn. “The social aspect is really great. We get a lot of people together who go out really early in the morning and when they come back in the afternoon they’re so excited about what they saw,” says Tucson Audubon Society’s Development Manager Erin Olmstead. “Last year we had people come in from 17 states and four

continents to be a part of this. We had over 500 people participate in 2011 and we’re expecting an even better turn out for this year.” This year’s event also offers a wide array of activities for children, who typically show a heightened interest in birds and wildlife of their region. “We’re doing a lot of programs that are for kids and families this time around,” says Olmstead. “We’re going to have nature story time, face painting, bird games and crafts and a live animal presentation from Game and Fish, so we’re really trying to get everyone involved. Bird watching is exciting for people of all ages.” From expert watchers to novice birders, this event is perfect for anybody who shares a curiosity for our winged neighbors in the desert. While the festival is packed full of fun activities and adventures, the mission of the Tucson Audubon Society is a serious one, focused on protecting our beautiful landscapes and the animals that inhabit them. “We started this festival in the context of stressing the importance of the local wildlife and bird watching in particular,” says Green. “At the same time, we’re trying to convince the governor’s cabinet to preserve more of the natural habitats of these species so we can offer them protection. That’s always our main goal. But also, it’s about getting people into the state in a time when people are getting out of the state due to the heat.” n Online registration is available at TucsonAudubon.org. For more information, call 629-0510.

Join Local First Arizona in celebrating our local independent businesses. Take the pledge to shop local for one whole week, July 1 - 7. Try someplace new, explore what Tucson and Arizona independent businesses have to offer. Keep your money where your home is and support these and many more local businesses of all types listed in the Local First Arizona directory at LocalFirstAZ.com

arts & Entertainment Arts Marketplace 403 N 6th Ave. 520-882-3988 ArtsMarketplace.org Barbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frame of Mind 319 E 8th St 520-620-0932 BarbsFrameOfMind.com The Loft Cinema 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 520-795-0844 LoftCinema.com Skirt Full of Fire Belly Dance 520-247-4276 SkirtfullOfFire.com CoyoteMoon Films 3661 N. Campbell, Ste 222 CoyoteMoonFilms.com

Destinations / districts Hotel Congress 311 E. Congress St. 520-622-8848 HotelCongress.com Main Gate Square MainGateSquare.com Mercado San Agustin 100 S. Avenida Del Convento 520-461-1107 MercadoSanAgustin.com The Bisbee Enclave 520-249-8475 BisbeeEnclave.com

food Avalon Organic Gardens Community Supported Agriculture, 520-402-4207. Call for pick up in Tucson. Local Food Concepts Food News 520-395-0663 LocalFoodConcepts.com Walking J Farm WalkingJFarm.com

Health & Wellness Lotus Massage & Wellness Center 520-326-7700 2850 E. Grant Rd. LotusTucson.com

education & Instruction Drum & Drummer School of Percussion TheDrumAndDrummer.com Develup Coaching & Training 401-207-4480 Develup.biz Teacher Parent Connection 7641 E Speedway 520-298-1612 TeacherParent.com

Home improvement Benjamin Plumbing Supply 440 N. 7th Ave. 520-777-7000 BenjaminSupply.com

Restaurants, Bars & Cafes brewd coffee lounge 520-623-2336 39 N. 6th Avenue Brewd.us Buffet Bar & Crockpot 538 E 9th St. 520-623-6811 TheBuffetBar.com Cafe 54 54 E. Pennington St. 520-622-1907 Cafe54.org Delectables Restaurant & Catering 533 N. 4th Ave 520-884-9289 Delectables.com Maynards Market + Kitchen 400 N. Toole Ave. 520-545-0577 MaynardsMarket.com

Pets Cortaro Farms Pet Hospital 3550 W. Cortaro Farms 520-744-2050 CortaroFarmsPetHospital.com Ananda Pet Care 888-243-5204 AnandaPets.com

Services Casa de Jacobus, rental CasaDeJacobus.com Copper Canyon Tax and Financial Services 5431 N Oracle, Ste 191 520-344-4149 CopperCanyonTax.com Hi-Tech Computers 520-918-8911 404 N. Fourth Ave. Hi-Tech-Computers.com Remax/Trends Trendsre.com

Shopping & Retail Betty Blueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junk Shop 262 S. Plumer Ave. 520-624-7147 BettyBluesJunkShop.com Deco: Art for Living 2612 E. Broadway Blvd. 520-319-0888 DecoArtTucson.com Perri Jewelers 13 N. Stone Ave. 520-624-4311 PerriJewelers.com Rincon Valley Farmers & Artisans Market 12500 E. Old Spanish Trail, 520-591-BARN(2276) Rvfm.org Yikes Toys & Gift-O-rama 2930 E. Broadway Blvd 520-320-5669, YikesToys.com

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Colossal Cave Mountain Park incorporates more than just a cave!

Colossal Summer fun

Events

photo: courtesy Colossal Cave Mountain Park

By Jon D’Auria

Photo by Jillian Cowles/courtesy Colossal Cave Mountain Park

Vail’s Colossal Cave Mountain Park has been an Arizona landmark ple to take with them and plant. After that, we have Jerry Marcantel teach destination for families and adventurers alike since it was first opened to the participants how to make their own arrowheads. It’s really a fascinating the public in 1923. The half-mile long tour of the cave is especially temptand great event to experience.” ing in the hot summer months, as viewing the magnificent stalagmites and The presentation is free, but there is a small fee for arrowhead makunderground dwellings is enhanced by the cool 70 degree temperature ing. that the cave maintains year round. Colossal Cave boasts fun activities throughout the entire summer, While there is always plenty to take in on a visit to Colossal Cave – which included their 5K Road Race and “We Love Dads - Father’s Day in between the guided tours, hiking, horseback rides, birding in the park, The Park” events in June. For those who missed out, don’t fret, as you’ll stagecoach rides, camping, picnicking have the opportunity to join the park for and butterfly and tortoise exhibits – the their First Sundays events that start in events taking place on the property, at August. 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, this summer “We’re offering First Sundays, are truly exceptional. which is special event that takes place The Ha:San Bak Saguaro Harvest on the first Sunday of each month,” Celebration happening on Saturday, July says Maierhauser. “In August we’re 7 is a special gathering to honor the offering ‘Beautiful Bees,’ which is berituals of the native tribes that inhabited ing presented by Jillian Cowles who is the land before us – and are still here a photographer and expert on invertetoday – introducing the public to their brates. She’ll talk about thousands of customs. Lois Liston from the O’odham species of native bees that are found in Nation will be joined by John Rhodes of Southeast Arizona and exhibit some of the Tucson Botanical Gardens and Jerry her beautiful art.” Marcantel, an expert flintknapper, to If you find yourself sun stroked and lead the celebration. burned out by the heat this summer, do “This is our twelfth year of doing what the desert animals do and head this event and we’re really proud to host underground – through the cave itself! On Sunday, August 5, Jillian Cowles gives a “Beautiful such a special celebration that’s been “The whole mountain park here is Bees” presentation at the park on the area’s native bees. going on for so many years,” says Marbeautiful and there is plenty to do in tie Maierhauser, the director of Colossal Cave Mountain Park. “The first addition to seeing the cave. It’s such a special area with a truly unique portion of the event is a workshop that starts at 6 a.m. where participants history and we love it when people young and old join us to learn about the are led by a member of the O’odham in making traditional harvesting tools culture and landscapes of this wonderful land.” n from saguaro ribs to harvest the saguaro fruit. They then get breakfasts of native foods and then they make syrup from the fruit they’ve harvested.” Park admission fees are: $5 per vehicle or $1 per person with a vehicle The cost for the workshop is $65 per person or $100 for two, and regholding over six people; cave tours are $13 for adults, $11 for military istration is limited to 25 people. The registration deadline is July 5. with ID; children 5-12 are $6.50, $6 for military children with ID. The “The second portion starts at 10 a.m., where we have presentations park is located in Vail at 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, a 30 minute drive by native O’odham speakers who explain the significance of the saguaro from downtown Tucson. Take I-10 east to exit 279. Call 520-647-7275 for and of their fruit. We also have a presentation with John Rhodes who talks specific driving directions; visit ColossalCave.com to learn more about the about the natural history of the saguaro. He brings saguaro seeds for peopark’s regular activities. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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events

Pallid Bat Enjoy the desert’s nightlife at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Summer Saturday Evenings. Photo: Jay Pierstorff/courtesy ASDM

by Emily Gindlesparger

Passing under the Campbell Avenue bridge along the Rillito River walk on a summer morning, you’ll hear a cacophony of little squeaks and clicks coming from expansion joints in the concrete overhead, but you won’t see the source until evening, when thousands of bats swarm out of hiding to feast on bugs. “Some bat populations in large urban areas can eat 30,000 pounds of insects in one night,” Shawnee Riplog-Peterson of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum says, touting the benefits of bat colonies. “What would we do without that?” On Thursday evenings this summer, Desert Museum docents will be at the bridge on River Road and Campbell Avenue and another at Broadway Boulevard and Pantano Road to talk about the Western pipistrelle, big brown, and Mexican free-tailed bats Tucsonans can see streaming out into the sky. On Saturdays, when the Desert Museum is open for the cool summer nights, visitors can find docents in the riparian area, who will turn on echo locators to hear the pops and blips of these winged mammals honing in on insects. Summer Saturday Evenings also give visitors a chance to spy on other native nocturnal rumblings. Riplog-Peterson, curator of mammalogy and ornithology, explains: “they can go out on the grounds and see, what does the night shift do? It really changes when you get to come out here and see all of that; they can see scorpions under a black light, and they get to see the beavers active. During the day they’re in their dens just sleeping away. People get little vignettes of what happens at night around here.” Several of the museum’s dining options are open and a heaping of activities is planned throughout the Summer Saturdays. The Native American

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Flute Circle will come out several weekends to perform and presentations on insects, arthropods, astronomy, photography, volcanoes, and even native foods abound. And of course, there will be plenty of talk about bats. The outreach is part of the International Year of the Bat effort, an awareness campaign established by the United Nations Environmental Programme’s Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats, to educate people about the benefits of bat populations that are declining across the planet. Our local populations eat insects, arthropods, nectars, fruit, and amazingly, fish; they fit beautifully into even urban ecosystems, providing pest control and seed dispersal. They’re the primary pollinators for many plants, including the Century Plant agave used to make tequila. “They’re really fabulous animals, and we’re the only ones who can do anything to save them,” says Riplog-Peterson. What can we do to that end? “Give them a place,” she elucidates. “Forgo the grass for native vegetation that will not only produce pollen and fruit, but also will produce insects that might come to it. Just think about doing as much as you possibly can with indigenous species.” n On Summer Saturday Evenings the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is open until 10 p.m. (some exhibits close before 10 p.m.) with reduced rates starting at 4 p.m.: $12 for adults, $3 for kids age 6-12. The museum is located at 2021 N. Kinney Rd., online at DesertMuseum.org. The website hosts more details on the aforementioned activities. Call 8832702 for general information.

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July/August Tue, July 3 STAR SPANGLED FIREWORKS Tucson Padres vs Salt Lake Bees baseball game includes a starspangled fireworks show at Kino Stadium at 7:05pm. Additional fireworks on Sat, July 28 and Sat, Aug 25. Kino Veteran’s Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way, TucsonPadres.com

18TH ANNIVERSARY FIREWORKS DISPLAY Promising to be the largest fireworks display in Tucson, the poolside event lawn opens to the public at 8pm for seating. Fireworks begin at approximately 9pm. Casino Del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Rd. 1-855-765-7829, CasinoDelSol.com

Wed, July 4 “A” MOUNTAIN FIREWORKS Food trucks, pig roast, live music and cold drinks. 5-10pm, fireworks start at 9:15pm. Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. 461-1110, MercadoSanAgustin.com

Fri, July 13 OCOTILLO POETRY SLAM Poetry and Jazz/ Poet’s Dinner. Free. 7pm. Café Passe, 415 N. 4th Ave. 390-1063, OcotilloPoetrySlam.com

Sat, July 14

dren 6-12 and their adult companions. Free. 1pm. Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. 624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org

Sat, Aug 11 2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN Street performers, arts and food vendors, outdoor movie, kid’s area and more! On the Scott Ave Stage: The Vexman, Tesoro, Annon & The Late Show. Free. 6pm-10:30pm. Downtown, 2ndSaturdays.com

Wed Aug 15 WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL The Loft Cinema presents inspirational films. 6:30pm. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 388-9925, SonoranDesert.org

Wed, Aug 15-Sun, Aug 19 TUCSON BIRD & WILDLIFE FESTIVAL Nature Expo involving history talks, critter exhibits and family-friendly programs. Riverpark Inn, 350 S. Freeway. 239-2300, TucsonAudobon.org/festival

Thu, Aug 16 TWILIGHT THIRD THURSDAYS

Performances by El Camino Royales and art by Patricia Katchur. $9 admission, $4 children. 5pm-8pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 3269686, TucsonBotanical.org

Events

Mondays MEET ME AT MAYNARDS (@Hotel Congress) Southern Arizona Roadrunners’ Monday evening, noncompetitive, social 3-mile run/walk that begins and ends downtown, rain/shine/holidays included! Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. 991-0733, MeetMeAtMaynards.com

Tuesdays DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Every Tuesday through August you & canine companions can enjoy the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Bring bags for doggie droppings! $3/dog, regular admission for humans. 8:30am-4:30pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org

Thursdays SANTA CRUZ RIVER FARMERS’ MARKET Locally grown fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, canned goods, honey, baked goods, eggs, gourds, herbal remedies, more. 4pm-7pm. Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. CommunityFoodBank.com

Fridays & Saturdays TANQUE VERDE SWAP MEET

VENTANA CANYON SUMMER INDOOR ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL Up to 50 artists

Live music every Friday and Saturday night. Fri, July 6: DJ Electron. Sat, July 7: David Bonilla & Friends. Fri, July 13: Ballet Folklorico. Sat, July 14: Max Weiland. Fri, July 20: Chris Hall. Sat, July 21: Thom Gelineau. Fri, July 27: Gary Jones. Sat, July 28: Tommy Tucker. 7:30pm10:30pm. Tanque Verde Swap Meet, 4100 S. Palo Verde Rd. 294-4252, TanqueVerdeSwapMeet.com

Performances by Tesoro and art by Valerie Galloway. $9 admission, $4 children. 5pm-8pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org

present and sell their work. 10am-4pm. Loews Ventana Canyon, 7000 N. Resort Dr. 797-3959, SAACA.org

MAYNARDS’ FARMERS’ MARKET Fresh,

OCOTILLO POETRY SLAM

salsa samplings from professional and amateur chefs. Event to feature live music, Mexican beer for sale, silent auction, salsa dancing lessons. 5pm-8pm. La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr. 797-3959, SAACA.org/ Salsa_Tequila_Challenge.html

2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN Street performers, arts and food vendors, outdoor movie, kid’s area and more! On Scott Ave Stage: Ballet Folklorico La Paloma, Collin Shook Trio, Roll Acosta, Funky Bonz. Free. 6pm-10:30pm. Downtown, 2ndSaturdays.com

Thu, July 19 TWILIGHT THIRD THURSDAYS

Poetry and Jazz at Cafe Passe. Performances by Naim Amor and Jeff Grubic. Free. 7pm. Cafe Passe, 415 N. 4th Ave. 3901063, OcotilloPoetrySlam.com

Fri, July 20-Sat, July 21 VIBRATIONS 2012 ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL 2-day festival featuring Barry Weaver, Rebellion, ZYFO, Codename 518, Inertia, Seth Myles, Brett Ortiz and more. See website for ticket pricing and times. Tucson Slaughterhouse, 1102 W. Grant Rd. Tucson 85705. Vibrations2012.info

Sun, Aug 5 PICTURE THIS! ART FOR FAMILIES Learn about Native American arts & culture, produce artwork inspired by Native American traditions as part of Tucson Collects: Spirit of the West exhibit; for chil-

Sat, Aug 18

Sat, Aug 25 SALSA CULINARY CHALLENGE Up to 30

ONGOING TUCSON PADRES BASEBALL

The minor league team’s home games take place at 7:05pm on July 1-3, 12-19, 28-31 & Aug 10-17, 22-26. Prices vary. See website for details. Kino Veteran’s Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way, TucsonPadres.com

SKYNIGHTS Nightly tours of the universe as part of the stargazing program. 5pm nightly, lasting approximately four-five hours. $60/adult includes a light dinner. Mount Lemmon Sky Center, see website for directions. 626-8122, Skycenter.arizona.edu

local products from 20+ local and regional vendors. 8am-noon. Maynards’ patio, 400 N. Toole Ave. MaynardsMarket.com

SUMMER SATURDAY EVENINGS AT DESERT MUSEUM Saturdays after sundown, check out exhibits featuring the Sonoran Desert’s nocturnal plants and wildlife. July 7 & 28: Musical summer night. July 14: Insect Insanity. July 21: Astronomy & Physics Night. Aug 4: Nocturnal Desert Skies. Aug 11: An Explosion of Desert Tales. Aug 18: Astronomy & Music. Aug 25: International Year of the Bat and Teacher Appreciation. $12 adults, $3 children (6-12), 5 and under free. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd. 883-2702, DesertMuseum.org

Sundays SUMMER SUNDAYS AT GALLERY ROW Featured art from various galleries. 11am-5pm. Free. Tucson Gallery Row, Skyline Drive/Campbell Avenue. TucsonGalleryRow.com

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events

Museums/Exhibits

TOHONO CHUL PARK Mesquite continues through July 22. Contemporary

ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM

Desert Encounters: Wildfire Artistry of Tell Hicks continues through Sept 9. Regularly: Desert flora and fauna, animal presentations, Raptor Free Flights, Summer Saturday evenings, more. $14.50, adults; $4.50, children 6-12. Daily, 7:30am-5pm. 2021 N. Kinney Rd. 883-1380, DesertMuseum.org

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TUCSON

Science Sundays takes place every Sunday through Sept 2. Kinder Camps continue through Aug 3 with various handson activities. See the website for regular attractions. $8, adults; $6, seniors & children 2-18. Tue-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-5pm. 200 S. 6th Ave. 792-9985, TucsonChildrensMuseum.org

MINI-TIME MACHINE MUSEUM Magical Mini Adventure Camps run to July 27. Registration fees apply. Summer Story Series: Authors from Rio Nuevo Publishing read their books. Sun, July 1: Joan Sandin. Sun, Aug 5: Susan Lowell. 2pm-4pm. 1st Thursdays, open until 8pm. Tue-Sat, 9am-4pm. $7, adults ($5 Thu); $6, seniors/ military; $5, 4-17. 4455 E. Camp Lowell. 881-0606, TheMiniTimeMachine.org

Ceramics opens July 26. Water opens Aug 30. See website for pricing. Entry Gallery: Pollinators: The Art of Interdependence continues through Aug 12. Daily events: Reptile Ramble, Eco-Station Walks, more. See the website for other events. Daily, 8am-5pm. $7, 13+; $5, 62+ & military; $3 students; $2 children. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. 742-6455, TohonoChulPark.org

TUCSON BOTANICAL GARDENS Flights of Fancy: Birds at Home in the Garden continues through the summer with live demonstrations on Sat, July 21 & Sat, Aug 18. Various camps continue throughout summer. Fourth Fridays - enjoy the nighttime flora and fauna with HOT Fridays on July 27 & August 24, 5pm to 8 pm. $8 for adults, members free. Twilight Third Thursdays takes place Thu, July 19 and Thu, Aug 16. Classes and activities at the gardens include: Songbirds Part 2: Thrushes to Tanagers on Thu, July 19; Smart Landscape Irrigation on Sat, July 14; Nature In a Box on Sat, July 21; Home Tweet Home Nesting Instincts on Sat, July 7. Times vary. Regular entry fees: $7, adults; $3, children 4-12. Daily, 8:30am-4:30pm (except holidays). 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org

Film

“Pulp Fiction” screens at The Loft Cinema on Fri, July 13.

“Vertigo” screens at Fox Theatre on Fri, July 13 and Sun, July 15.

“The Wages of Fear” screens at The Loft Cinema on Sun, Aug 19.

film listings Cinema La Placita La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave. Thursdays at 7:30pm, $3 suggested donation. 326-5282 CinemaLaPlacita.com July & August: Visit the website. The Loft Cinema 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 795-7777 (show times recording), 322-LOFT, LoftCinema.com Times and admissions vary. Dates generally indicate first date of movie run. July Sun 1: Frankenstein (Version Two) Mon 2: Wild Wild Planet Wed 4: America F**K Yeah! Team America: World Police, Yankee Doodle Dandy Thu 5: Strait- Jacket Fri 6: Sleepless Night, Turn Me On, Dammit!, First Friday Shorts, Wet Hot America Summer Sun 8: Hot Rod Wed 11: Heist: Who Stole The American Dream

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Thu 12: Dead Ringer, Summer Camp Fri 13: Elena, Polisse, Asylum Blackout, Pulp Fiction Sat 14: Hide Away Sun 15: Nobody Else But You, Duck Soup Wed 18: Shut Up and Play the Hits Thu 19: Kitten with a Whip Fri 20: Dark Horse, The Pact, The Cabin in the Woods Sat 21: The Yellow Submarine Sing-A-Long, The 2012 Tucson International Children’s Film Festival Sun 22: Kids Short Film Party Mix!, Author Chris Gall Reading DinoTrux Mon 23: Animals Are Beautiful People Tue 24: Invaders from Mars Wed 25: A Cat In Paris, Dead Heat Thu 26: Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!, The Bad Seed Fri 27: Take This Waltz, The Black Stallion, The Royal Tenenbaums Sat 28: Looney Tunes Sun 29: The Adventures of Prince Achmed August Sun 19: The Wages of Fear

Fox Theatre 17 W. Congress St. Admission varies. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org July Sat 7: Rear Window Sun 8: Rear Window Fri 13: Vertigo Sun 15: Vertigo August: Visit the website. Pima County Public Libraries 594-5500, Library.Pima.Gov July Mon 9: In the Light of Reverence (Himmel Park) Mon 30: Soldiers of Conscience (Himmel Park) August Mon 13: The Betrayal (Himmel Park) The Screening Room 127 E. Congress St., 882-0204. Call for information.

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Photo by Ja sper Ludwig

Art in Alchemy

Tucson Community Darkroom shares the Magic of Making Images by Emily Gindlesparger

Developing Photographs in the darkroom with Tucson Community Darkroom, 2012. TCD’s Elementary School students rinsing cyanotypes (a UV activated photographic process) 2011.

Photo by Julia DeConcini

Tucson Community Darkroom is open for rentals and small workshops by appointment. For more information or to join the mailing list and keep abreast of exhibitions, classes, workshops and new developments, email tucsoncommunitydarkroom@gmail.com. Call 450-7395 or visit TucsonCommunityDarkroom.org for other details.

film

Photo by Jasper Ludwig

In the dark quarters of the Tucson Community Darkroom, a transformation takes place as a sheet of blank paper in a tray of chemicals begins to cloud, and then becomes a picture. “Darkroom photography is incredible because of how much you learn and experience when you’re practicing it,” writes Jasper Ludwig, co-founder of TCD, in an email. “Film and historical process photography teach and incorporate an understanding of chemistry, mathematics and art history, and provide a lot of interesting and incredibly creative options for photographers.” “In the back of my mind, I always had an inkling to share this completely amazing art form with other youth and the public in general.” Ludwig says, and when she met Julia DeConicini, suddenly “creating a community educational photographic facility was realistic.” After finishing school in Olympia, Washington, they each moved back to Tucson, and Tucson Community Darkroom was born as a reality in March 2011. Most of the nonprofit’s programming is currently with youth in schools. Under the DeConicini’s tutelage, grade school students at Catalina Foothills experimented with pinhole photography, photo-grams and cyanotypes. “The processes always produce magical and ethereal results, and the kids loved it,” Ludwig wrote of DeConicini’s semester, while Ludwig was working with students at City High in film and paper processes. “I see analog making folks focus a lot more,” she notes. “They have a set number of exposures, so they really pay attention. They become determined to get fulfilling results. The students I’ve been working with have also really focused on making beautiful prints, and conveying emotion and beauty through their images.” Someday soon, Ludwig and DeConicini hope to move their small appointment-only facilities to a bigger space that can be open set hours for community members to work in black and white, color, large format film and prints, studio photography, and print finishing, as well as a gallery space for exhibitions. Until then, the pair will be sharing the magic one school, and one appointment, at a time. n

Film

Producer Daniel Buckley outside of El Casino Ballroom.

Saving Stories

Dan Buckley’s Cine Plaza Film Series by Herb Stratford Dan Buckley is a man on a mission, a mission to capture the stories that make us an exciting, vibrant and diverse community before they are all gone. For Buckley, those who can capture these stories have an obligation to do so for the rest of us, and he won’t rest until he’s done. It’s an odd path, the one that he finds himself on these days, after a 22-year career as a journalist at the now shuttered Tucson Citizen. Buckley has carved himself into a true Renaissance man, with stints in music performance, composing, writing and filmmaking. It all began in 1971 when he came to the University of Arizona to study lunar geology; only to learn from a professor that America’s trips to the moon were all but over. He was strongly encouraged to seek other pursuits rather than being an astronaut. Firmly in love with Tucson for some 40 plus years, Buckley is a true didactic in that if he discovers something he wants to do; he teaches himself how to do it. His love of music began with a stint at the Record Bar in El Con Mall and that led to his formation with two other performance artists/musicians of a “band” The Little Dinks, who became famous in the early ‘80s downtown for their spirited, if quasi-professional performances. But it is Buckley’s current obsession that is blending all of his interests and experiences into

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one neat package—the Cine Plaza at the Fox documentary film series. Originally conceived as a small documentary gathering of stories in 2009, this project is now in its fifth “chapter” with a film documenting the history and stories of El Casino Ballroom, which is celebrating its 65 anniversary this year. Previous entries in this evolving series focused on Tucson’s Spanishlanguage theatres and older barrio neighborhoods thanks to a collaboration between Buckley, historian Ralph Gonzalez and Julie Gallego. This time the attention is squarely on one of Tucson’s true treasures. The venerable El Casino venue, historic host to big name touring national acts, has also been a cornerstone in the community supporting up and coming talent, and taking care of its own with annual Christmas events, and other activities. Buckley was struck by how “the community wouldn’t let it die,” following a rough patch where the roof was blown off, rendering the venue nearly unusable for nearly a decade. Originally opened in 1947, El Casino Ballroom has perhaps one of the most diverse and lengthy legacies of any venue in Tucson. Everyone that Buckley has interviewed has been “thrilled that someone asked about it,” and the very “grass roots” nature of this work has been inspiring and greatly rewarding to Buckley.

While his work as a journalist at the Tucson Citizen “made him a better storyteller,” he is really acting as a conduit with his Cine Plaza films, helping to document and preserve a valuable resource for future generations—its oral history. All of the interviews and materials gathered for his Cine Plaza film series will one day reside at the Arizona Historical Society where they can be further studied and preserved long after the first person memories of our history are silenced. One unique element to the El Casino Ballroom chapter of the Cine Plaza series is the addition of a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the production. Buckley has received some small grants in the past, but the cost of gathering and producing quality material for the series has taken a toll, and the new trend of micro financing for arts projects is a natural opportunity. While the campaign ends on July 7, the film is set to premiere at the Fox Tucson Theatre on August 5. n Visit Kickstarter.com/projects/1834268733/ tucsons-heart-and-soul-el-casino-ballroom to help support the project. More information at: Danielbuckleyarts.com/el-casino-ballroomdocumentary.

Photo courtesy Daniel Buckley Productions

photo: Leigh Spigelman

Cool cure: Eric Lepie’s hot weather antidote at 1702

cooldown

It’s cool

Confections to lick, scoop or slurp your way through Summer by Monica Surfaro Spigelman

Is it hot enough? No need to remind Tucsonans that this oven isn’t expected to turn down any time soon. No problem: Let it broil. Because we can beat the heat with a stick, cup or cone. July is National Ice Cream Month, designated so by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, so we’re saluting our city’s imaginative cold concoctions. Tucson has so many options for sweetly old-fashioned, defiantly spicy or sour wonders, it’s hard to pick a favorite from all the artisan crafters who are taking frozen comfort to new levels.

History Churns Scooping his way to the top of the list may be one of the early adopters of ice cream as art form: Eric Lepie. Before there was Ben & Jerry’s there was Eric, churning small batches of oddly wonderful and buttery ice cream from his small shop, first located on Broadway and then in multiple locations dotting our city. Lepie and his ice cream now live at 1702 E. Speedway Blvd. In the 1970s, as now, Eric’s ice creams were eccentric, tasty

delights like Gentle Persuasion (prune and oatmeal; get it?) and Cranial Crucial Crusader Crunch (coffee-based, made for astronauts, no kidding). His quality flavors attracted both the famous (Liberace was a customer) as well as loyal locals. What’s the big deal about ice cream? “It’s just good old-fashioned stuff,” Lepie says, who was ahead of his time with his 1970s weird concoctions. Today, customers still bring grandkids into 1702 asking for revivals of old favorites. “It’s about fun memories as much as flavor and texture,” says the guy who still reigns supreme in Tucson’s ice cream world. “But no kidding: Your senses will know when the ice cream is good. There’s no mistaking quality.” So whether your preference is decadently creamy, refreshingly thirstquenching, sans lactose, vegan or gluten free – turn the page for a few of Tucson’s eclectic frozen options. Get those tongues or recycled spoons and straws ready: ‘Tis the season to dig in to the delicious.

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 19

Ice Cream 1702 1702 E. Speedway Blvd., 1702AZ.com This haven for craft-brewed IPAs and great pizza has a secret ingredient: It’s Eric, in the back working magic with his Emery Thompson ice cream machine. For years Eric has been creating unmistakable signature ice cream with his delicious pairings and use of deeply wholesome ingredients. Enthusiasts fly in to pick up a few pints for gourmet dining in the Grand Canyon. There are old standards as well as new flavors with good stuff like green chili. Lactose-intolerant beware: only high butterfat content sold here.

Chocolate Iguana

Sonoran Sno Cone

Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento, MercadoSanAgustin.com Everyone seems to have their favorite haunt for Tucson’s south of the border bit of summer heaven, the raspados. This kicked-up snow cone is full of diced fresh summer fruits, dollops of ice cream and assorted Mexican syrups. It can be spicy Mango yada or just have sweet berry goodness. Sonoran Sno Cone in the Mercado courtyard is one downtown raspado fav, and this summer expect an evolution at Sonoran Sno Cones with a fresh fruit & veggie juice bar. For other ways to sing summer’s olé, don’t forget El Charro Café, 311 S. Court, ElCharroCafe.com, where kids can have paletas and adults enjoy scoops or bowls of vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with dulce de leche syrup. More Sonora freshness is at Little Poca Cosa, 151 N. Stone Ave., LittlePocaCosa.com, where cool white horchata and authentic aquas frescas with summer fruits are fresh daily. Straws required. photos: Leigh Spigelman

500 N. 4th Ave., ChocolateIguanaon4th.com You can amuse yourself with nostalgic toys and gnomes as you cool off with your scoop of Dreyers. All sorts of toppings at this decades-old family-run institution. The signature Chocolate Iguana needs a straw, with its mint chocolate chips, whipped cream topping and edible iguana tail (mint stick).

Shaved Ice Fresca

Coldstone Creamery 1927 E. Speedway Blvd. (and multiple locations), ColdstoneCreamery. com They claim they make it the way you want it and it’s true. Your choice of ice cream, made fresh daily, is slapped on the marble slab and then generously swirled with sprinkles or whatever you want mixed in. There are some low-fat options and some non-dairy sorbet flavors.

Hub 266 E. Congress St., HubDowntown.com A hand-forged USA-made batch freezer is the artisan instrument that helps design the delicious ice creams crafted at The Hub. This summer watch for a bevy of new flavors that take your ice cream to new hip heights, including a spicy rocky road or peach upside down cake. Count on old favorites like salted caramel, as well, in cups or cones. So scoop your fix of cardamom vanilla, head up to the Playground, and leave the heat behind as you watch a sunset.

Isabella’s Ice Cream Solar-powered truck with a semi-permanent station at Bookmans, 1930 E. Grant Rd., IsabellasIceCream.com. For ice cream lovers who fondly recall running after the Good Humor or soft serve ice cream parlors on wheels, there’s Isabella’s of Tucson with its beautifully-fashioned ice creams and sorbets. The ice cream is made with local ingredients (cream from Sarah Farms of Yuma, cane from Mexico, local eggs, locally roasted beans for coffee ice cream), as natural as you can get (pure cocoa powder, fresh fruit purees). Expect a lot more sorbets this summer with fruit fresh from local farms. The station at Bookman’s, like the trucks, is green construction and of course will offer sustainable containers, napkins and spoons. Watch Facebook for news about the Bookman station hours and special events.

Santa Barbara Ice Creamery 1058 N. Campbell Ave., 323-1231 Its McConnell’s-brand ice cream churned in Santa Barbara, with plenty of flavors and ice cream cake yum. Local Jo Jensen was a Baskin Robbins franchisee who stayed true to ice cream that can burst with flavor and chunks of candy flecks, depending on your mood.

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Frost

Gelatos

2905 E. Skyline Dr. #286 (and multiple locations), FrostGelato.com If you want to take butterfat down a notch, Italy-inspired gelato is a refreshing alternative. Tucson offers several gelaterias – Frost, run by two University of Arizona Eller grads, is a Foothills or East Side choice, with high-quality fruits and toppings blended into its fat-free sorbets and fine gelatos. The blue décor and sparkling cases are an authentic and fresh Italian presentation. Gluten-free folks, remember to avoid the cookie stick offered with each confection.

Allegro: Il Gelato Naturale 446 N. Campbell Ave. #120, GelatoAllegro.com More authenticity closer to the University is found at Allegro, where two large circular cases offer unique flavor combinations including pineapple basil and salted caramel. Vegan, gluten and dairy-free requirements respected here as well as the fresh and creamy.

Brooklyn Pizza Company 534 N. 4th Ave., BrooklynPizzaCompany.com Brooklyn offers a variety of flavors of rich Italian ice cream and dairy free Italian ices. Available in 2 scoops, pints and 3 gallons for catering. They are also able to make custom flavors for special events.

Photos above: Kristel Johnson of Isabella fame shows off her locally produced and sourced ice creams, including chocolate chocolate chip, cookies and cream, mixed berry sorbet and pistachio nut.

Photos below: HUB Ice Creamery; A Mango Strawberry Sonoran Sno Cone, made from the freshest fruits and syrups; Sonoran Sno Cone Owner Mia Robles creates wonderful raspados and cool delights at the Sonoran Sno Cone shop located in the Mercado San Agustin.

Baskin Robbins 904 E. University Ave., BaskinRobbins.com Can’t talk summer cool without mention of this rainbow-sprinkled specialty chain on University. Select your fix from rows of sweet concoctions and lots of topping choices including marshmallow or fudge. Check website for promotion and summer flavor treats, like strawberry-lemonade sherbet.

Dairy Queen 501 N. 4th Ave., DairyQueen.com Dilly bars, dipped cones, parfaits – it is Tuc-

Good Ol’ Chains

son’s favorite All-American, soft-served goodness! This temptation has been a 4th Avenue mainstay for more than half a century. Who doesn’t line up on a summer evening for a chocolate-dipped soft serve or a beloved Blizzard, full of fruit, chocolate, cookie or candy. Watch for summer specials. You can go gluten or lactose-free here with their slushies.

Pinkberry University of Arizona Student Union, 1303 E. University Ave., Pinkberry.com

Since 2005, this now-global franchise has been the anti-ice-cream frozen yogurt of choice for healthy summer refreshment, and it is here in Tucson on campus. Its fresh fruit and eclectic toppings are great-taste options. Lots of live and active cultures are offered in traditional and season flavors. Watermelon Pinkberry is a thirst-quencher. Kosher certified. Pinkberry takes pains to note that “While we take steps to minimize the risk of cross contamination, we cannot guarantee that any of our products are safe to consumer for people with peanut, tree nut, soy, milk, egg or wheat allergies.”

photos: Leigh Spigelman

Ice Pops, Slurries and Sprinkles There are many others curating innovative ice sticks or jumbo slurpies in a variety of zesty flavors. Scan this quick-hit list for your favorite:

Cyclopsicle

loved blueberry almond crumble sundaes. The Epic Orange Cream – mandarin orange, vanilla bean syrup, Perrier, topped with homemade whipped cream comes with an orange straw.

Mobile unit, various locations or 97 E. Congress St., Cyclopsicle.com. Find Gus pedaling pineapple jalapeño, cantaloupe or other unique paletas. Word has it they’ll soon be made in the Mercado’s commercial kitchen. Check Facebook for summer locations.

Xoom Juice

Eegee’s

Cafe Passé

1400 N. Stone Ave. (and multiple locations), Eegees.com. Can’t forget a mention of this Tucson original, whose slushes are hot day crowd favorites. Get your brain-freeze slush drink in variety of summer lactose-free flavors.

415 N. 4th Ave., CafePasse.com Go vegan, gluten and lactose free with Oscar Wilde and its chunks of mango and shot of passion fruit.

Epic Café 745 N. 4th Ave., Epic-Cafe.com You’ll line up here for scoops of Breyers or be-

245 E. Congress St. (and multiple locations), XoomJuice.com. Any smoothie can be made non-dairy, all with pure fruit and juices. You also can go creamy with the soy espresso infusionals.

Ike’s Coffee & Tea 100 N. Stone Ave. #111, 3400 E. Speedway Blvd. #121, IkesCoffeeTea.com Caffeinate as well as refresh with one of Ike’s shakes, including the German Chocolate chiller.

Caffé Milano 46 W. Congress St., 628-1601 Old-country Italy is downtown on the Caffé Milano patio (re-opening after Carlo and Laura’s return from Milan on July 18). Lunchtime you can stop by for a mangia e bevi. Translated “eat and drink,” this is simple Italian comfort refreshment – your basic ice cream sundae with ice cream and fresh fruit. Order a strong steamy espresso (schiumato with foam) on the side and drip your espresso over the chilled treat. Sit back and (almost!) feel as you would if you were al fresco in Milan.

We’ve come a long way since Roman emperor Nero ordered ice to be brought from the mountains and combined with fruit toppings. Tucsonans are handcrafting some spicy and artsy pleasures. Go enjoy something off-beat! In this heat, ice cream or a frosty alternative is your best friend! n

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urbannews

Upgrading Downtown by Teya Vitu Chicago Store, 130 E. Congress St., is one of two historic buildings that will be spiffed up this year with grants from the Downtown Tucson Partnership’s Façade Improvement Program. Chicago Store was awarded $90,000 and City High School, 48 E. Pennington St., was awarded $35,000 for façade work on the 1941 Howard & Stofft Stationers/Shoe City building, 37 E. Pennington St., across the alley from the charter high school. Both entities must match the full amount of the façade program grant. Plans for the 1903 built, Italianate-style structure that has housed the Chicago Store since 1967, but has had a rag-tag appearance for years, include giving the upper half of the building – with the boarded up windows – a coat of yellowish paint. Glass will replace plywood in the upper level transom windows on the Congress side and in the covered windows on the 6th Avenue side. A brownish paint with black accents will cover the bottom. The yellow and black are based on the colors of the tiles along the bottom of the store’s window displays. “The color makes a huge change,” said Tatyana Bresler, a partner at Tucson-based Eglin+Bresler Architects, the firm designing the façade improvements. “You can repaint it and not recognize the building.” The new paint will replace the red that came to represent the façade’s slow decline, punctuated with the boarded up windows, some of them decorated with murals. The Chicago Store’s façade decline matched Downtown’s own doldrums in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, when the store was owned by Joe and Phil Levkowitz. “Through the 1990s, there was a certain element to have these (murals),” said David Fregonese, Chicago Store’s chief executive. “Now, after Joe and Phil (they died in 2004), we are modernizing the business and the building.” “They will change the look dramatically,” Bresler said. “We’re trying to be extremely sensitive. This is only preservation and restoration. The direct work is rehabilitation.” Chicago Store and City High are the thirdround entries for the Façade Improvement Program, which was launched in 2008 and has improved seven historic Downtown facades for about $368,000 in Façade Improvement grants

37 E. Pennington St., in 1941

1980

Today

Tomorrow

funded with a combination of city and private funds. Carrie Brennan, City High’s executive director, likes to describe the neighboring Shoe City building as invisible on Pennington Street, a vacant building you can walk by every day and not even realize it’s there. The Cele Peterson Family owns both the City High and Shoe City buildings, and Brennan collaborated with the family for this façade improvement project that is intended to allow the high school to add a middle school, down to sixth grade, in 2014. “The immediate use for the store front will be for student project displays,” Brennan said. The building has two large faceted display windows flanking a smaller, central display case. Architect Blake Goble of Tucson-base G&F Architects will paint the building a dark gray, repair the windows and restore the display case and the tile wall at the base. City High School will be spelled out with laser cut steel plate letters on the parapet that will be silhouetted at night with LED backlighting. The letters will resemble the look of the original Howard and Stofft lettering from 1941. City High has used the building for storage for a few years. The use matched the building’s nondescript look. Now, with the façade improvement this year, the building’s use will be upgraded to an event space and classroom space to once again match the restored 1940s modernist look. “We’ve been waiting for an opportunity for years,” said Brennan, one of the founders of City High, which opened on Pennington in 2003. “We just made the decision in the last 18 months to stay on Pennington for the next 10-15 years.” Previous Downtown Tucson Partnership Façade Improvement Program grant winners include: The Screening Room, the Rialto building, Beowulf Alley Theatre, Imago Dei Middle School and The Drawing Studio. n The full version of this article originally appeared on the Downtown Tucson Partnership’s website at DowntownTucson.org.

Photos: Blake Goble from G & F Architects, LLC provided the Shoe City/ Howard & Stofft images.

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 23

n e e B r e v e N Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s O G o t r e i s a E ! N W O T N W O D

DowntownTucson.org

Urban chic. Hip and artsy. Down-to-earth and family-friendly. Downtown Tucson is the place to be! More than 40 signature restaurants. Dozens of unique local retailers with fun stuff that can’t be found anywhere else in town. 15,000 parking spaces. Great nightlife every night. See what’s happening at DowntownTucson.org.

J U LY/ A U G U S T E V E N T S

July 1 – Watch Grammy-winner Lyle Lovett, one of country music’s most lauded performers, fusing the great musical storytelling tradition of Tom Waits with the genre-busting songwriting ability of Gram Parsons at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

August 25 - A fundraiser for Tucson’s Community radio station, 91.3FM, featuring local bands covering classics from 1972 at the Rialto Theatre.

ONGOING:

July 4 – Platinum rapper Twista performs at the Rialto Theatre. July 4 – Get a front row seat for the A Mountain Firework Show at the 1st annual 4th of July celebration at Mercado San Agustin. Shortly before sunset, you can park your car at the Mercado and enjoy a street food extravaganza with the best food trucks in town. July 11 – Legendary singer Willie Nelson performs at the Fox Tucson theatre. He is recognized worldwide as an American troubadour and icon, transcended musical genres and has remained relevant over five decades through his music, his acting and as the face of such social causes as Farm Aid. July 14 – Enjoy 2nd Saturdays Downtown with street performers, arts and food vendors, outdoor movie, kid’s area and more! On Scott Ave Stage: Ballet Folklorico La Paloma, Collin Shook Trio, Roll Acosta, Funky Bonz. July 18 - Pat Benatar, a four-time Grammy winner with six platinum and four gold albums to her credit as well as hit singles, performs at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

Mondays - Meet Me At Maynards (@Hotel Congress) is Southern Arizona Roadrunners’ Monday evening, non-competitive, social 3-mile run/walk that begins and ends downtown, rain/shine/holidays included! Thursdays - Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market features locally grown fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, canned goods, honey, baked goods, eggs, gourds, herbal remedies, more at the Mercado San Agustin. Saturdays – Maynard’s Farmers’ Market has fresh, local products from 20+ local and regional vendors at Maynard’s Market.

Find more information on all of these great events, plus dozens of other events, parking, dining, shopping and more at

DowntownTucson.org

July 21 - The Reverend Horton Heat is perhaps the most popular psychobilly artist of all time, known for constant touring, manic showmanship, and a twisted sense of humor. Catch him at the Rialto Theatre. July 27 – Join Coming Out: A Queer Dance Party Hosted by Raw-J at La Cocina at Old Town Artisans. August 1 - Diego’s Umbrella, San Francisco’s Ambassadors of Gypsy Rock, will perform at Club Congress. August 3 – Catch an all ages show featuring Big K.R.I.T. with Casey Veggies and Big Sant at the Rialto Theatre. August 7 - “Weird Al” Yankovic, the undisputed king of pop culture parody, will be making them laugh at the Fox Tucson Theatre. August 11 - 2nd Saturdays Downtown with street performers, arts and food vendors, outdoor movie, kid’s area and more! On the Scott Ave Stage: The Vexman, Tesoro, Annon & The Late Show. August 15-August 19 – Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival is a nature expo involving history talks, critter exhibits and family-friendly programs at the Riverpark Inn. August 18 - Come enjoy a cool morning adventure with your kids in Downtown from 9am-11:30am. Kids’ Day Downtown is a free, fun, scavenger hunt for the whole family, beginning and ending at Ben’s Bells located at 40 West Broadway Blvd. Enjoy interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations from Ben’s Bells, the Tucson Children’s Museum and Tu Nidito.

Downtow n’s Great Summer Happenin gs!

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Images courtesy Randy Young/Water in the Walls

Business

Cutaway of the Water in the Walls system.

A conceptual Water in the Walls design.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Randy Young is on to something – a sustainable, non-toxic, off-the-gird, design savvy something. Young’s patent-pending rain harvesting system, Water in the Walls, was imagined three years ago while researching the essentials needed for living off-the-grid. “I couldn’t find a water harvesting system that would last well or be functional long term,” Young explained. As he did more research, Young learned that many home owner associations do not allow metal or plastic rain harvesting systems for aesthetic reasons. For Young, plastic harvesting tanks weren’t even a viable option. “In the desert, plastics have a short life span, and I have petroleum toxicity, so I am hyper aware of petroleum in products.” Young explained that he was a master mechanic for seven years at a car dealership. One day, his kidneys shut down due to petroleum toxicity, landing him in the hospital and forcing him to switch his career path. Young is Zen about what happened: “It’s all created my evolution.” And it is an interesting journey the native Tucsonan has taken. Young, a sculptor and metal worker, went on to establish the Sculpture Resource Center at 640 N. Stone Ave. “That was due to not having access to equipment,” the artist elucidated. Currently, Young gets paid to ride his bike and hike as a guide for Southwest Trekking while he gets Water in the Walls up and running. He’s off to a good start. This April, Water in the Walls won the Judges’ Choice Award at the 2012 SAHBA Home & Garden Show. Young also reported that the system had a great response from water industry and government planning professionals at the March 2012 Arid LID (Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development in Arid Environments) Conference. His environmentally solid concept, with gorgeous options for discerning home owners, began taking shape in earnest two years ago when Young said he started working with a CAD artist, and approaching engineers and investors. Young’s appreciation was palpable when he stated: “Last summer, an investor stepped in to help pay for a patent lawyer and engineering fees.” While Young is not an engineer, he attributes his ability to re-imagine common objects to his versatility across mechanical and artistic platforms. Young also credits writings by David A. Bainbridge, about the use of water inside walls for passive heating and cooling, as an inspiration.

by Jamie Manser

“Water has three times the mass of stone or concrete,” Young elucidated. “With concrete and water together, there is a 12 hour delay on temperature change.” He said this can help keep an outdoor space cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, depending on how the walls are set up on a property. While the system is still in the prototype phase, the designs are fully approved by Pima County. Young is building the molds for the modular system himself, which he said allows for a wide range of design options. “Our real bulletproof walls look like a stuccoed adobe or straw bale wall when completed.” Young makes it clear that the additional components – plumbing, downspouts, and filtration systems – are all on the market. “We’re not reinventing the wheel; we’re just putting a tire on it.” Besides the obvious benefits of harvesting rain in an arid land, such as supporting gardens and landscapes, this system allows some freedom from municipal water dependency which can come in handy with unforeseen emergencies. Although Young jokingly references a zombie apocalypse in his brochures; anyone who has experienced natural disasters understands the importance of having access to clean water in times of crisis. It certainly is a timely endeavor for the inventor as water tables fall and global populations are rising. For the customer, it not only enables peace of mind but also comes with the added benefit of rebates from Tucson Water. “It’s going to take a lot of small solutions,” Young added. “I look forward to a time when water harvesting is just something that you do.” n Visit WaterInTheWalls.com, email Randy@waterinthewalls.com or call 940-3177 for more details. Interested in supporting the project? Go to GreenUnite.com and search “Help Water in the Walls fund prototype development.” Also check out Brad Lancaster’s website, HarvestingRainwater.com. Tucson Water customers can apply for rebates up to $2,000 for capturing and storing rainwater after attending a free workshop and creating a harvesting plan. More details on the program are available online at cms3. tucsonaz.gov/water/rwh-rebate or by calling 791-4331.

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 27

Arts

Obsidian Gallery Big City Ambience in Downtown Tucson by Dolly Spalding

Artist: James Tisdale Title: Untitled Medium: Terracotta earthenware, stains, glazes

Title: Twisted Not Stirred 2 Artist: George Penaloza Medium: High fire paper clay with stains and cold glazes

28 THEZMAG.com | July/August 2012

Serene, cool and quiet (except for the occasional passing train), with high ceilings and bright white walls, Obsidian Gallery occupies its oasis-like showroom at the north end of the meticulously restored downtown Historic Train Depot as if by decree; perfection relative to proportion, aura, neighborhood and contents. Three big rooms plus a hall comprise the spacious gallery, which is well-suited for the display of two- and three-dimensional, large and small, free-standing and wall-hung works. Everything has room to breathe; no work rudely encroaches on another or seems out of place. The presence of unabashedly whimsical and avant-garde — in some cases downright startlingly so — ceramic sculptures immediately mitigates whatever apprehension such a sophisticated setting might elicit. Although it feels a lot like a NYC Fifth Avenue address, the preponderance of clay works and the elegant glass cases of unique handcrafted jewelry gives it a different atmosphere from what often permeates metropolitan art emporiums. Monica and James Prillaman, mother and son, have owned Obsidian for five years and moved it downtown in October 2011, after more than 25 years in St. Philips Plaza. Monica asserts that the move was instigated partly due to a change in the Plaza’s gallery aesthetic as it transitioned more toward Native American art and crafts and away from “traditional” galleries, especially one featuring ceramic sculpture and handcrafted jewelry as Obsidian does. For July and August, the work of five artists who utilize a variety of media will be rotated. James Tisdale makes oversized terra cotta earthenware sculptures that he characterizes as a “visual journal.” They pay homage to southern folk art with humor and pathos. Jill Bell crafts brightly colored and playful ceramic sculptures and utilitarian objects such as very quirky teacups. Locals include ceramicist George Penaloza, inspired by fantasy movies and special effects designs; Laurel Hansen, showing mixed media drawings; and Joe Hatton, whose colorful paintings interpret natural forms. The contemporary jewelry on display is both extensive (more than 500 pieces) and exquisite; the work of several dozen of the finest masters of the craft to be found anywhere. Monica says it was “the staple of the business, especially up in St. Philips. Down here we find we’re selling more art and less jewelry, but I would like to continue to sell really fine jewelry; a lot of people don’t know about it.” This “jewelry” is actually wearable art; it seems unrelated to ordinary adornment, as the artists show their creations in deluxe settings far removed from most typical retail establishments. Obsidian showcases both national and local talents, probably about 25 percent local - most already represented either by themselves or other galleries, according to Monica. She says, “We are being approached by people from other places, saying “Could I show there?” For example, Gerard Ferrari, living in Minnesota, emailed after discovering the web site and said, ‘I think your gallery is a good fit for my work.’ We are getting more and more of that. Even though some of the other galleries occasionally show ceramic work, we do it all the time. Every time we thought about the shows we like best, we said, ‘Oh, that was a clay show’! So, we said, ‘Okay, why don’t we emphasize that?’” It has become a niche that really sets them apart and deserves a visit, or several! n Obsidian Gallery is located at 410 N. Toole Ave. #120 in the Historic Depot, online at Obsidian-Gallery.com and 577-3598. Summer gallery hours, effective July 8, are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gallery is closed July 1 through 7.

arts

Photo courtesy of TucsonBotanical.org

“Cactus Stilt,” by Patricia Katchur, is showcased as part of the “Desierto” exhibit opening Aug 1.

art Galleries/exhibits ARTSEYE GALLERY

4th Annual Curious Camera photo exhibit continues through July 31. Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm; Sat, 10am-5pm. 3550 E. Grant Rd. 327-7291, ArtsEye.com

BLUE RAVEN GALLERY

Express Yourself...Anything Goes! continues through Aug 18. Closing reception is Sat, Aug 11, 6pm-8:30pm. Whales of Baja slideshow is Sat, July 14, 7pm-8pm. Thu, noon-4pm; Fri, noon-5pm; Sat, 11am5pm. 3042 N. 1st Ave. 623-1003, BlueRavenGalleryandGifts.com

CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY

Made in Arizona: Photographs from the Collection opens Sat, Aug 18. The gallery is closed until Aug 17 for maintenance. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sun, noon-5pm. 1030 N. Olive Rd. 621-7968, CreativePhotography.org

CONRAD WILDE GALLERY

Addition/Subtraction continues through July 28. Fri-Sat, 12pm-5pm. 439 N. 6th Ave. #171. 622-8997, ConradWildeGallery.com

CONTRERAS GALLERY When Sight Speaks by Jane Buckman opens Sat, July 7 with a reception from 6pm-10pm. Contreras Art shows throughout August. Tues-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 11am-4pm. 110 E. 6th St. 398-6557, ContrerasHouseFineArt.com

DAVIS DOMINGUEZ GALLERY See the website. Thu-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 154 E. 6th St. 629-9759, DavisDominguez.com

DECO

Art for the Garden continues through Aug 31. Tue-Wed, Sat, 11am-4pm; Thu-Fri, 11am-5pm. 2612 E. Broadway Blvd. 319-0888, DecoArtTucson.com

DEGRAZIA GALLERY IN THE SUN Continuing through January 2013 is Portraits of DeGrazia a special collection of more than 50 portraits by dozens of artists. On exhibit through February 2013 is The Bisbee Years - paintings dating from the DeGrazia’s life in Bisbee, 1936 to 1942. Open daily, 10am-4pm. 6300 N. Swan Rd. 299-9191, DeGrazia.org

Galleries continued on page 30

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 29

Arts

THE DRAWING STUDIO

Fundamental Skills continues through July 29. Art of Summer runs July 30-Aug 20. Tue-Sat, noon-4pm. 33 S. 6th Ave. 620-0947, TheDrawingStudio.org

ETHERTON GALLERY A Classic Collection continues through Aug 31. TueSat, 11am-5pm. 135 S. 6th Ave. 624-7370, EthertonGallery.com

Florence Quater Gallery

at Southwest University of Visual Art’s, opens Loosely Arranged, featuring the works of nationally recognized visual storytellers, through July 27. 2538 N. Country Club Rd., suva.edu

FLUXX STUDIO AND GALLERY Live Drumming and Movement on Wed, July 25 & Wed, Aug 29. Fluxx Studio and Gallery, 414 E. 9th St. Fluxxproductions.com

JOSEPH GROSS GALLERY Above and Below by artist Josh Keyes continues through Aug 30 with a closing reception on Aug 30 from 5pm-6:30pm. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-4pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 626-4215, CFA.arizona.edu/galleries

MADARAS GALLERY

Summer Sundays includes music, art and brunch at Acacia every Sunday. Reception on Sun, July 8, 11am-1pm. Gilligan’s Island party on July 12, 5pm-7pm. Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 11am-5pm. 3001 E. Skyline Dr, #101. 623-4000, Madaras.com.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Work by Hunter Jonakin and Jordan Vinyard is on exhibit. Wed-Sun, noon-5pm. $8, adults; free, children under 12, members, military; free to all second Wednesday of the month. 265 S. Church Ave. 624-5019, MOCA-Tucson.org

OBSIDIAN GALLERY Summer Solos continues through Sept 1. Obsidian Gallery, 410 N. Toole Ave. #120. 577-3598, Obsidian-Gallery.com

PHILABAUM GLASS GALLERY & STUDIO

Philabaum & Phriends continues through Aug 31. Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm. 711 S. 6th Ave. 884-7404, PhilabaumGlass.com

PORTER HALL GALLERY Art by Valerie Galloway, July 1-July 29; reception is Thu, July 19, 5pm-8pm. Desierto by Patricia Katchur opens Aug 1; reception is Thu, Aug 16, 5pm-8pm. $8, adults; $4, children 4-12; Free, children 3 and under. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org

SACRED MACHINE Beyond The Sacred Arts Festival continues through July 31. Wed-Fri, 1pm-4pm; Sat, 4pm-9pm; Sun, 3pm-6pm. 245 E. Congress St. 7777403, SacredMachine.com TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART

Doodle for Google continues through Aug 31. Tucson Collects: Spirit of the West & 100 Years, 100 Ranchers: Photographs by Scott T. Baxter continues through Sept 23. See the events page and the museum’s website for information on children’s activities in July and August. Tue-Wed, Fri-Sat, 10am-6pm; Thu, 10am-8pm; Sun, noon-6pm. $8, adults; $6, seniors; $3, students 13+; free, children under 12. Free to all the first Sunday of the month. 140 N. Main Ave. 624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org

UA ART MUSEUM Master Impressions: 17th Century Prints from the Permanent Collection continues through Aug 5. Joshua Olivera: Palimpsest: An Image of What Once Was continues through Sept 2. David Headley and Sol LeWitt Days shows through Oct 28. Tue-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun, noon-4pm. $5 adults; children, students, faculty, free. 1031 N. Olive Rd. ArtMuseum.arizona.edu

WILDE MEYER GALLERY Personal Journey shows July 5-July 28. Mon-Fri, 10am-5:30pm. 3001 E. Skyline Dr. 615-5222, WildeMeyer.com

YIKES TOYS The Art Department premieres with a reception on Sat, July 21, 6pm-8pm, for local artists Catherine Eyde, Valerie Galloway and Vicki Lázaro. 2930 E. Broadway Blvd. 320-5669, YikesToys.com

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Photo by Kevin Frederick Clark

arts

Performances ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY

Legally Blonde and Machinal show as part of Summer on Stage, a high school thespian camp, Wed, July 25-Sat, July 28. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 884-8210, ArizonaTheatre.org

BEOWULF ALLEY THEATRE

Hedda Gabler opens Aug 31 and runs through Sept 16. Beowulf Theatre, 11 S. 6th Ave. 882-0555, BeowulfAlley.org

BLACK CHERRY BURLESQUE Tantalizing burlesque performance on Fri,

by Herb Stratford

Photo courtesy crystalstarkmusic.com

Above: Gabriel Mark Hasselbach performs on July 7 for Tucson Jazz Society's summer music series. Bottom: Crystal Stark performs on Sept 2 for Tucson Jazz Society’s summer music series.

Art The Tucson Museum of Art is one of several local museums participating in a new program entitled “Blue Star Museums” which offers active duty military personnel and their families free admission from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A collaborative effort by individual museums, the Defense Department and Blue Star Families along with the National Endowment for the Arts, this program will enable military families to experience art and culture without worrying about the cost. Other institutions in Southern Arizona that are participating include; Tohono Chul Park, The University of Arizona Museum of Art and Arizona State Museum on the UA campus, the Arizona History Museum, The Postal History Museum and the Fort Lowell Museum. Visit BlueStarFam.org/Programs/Blue_Star_Museums for more information.

Jazz The Tucson Jazz Society has two great concerts scheduled for the near future. First up are Jeff Lorber and Gabriel Mark Hasselbach on Saturday, July 7. Lorber, a revered keyboardist and composer, also has deep chops as a producer blending jazz, funk and R&B into new exciting sounds. Hasselbach, a chart-topping trumpet player, will be on hand to round out a great evening of music. Then, on Sunday, September 2, Tucson favorite Crystal Stark, on vocals, joins fan favorite sax player Jeff Kashiwa, from the well-regarded band, The Rippingtons. Both shows are scheduled to take place at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, located at 7000 N. Resort Rd. For tickets and more information visit TucsonJazz.org.

More Great Music The Invisible Theatre concludes its summer series, “Sizzling Summer Sounds” this in July at the Arizona Inn, and there are two chances left to catch a show. On July 5 and 7, award winning singer Amanda McBroom presents “Songs of the Silver Screen.” On July 6 and 8, acclaimed cabaret singer Steve Ross performs “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” a tribute to the work of Irving Berlin. Tickets are available at InvisibleTheatre.com or by calling 520-882-9721. n

July 6 & Fri, Aug 3 at 8pm and 10pm. Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. 882-0009, TucsonBurlesque.com

FOX THEATRE

Weird Al Yankovic—The Apocalypse Tour is Tue, Aug 7 at 7:30pm. See the music listings for concerts. Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. 6241515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org

THE GASLIGHT THEATRE Back to the Past, a spoof on Back to the Future, continues through August. Phantom of the Opera opens Thu, Aug 30. Concerts and performances include: Justin “Kredible” Willman on Mon, July 2 at 12pm & 7pm, Mariachi Extravaganza on Mon, July 9 at 7pm; Big Band Express on July 16, 7pm; Legends of Country on Mon, July 30 at 7pm; It’s Magic! on Mon, July 23 at 7pm; David Fanning My Life on Mon, Aug 6, 7pm; The Socials’ Essential Soul on Mon, Aug 13, 7pm; Triple Threat with Katherine Byrnes, Crystal Stark & Julie Anne Boos on Mon, Aug 20, 7pm. Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. 886-9428, TheGaslightTheatre.com

INVISIBLE THEATRE Sizzling Summer Sounds, a musical cabaret series at the Arizona Inn, continues with Amanda McBroom on Thu, July 5 and Sat, July 7 at 8pm; Steve Ross on Fri, July 6, 8pm & Sun, July 8 at 2pm. $35. Arizona Inn, 200 E. Elm St. 882-9721, InvisibleTheatre.com

LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP

Harvey, a story about an invisible friend, continues through July 14. Mauritius runs July 19-Aug 18. Collected Stories begins Thu, Aug 23. All Together Theatre presents: Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland through Sun, Aug 12. Mother Goose Unplucked! opens Sun, Aug 26. Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. 327-4242, LiveTheatreWorkshop.org

NOT BURNT OUT JUST UNSCREWED

The improv comedy troupe performs Fri, July 6 & Aug 3, 7:30 pm at Revolutionary Grounds Coffee House, 606 N. 4th Ave., for audiences of all ages. Additional performances on Fri, July 25, 7pm at Rock N Java Café, 7555 W. Twin Peaks Rd. & Sat, July 28, 7:30pm, at Colors, 5305 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. 861-2986, UnscrewedComedy.com

ODYSSEY STORYTELLING SERIES

The Customer is Always Right is Thu, July 5, 7pm. Happy Campers: The Great Outdoors happens Thu, Aug 2, 7pm. Fluxx Studio and Gallery, 416 E. 9th St. 730-4112, OdysseyStorytelling.org

SOUTHERN ARIZONA WOMENS CHORUS

Free concert to benefit ICS Food Bank on Fri, July 27. Please bring canned or packaged food, or a cash donation to benefit the Interfaith Community Services. 7pm. Ascension Lutheran Church, 1220 W. Magee Rd. 404-3148, SouthernArizonaWomensChorus.org

TUCSON CONVENTION CENTER

WWE Supershow on Sat, July 14, 7:30pm-10:30pm. Tickets vary. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. TucsonConventionCenter.org

TUCSON JAZZ SOCIETY Jeff Lorber and Gabriel Mark Hasselbach perform Sat, July 7, 7:30pm. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Rd. 903-1265, TucsonJazz.org

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 31

food&drink

A Happy Hour Hit Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails by Kelly Lewis Janos Wilder’s Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails is known for producing innovative cuisine, but Joe Cesar, one of their lead bartenders, has likewise been recognized for creativity in cocktailing. In 2008, Cesar was selected by a brand ambassador for Grand Marnier as one of the top 100 bartenders in the country. “I’ve worked in nightclubs, in hotels, in restaurants, you name it,” Cesar said. “But that was kind of my crowning moment. I got to be with the top mixologists in the country, the top sommeliers, the top bartenders, and I saw how the industry is changing.” Cesar has over 30 years of bartending experience throughout Arizona and California, but his career started right here in downtown Tucson, back in 1979, at Bananas Disco at the Ramada Inn. After a few more bartending gigs and a University of Arizona degree, Cesar moved to California for a bit, where he worked in the film industry and bartended in nightclubs. When Wilder opened up Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails in October of 2010, Cesar saw it as a great opportunity to start working downtown again, and was hired on to help launch the bar. “We really worked at finding a symbiosis within the bar, by pairing drinks with what helps to bring out the flavors of the food,” said Wilder. “That was really important to us when we began working on our signature drink menu.” Some of their best selling items include the “Parisian Summer” with Tanqueray, fresh lemon, St. Germaine, homemade hibiscus syrup, Peychaud’s bitters and tonic, and the South Six, (listed below). “90 percent of what I make in any shift are signature cocktails,” Cesar said. “We really bring it all together with the food and the cocktails.” With an awesome happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. and a diverse crowd of regulars, Cesar said he’s happy to be working at Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails. Especially since, well, its downtown. “I started out downtown, and I love being back downtown again,” Cesar said. “I think some of the best bartenders are downtown, and the customers who seem to have a better grip on what’s going on in the cocktail industry are also downtown.” On Trends in Mixology: “As an industry, I think we’re becoming more creative. We’re using fresh ingredients, and really, anything goes. There are no bad ideas and anything you can dream up can become a cocktail. At this bar, we’re fat washing bourbon with bacon, we’re using ingredients like cardamom and hibiscus. There are no bad ideas. There are bad cocktails, but there are no bad ideas.” Favorite Ingredients: “Liquor-wise, I love using gin because of all of the botanicals in it. Vodkas are virtually tasteless and although it’s really popular, it’s not my preferred liquor. Gin is just so diverse. It has so many botanicals in it, and gins vary, from Tanqueray No. 10 which has citrus notes in it, to Hendrick’s, which has elements of rose. I just think gin makes a great base.”

South Six 2 oz. Hendrick’s Gin ½ oz. St. Germain ½ oz. Lemon juice ½ oz. Cardamom syrup 2 large basil leaves 2 slices cucumber Homemade Ginger Beer Muddle the basil and cucumber in a shaker. Add fresh lemon juice, cardamom syrup, gin and St. Germain. Shake vigorously. Pour over ice in a bucket glass and add a splash of ginger beer on the top. For more information, visit DowntownKitchen.com.

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Solar Cookies by Jamie Manser The mesquite pods are falling! If you want to utilize this versatile desert pod, get ‘em before they drop to the ground. Desert Harvesters has milling events in November, post monsoon season, to allow the pods to dry out. Check out DesertHarvesters.org/ calendar for dates. Also visit the website for more information on harvesting and storing pods. The recipe here is an amended version of Garth and Suzanne Mackzum’s kukukadoo solar cookies found in Desert Harvester’s “Eat Mesquite” cookbook. Set up solar oven in the morning, at least a few hours before using. Put a red brick in it.

Ingredients 1/3 cup butter (we used the vegan version Earth Balance) ¼ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla ¾ cup mesquite flour ¾ cup while wheat flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ cup cocoa 1 cup oats ½ cup water Whatever other cookie goodness strikes your fancy Mix the butter, sugar, vanilla in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another. Marry, and add the water. If it needs a drier consistency, conservatively add in more oats until appropriately doughy. Put on a cookie sheet; put the cookie sheet on the red brick in the solar oven. Our first batch cooked nicely from noon to 1:15 p.m., hitting about 225 degrees. The second batch was overcooked, left to bake while on a lunch date, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. So, we recommend sticking around to test them as they cook or at least not leaving them for over an hour. Times and temperatures will vary, but it’s all in the spirit of experimental fun! n

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 33

garden

photo: Amanda Reed

Notes From A Plant freak Is Gardening At Home Worth The Trouble? by Jared R. McKinley

Let’s be honest here. Organic gardening in an arid climate like Tucson is not the easiest or cheapest endeavor. When you have started a new garden you may tally up the costs over the course of the first year and ask yourself, “Is this worth it?” Even in an established garden, you can probably add up all the costs of the operation (water, organic plant food, mulch, paving stones, and the effort it took to grow those vegetables and fruits) and realize that the costs per vegetable are quite a bit higher than if you were to go to the grocery store and purchase your food. Why, then, do we bother? Here are some consoling thoughts to help you keep on keeping on through the brutal heat. 1. When you grow your own food, you know EXACTLY what went into that food. Putting it in your mouth, you are going to be certain that nobody lied to you about what went into its production. 2. In the grocery store, fruit and vegetable species are limited. When you grow your own, suddenly there are countless varieties to try. And these varieties don’t just spice up your life with diversity. They also have purpose--some cook better, others store better, some may be great for canning...variety is the spice of life. But it also has function. 3. Homegrown organic vegetables and fruits are generally richer in nutrients than even commercially grown organic foods. This is because one can manage a small garden plot better than commercial operations can on their huge plots of land. You can keep enriching your soil, plant soil enriching crops like beans, and you are not mass producing. 4. Consider that, as a whole, Americans have become extremely reliant on a one-sided economy for everything. We have become consumers to such a degree that many people would not survive without the system in place. Becoming a producer, therefore, is a very healthy endeavor. 5. When you grow, you become more intimate with your food and therefore more knowledgeable. Gardening starts to turn a person

34 THEZMAG.com | July/August 2012

into a “foodie.” Your tastes become discriminating. This makes you more capable to select the best produce even if you are just purchasing it. 6. You will never understand why the grocery store can get away with charging $4 for a small snippet of basil, which grows like a weed. And you won’t understand how they get away with passing off what they sell in the produce section as a “tomato” when you have been growing and eating your own. 7. Gardens are pretty. Rather than having a weedy plot, or even some mundane landscape plant like a lantana pretending to be pretty in your yard, you can have squash vines scrambling around, sunflowers towering overhead, and the scent of basil wafting about. 8. Gardening may just save us from the factory model of food production. If people are growing their own food, becoming more knowledgeable, they are likely to shop at farmer’s markets and other venues of quality. Consumers will reject the very poor quality, and unhealthy products that is passed off as food. The economy will shift toward the demand and as consumers we will, once again, guide the economy. 9. These days we are becoming more and more separated from nature. Gardening demands our presence and pulls us back to reality - the reality of dirt, water, sun and biology. It’s the best remedy for having spent too much time on a computer (something I think a lot of us can relate to). So if you woke up this morning, went into the garden only to find your tomato devoured by tomato horn worm, or you opened your back door only to be smacked by a very unforgiving blast of heat, keep all this in mind and let it fuel your desire to spend that time out there, watering, watching things grow. And don’t forget that the summer, especially the monsoon season, is one of the most fascinating times to be outside. The garden and landscape is teaming with biology this time of year. n Jared R. McKinley is a local gardener and plant fanatic. You can find more of his writing on his blog, PlantFreak.wordpress.com.

Community

Dive Into Summer by Phoenix Michael Overheated Tucsonans rejoice; the splash is back! After two scorching years of pool closures brought on by the Parks and Recreation Department’s funding losses, private-public partnerships have come to the rescue. Thanks to the department’s innovative “Bring Back the Splash” campaign, sponsorship dollars came in from individual donors and philanthropic partners such as Catalina Rotary Club, Jim Click Automotive Group, Nova Home Loans, Royal Automotive Group, Watson Chevrolet, and Pima Medical Institute, six dry pools recently reopened for the 2012 summer season through August 1. Dehydrated desert denizens reacted with understandable delight! Read on to get in on the action, and BYOT (bring your own towel). Each pool is located at a park and is popular among its own devoted (and all the more eager to jump in this year, presumably) group of neighborhood regulars. The savvy summer swimmer can choose between a quiet lap pool and a wild, kid-filled free-for-all. Jacobs Pool, tucked within Jacobs Park at 1020 W. Lind St., leans toward the latter and why shouldn’t it? A community get-together, held June 1 in celebration of the pool’s reopening, drew smiling children and pleased parents in droves. Jacobs Pool may be reached at 791-4358. Menlo Pool, with its water slide at 1100 W. Fresno St., is another favorite for young people. In fact, this is where generations of area residents grew up. Now the tradition can continue. Westside kids on summer vacation can flock here to cool off with their friends and neighbors. Call Menlo Pool at 791-4356. Unlike Jacobs or Menlo, Himmel Pool at 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. offers dedicated adult lap times. A peaceful atmosphere attracts exercise afi-

cionados and swim team students, while the Himmel Park Branch of the Pima County Public Library is found just around the corner at 1035 N. Treat Ave. Himmel Pool’s number is 791-4157. Purple Heart Pool, 10050 E. Rita Rd., also provides adult lap hours for the fitness-minded. The surrounding Purple Heart Park at Rita Ranch features an off-leash dog area and skateboarding ramps as well. Check in at 791-5058. Meanwhile Palo Verde Pool, 300 S. Mann Ave. is, believe it or not, actually three pools in one with 1- and 3-meter diving boards, a shade structure and a 1.5-foot deep wading pool. Give them a ring at 791-4375. Mansfield Pool, 2000 N. 4th Ave., is another three-pool facility with diving and wading pools, a slide and a shaded area. Folks of all ages are known to enjoy this swimming complex and its Frisbee-friendly adjacent park which, for Fourth Avenue hipsters seeking to cool off, is just a short jaunt north. More details are available by calling 791-4405. The above pools are open Tuesday-Saturday through August 1 (with the exception of the Wednesday, July 4 holiday). After that time, extendedyear pools Clements, Edith Ball Adaptive, Archer, El Pueblo, Ft. Lowell, Catalina, Quincie Douglas, Amphi, Sunnyside, and Udall will remain open. Check out CMS3.TucsonAZ.Gov/ParksAndRec/Aquatics.php for admission prices plus hours and locations of each. American Red Cross swimming lessons for children 6 months-17 years will take place at city pools July 16-27. Register through EZEEreg at 573EZEE, or join walk-in registration during all pools’ recreation and family swim times from July 12 through 15. Goggles optional! n

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 35

Community

Nine digits by Jamie Manser Edgar is like any new high school graduate, an 18-year-old looking foras he is an undocumented resident. Like hundreds of thousands of other ward to starting college in the fall with a good friend who will be his roomie. young people, Edgar was brought to the United States, “illegally,” as a His favorite subject is math, he is passionate about music (“music got me child. everywhere”), loves gardening and contributing to his community through “I was about 7-years-old; I believe it was in 2001. We moved here from volunteer work. Nogales, Sonora. My dad moved over here (before us) with one of his famEdgar is a driven young man, hard-working, intelligent and determined ily members, he’s been here from 1999, working here. He asked my mom to be successful in life. He is a shining example of the mission of the to bring us over here, he said, ‘Bring them over here so they can have a GEAR UP Project, a U.S. Department of Education program that served good education, and learn English.’ And, my mom agreed. And we didn’t low-income students who began 6th grade in 2005 and were know anything. My mom just told us, ‘We’re going on vacation.’ It slated for a 2012 graduation. The federally-funded, was after I got out of 2nd grade and we headed over competitive national program, which provided here to Tucson. We brought a bunch of clothover $9 million locally to Tucson Unified ing, and I asked my mom, ‘Why all of this and Sunnyside School Districts over the clothing if we are only going to stay a six years, was administered here couple of weeks?’ And then she told by the University of Arizona and us, ‘We’re going to go live with your Pima Community College. The dad.’ Me and my two sisters, we funds were matched locally were super excited. At the moment through cash and in-kind I was 7, my older sister was 11 or services. 12 and my little sister wasn’t even GEAR UP is the aca year old, just months old. We came ronym for Gaining Early here and fell in love with Tucson.” Awareness and ReadiAs anyone who has been the “new ness for Undergradukid” knows, it isn’t easy. Try putting a ate Programs; it was language barrier on top of that. Edgar designed, according to remembers wanting to learn English, its website, “to increase attempting to make friends, and the number of low-income meeting resistance. students who are prepared “I thought it was going to be to enter and succeed in so fun, but seeing new faces postsecondary education.” staring at me and just talkEdgar remembers the day when ing in English, just gave me representatives came to his class to talk a non-motivation of staying about the program. there and learning English. “They told all of the students there They weren’t encouraging was this project that they created, me to stay there; they just called the GEAR UP Project in stared at me like, ‘who’s which all of the 6th graders back this mysterious kid from out then through TUSD schools were of nowhere?’. My teacher Edgar loves performing and playing music. so called GEAR UP students and would sometimes speak to me that they were going to get the privilege of having all these projects, one in Spanish, but I think she came to dislike me. She would tell one of the of them was the ‘Math through Mariachi’ program. I thought, ‘Music, I’ve students in English for that student to translate it to me in Spanish, even been wanting to do music for a good while,’ so I chose the mariachi prothough she knew Spanish.” gram for the summer. Since then, they’ve been following us through high Amid the adversity, Edgar gathered the power within himself to keep school until graduation, so that project helped us develop our knowledge moving forward academically. “I would say it took me about three months for college and helped throughout high school in the ways of what to do in to be able to get the English going on and have a conversation with someorder to get to college and have a good career and education.” one. Pretty much what motivated me was my 3rd grade teacher, although It clicked for Edgar. He found himself excelling in math, while stoking she disliked me, she gave me the strength to just keep learning, to see if his love of music. He explains that the instructors taught “us how math I could manage to speak that new language. I wanted to prove to her, no works with music notes and music theory. Basically, counting the notes, matter what, I will learn English, I will achieve my goal of success, even notes equal this, the time measuring.” though that she believed I wouldn’t be able to manage the English lanThe funds for the program were also slated to provide college scholarguage.” ships for the participants. Edgar, however, does not qualify for those funds Continue reading this article online at www.theZmag.com

36 THEZMAG.com | July/August 2012

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 37

Fashion

Bright Done Right By Yekatherina Bruner As the sun gets brighter, so does fashion - bright colors are in! We are seeing them on the runways, in stores and in magazines; now we are seeing them on Tucson’s streets. The black, white and muted clothing colors on the vintage murals of Downtown’s Broadway Boulevard are a thing of the past. Akiko Senda, owner of Tres Boutique, the latest addition to the 4th Avenue vibrant fashion scene at 210 N. 4th Ave., agrees: “When we first opened our shop in 2011 we focused our color palette on neutrals: black, beige, taupe… but this season it’s all about bold and bright hues. Color is definitely the way to spruce up any wardrobe from bright accessories to headto-toe color blocking.” Bright colors are not for the faint of heart and the possibilities are endless. If you are daring enough to rock the latest trend, here are a few tips for how to do it in style: • Examine the color wheel. Each half is a family of either warm tones (red, yellow, orange and pink) or cool tones (blue, teal and green). Jeans and tops now come in every possible color. Have fun by mixing and matching any color in the same family for an effortless look. • For a much bolder look, pair the color you’d like to use with its perfect opposite on the color wheel. Yellow and purple or teal and brick red and violà…bright done right! • A monochromatic look in a combination of different shades of the same color usually goes well together. Pair a summery light colored dress with its most intense shade for shoes and your look will go a long way. • For a more conventional or office appropriate look, spice those “same old” neutrals with a bright colored bag or multicolored shoes to make a statement. And don’t forget about jewelry and even nail polish, they are the perfect complement to your bold wardrobe.

Yekatherina Bruner is a local fashion stylist and founder of Tucson Fashion Group. Visit her website at YKStudioOnline.com

Credits: Photos by Liora K. Photography. Styled by Yekatherina Bruner. Hair and makeup by Danielle Gary and Starla Cocio. Models: Jessaca Marie Haag, Christin Gilmer, Emily Glynn, Sarah Ward, Cory M. Kuehn

Fashion

Old Hollywood Awaits by Sydney Ballesteros The glamour that once was is actually still right under our noses. When you are within the private walls of the Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St., you feel like you stepped into the screen of a Technicolor film. It’s complete with lush gardens, charming vintage patio furniture, bright sunshine, sophistication, and that quiet peace that only the desert can provide. The resurface of flattering vintage bathing suit styles from the 1950s in modern fashion, not only makes my grandmother proud, but apparently designers like Miuccia Prada and Dolce & Gabbana have the soft spot for the look too - as we saw homage to the timeless suit, strut down the spring 2012 runways and in editorials over and over again. For the aesthetic of a summer style shared with the Arizona Inn, we had to take the bathing suits back to the demure hint of flirt, back to the gracious era that once was, bathing caps and all. There is an inner bathing beauty in all of us, so find her (and her bathing suit) and make a date poolside at the Inn. Order a refreshing summer cocktail and tell them I sent you! You will feel like a starlet in her own motion picture and in her own little corner of happiness! Who says that you can’t play croquet in your bathing suit?

Credits - Photography: fotovitamina. Creative Director & Fashion Stylist: Sydney Ballesteros. Producer: Demion Clinco, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. Makeup: Tangie Duffey. Models: Aimee C., Ana Victoria Contreras and Ben Ryan. Wardrobe: Black Cat Vintage, Desert Vintage. Location: Arizona Inn *These photographs are part of a 2013 twelve month calendar series that was documented for the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. The calendar will display the art of mixing historic Tucson landmarks and buildings with locally sourced vintage fashion and will be available for sale in the early fall of 2012.

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Collin Shook Trio Derivatives

Collin Shook

Tunes

by Jared R. McKinley

Jazz musicians are still writing original acoustic jazz tunes; not just composers in New York City, but here in Tucson. The Collin Shook Trio has just released an entirely originally composed album, “Derivatives,” which can be both previewed and purchased at CollinShook.Bandcamp.com/album/derivatives. The tracks lead the listener to believe that Collin Shook is of an older musical generation, seasoned with decades of experience. In fact, he is 23-yearsold. Shook’s talent, passion and knowledge of music belie his young years. Zócalo: Explain the title of the album. Shook: The title “Derivatives” came from the third track on the album. The name first came from us brainstorming on ideas connected with Wall Street, ‘cause we just came up with the #Occupy Suite. It also fit musically, because the song is derived from two places; the ballad at the beginning was derived from a popular jazz tune called “All The Things You Are,” but we played around with the chords. The second section was derived from a tune called “Peaceful Warrior,” by one of my favorite pianists, Aaron Parks. As far as using it as the title for the album, well, it means a lot more. Jazz is an art form of synthesis and vocabulary. We jazz musicians go around listening to other players and solos, styles, tempos, feels, the groove, all that stuff and synthesize it into our own sound and voice. In other words, we are deriving our sound from all the things that have come before, and trying to create something new. What are some of your jazz influences? Do you listen to avant-garde as well as hard bop and some of the more obvious influences in your music? I’d say my first influence was Charlie Parker. I had a double disc CD of his greatest hits coming out of high school. When I moved from Dallas to Austin, I had a piano and played along to that record for hours a day. Then, I guess over time, I realized there actually were other jazz musicians and other records. Nowadays, I guess you could say that I listen to a bit of avant-jazz, you know, Alice Coltrane and Eric Dolphy come to mind, and of course, John Zorn. But I mainly listened to the hard bop cats... Joe Henderson, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Kenny Barron. My heaviest inspiration at this point is the pianist Brad Mehldau. I went through a period of listening to him daily, for hours, and trying to emulate something from his voice, but still, his stuff is an enigma to my brain. When I hear your album, I definitely hear an early 80s, late 70s ECM influence (the jazz label). Is this an influence? I guess you could say that. I feel like we have some of that sound. Piano intros, a loose, open feel for many sections.... Yea you could say there’s in-

fluence from that area. Keith Jarrett, Steve Kuhn, Chick Corea... I love those guys. ECM definitely had a freer approach to what they put out, and we have that same feeling. Music is, and should be, a free thing. What are some of your classical composer influences? The heavies... Chopin, Debussy, Gershwin, Schuman, Liszt, etcetera. I haven’t really gotten back into classical in a while. My Mom is a classical piano teacher, and after forcing classical on us since birth, my brother and I, we went on strike when I was 11 and he was 13. Ever since, I guess I’ve had this stigma with actually playing classical pieces and working on it. I love listening to it, and I’m sure something comes through osmosis.... and now my brother DJ’s under the name “Shooknite.” Do you have any shows coming up? Yes. I’m going to LA in July and maybe going back for a week in August, then to the East coast the last week of August, and from there to Texas midSeptember. We’re working out some shows between those trips, but for now we’re playing (in Tucson at) 2nd Saturdays Downtown on July 14 and at Sky Bar (536 N. 4th Ave.) on July 28th. I love that your music is entirely composed music for “Derivatives,” something rarer in jazz, particularly with bands outside of NYC. Can you talk about your writing process and can we expect more original tunes ahead? Well, we had a few of the songs before the concept for the album came up. I think that all music is connected, and to have a concept for entire trip across the tracks of the album is important. In writing the “Occupy Suite,” we had a theme that kept coming up: the prelude introduces this repetitive, stirring progression. Then it falls down to this low point in “Movement One,” what we think of as a calm before the storm that is “Movement Two,” a chaotic roller coaster. We’ve had quite a few songs that we’ve played out and jammed on, but these songs were definitely picked out and planned before the session. I already have an idea for our next project, maybe in the fall or spring. Something like “In Film,” with tunes I’m starting to compose. Some titles like “Clint’s Flints”... homage to the many desert whistles and background tracks for Clint Eastwood, “Oceanography,” some kind of bluesy jam inspired by “Ocean’s Eleven.” Also, “Fibonacci Spiral,” loosely based on stuff from “PI.” I think that would be a fun project to flesh out. Writing songs, coming up with weird names, that kind of stuff. Definitely many shows and records to come, I hope. This is the first. n

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 41

Willie Nelson & Family perform at the Fox Tucson Theatre Wed, July 11.

Photo courtesy of GreenNobles.com

tunes

Photo courtesy of StreetTalkin.com

Lyle Lovett performs at the Fox Tucson Theatre on Sun, July 1.

LIVE MUSIC 2ND SATURDAYS Scott Ave @ Congress St, 2ndSaturdays.com Sat July14: Funky Bonz, Roll Acosta, Collin Shook Trio, Ballet Folklorico La Paloma Aug: Sat 11: The Vexmen, Tesoro, Annon & The Late Show

AVA AMPHITHEATER at Casino Del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Rd. 1-855-7657829, CasinoDelSol.com July Wed 11: Chicago, The Doobie Brothers Sun 15: Joe Cocker, Huey Lewis and The News Fri 20: Skid Row, Warrant, LA Guns Tue 31: Earth, Wind & Fire August Fri 3: Seal, Macy Gray Sat 4: Los Tigres Del Norte, Banda el Recodo Sun 5: Pitbull Sun 12: Duran Duran

BOONDOCKS LOUNGE 3306 N. 1st Ave. 690-0991, BoondocksLounge.com Mondays: The Bryan Dean Trio Thursdays in July: Titan Valley Warheads Fridays: Neon Prophet

July Sun 1: Titan Valley Warheads Sat 7: Tony and The Torpedoes August Sat 4: Tony and The Torpedoes Sun 19: Last Call Girls Fri 31: Anna Warr & Giant Blue

August Sat 11: David Sanborn and Brian Culbertson Wed 15: Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra Sat 24: Patrizio Buanne

CLUB CONGRESS

305 N. 4th Ave. 623-3200, HutTucson.com July Wed 4: Sol Tribe Fri 6: Fayuca, Grite-Leon Sat 7: The Amosphere Fri 13: Fortunate Youth, Brewfish Sat 21: Sono Vero Sat 28: Spartacus, Kommonmeasure August Thu 2: Don’t Call It A Comeback Sat 4: The Amosphere Fri 10: Continental Sat 18: Jasondevore of Authority Zero

311 E. Congress St. 622-8848, HotelCongress.com/club July Fri 6: Rob Delaney (comedy) Sat 7: Bikini Island Party Fri 13: Bob Schneider Sun 15: Stephane Wrembel Thu 19: Harry and The Potters Fri 20: Chronicles Sat 21: Show You Suck Fri 27: oOoOO, YUS Sun 29: The Coathangers, Jaill, Lenguas Largas August Wed 1: Diego’s Umbrella Tue 7: Drive Tour: College, Anoraak, and Electric Youth Sat 11: Jay Brannan Tue 14: Shonen Knife Wed 15: Super Happy Funtime Wed 22: Grieves & Budo

FOX TUCSON THEATRE 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org July Sun 1: Lyle Lovett Wed 11: Willie Nelson & Family Wed 18: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

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THE HUT

LA COCINA @ OLD TOWN ARTISANS 201 N. Court Ave. 623-6024, LaCocinaTucson.com Wednesdays: Jazz with Elephant Head Thursdays: Stefan George Fridays: Greg Morton Saturdays: DJ Herm July Fri 6: Technicolor Hearts Sat 7: Copper and Congress Sat 14: Holmes – Levinson Duo Thu 19: Katie Elevitch, Still Life Telescope

PLUSH 340 E. 6th St. 798-1298, PlushTucson.com July Sun 1: The Einweck Brothers Thu 5: Courtney Robbins Fri 6: King Tuff, The Electric Blankets, The Resonars Sat 7: Al Foul, Tom Walkbank & The Ambassadors, Hank Topless Sun 8: Coins of Catalina Tue 10: My Jerusalem Thu 12: Wayward Saints Sun 15: Tommy Tucker Mon 16: Stefan George Wed 18: Kyle Bronsdon Thu 19: The Dan Dan Noodles Fri 20: Copper & Congress, Ferrodyne, The Tangelos Sat 21: Blind Divine, Stareater, Sleep Driver Mon 23: Colin Sams and his Fortress of Solid Dudes Tue 24: Mason Reed Wed 25: Nowhere Man & Whiskey Girl, Courtney Marie Andrews Tue 31: Judith and Holofernes August Wed 1: The Swerves Sat 4: Jel Wed 8: The Vexmen

RIALTO THEATRE 318 E. Congress St. 740-1000, RialtoTheatre.com July Wed 4: Twista Fri 13: Kid Ink Wed 18: Pat Benatar & Neil

Photo courtesy of Hotel Congress.

Tunes

Buckethead performs at the Rialto Theatre on Fri, Aug 10.

KXCI’s 5

Tucson’s community radio station, at 91.3FM and KXCI.org, spins tracks from the following new albums this summer.

Photo courtesy of Clclt.com

Stephane Wrembel performs at Hotel Congress on Sun, July 15.

Giraldo Sat 21: Reverend Horton Heat Sun 22: Scream It Like You Mean It (Night 1) Mon 23: Scream It Like You Mean It (Night 2) Tue 24: Melvin Seals & The JGB Thu 26: Kaskade – Freaks of Nature Tour August Fri 3: Big K.R.I.T Tue 7: Coheed and Cambria Fri 10: Buckethead Sat 11: Suzanne Westenhoefer Mon 13: Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz Thu 16: David Allan Coe Sun 19: Brandi Carlile

Fri 20: Fanny’s Foxes Sat 21: The Lowmen, Sons of Providence Tue 24: City of Vain, Hooligan, Bricktop Fri 27: Church of Rock Revelations Sat 28: Fineline Revisited August Sat 4: Club Sanctuary Tue 7: Art Phag Fri 10: Tucson Roller Derby Fri 17: Michael P, Gila Bend Sat 18: Club Sanctuary Fri 24: Church of Rock Revelations Sat 25: Fineline Revisited

SKY BAR

288 N. Church Ave. LonelyStreet. showclix.com July Fri 13: Classic Country Jukebox Robert Shaw and Kaci Bays August Sun 19: Remember the King Robert Shaw and The Lonely Street Band

536 N. 4th Ave. 622-4300, SkyBarTucson.com Mondays: Team Trivia Tuesdays: Jazz Wednesdays: Open Mic Thursdays: Live Music

SURLY WENCH PUB 424 N. 4th Ave., 882-0009, SurlyWenchPub.com Mondays: Black Mondays with Matt McCoy and weekly guests Thursdays: Jump-Jive Thursday with DJ Ribz July Fri 6: Black Cherry Burlesque Sat 7: Last Call Brawlers, Bob Spasm Unplugged, Hopheads Fri 13: Anakim, Territory Sat 14: Fineline Revisited

Z MANSION

OTHER LIVE MUSIC VENUES BLUEFIN 7053 N. Oracle Rd. 531-8500, BluefinTucson.com

CASA VICENTE 375 S. Stone Ave. 884-5253, CasaVicente.com

CHE’S LOUNGE

Keller Williams with The Travelin McCourys “Pick” (Sci-Fidelity) The famed multi-instrumentalist known for his unconventional songwriting teams up with a traditional bluegrass family band to produce a sound stronger than the sum of its parts. ChesLounge.com

CUSHING STREET BAR & RESTAURANT 198 W. Cushing St. 622-7984, CushingStreet.com

DELECTABLES RESTAURANT & CATERING 533 N. 4th Ave. 884-9289, Delectables.com

KINGFISHER 2564 E. Grant Rd. 323-7739, KingFisherTucson.com

MONTEREY COURT 505 W. Miracle Mile, MontereyCourtAZ.com

NIMBUS BREWERY 3850 E. 44th St. 745-9175, NimbusBeer.com

THE ROCK 136 N. Park Ave. 629-9211, RockTucson.com

SOLAR CULTURE 31 E. Toole Ave. 884-0874, SolarCulture.org

VAUDEVILLE 110 E. Congress St. 6223535, MySpace.com/ vaudevilledowntowntucson

Amy Macdonald “Life In A Beautiful Light” (Universal) We adored Amy’s 2008 release “This Is The Life” and her recent work with Ray Davies, so we anticipate more great tunes from this Scottish singer-songwriter.

Citizen Cope “One Lovely Day” (Rainwater/Red General) Citizen Cope (a.k.a. Clarence Greenwood) deftly mixes laidback hip hop with blues, folk and pop to craft a sound with mass appeal, yet with lyrics that suggest a more personal connection.

Matisyahu “Spark Seeker” (Thirty Tigers) The famous beard? Gone. The infectious hook-laden spiritual rap/ reggae tunes that stick in your head? Definitely still here on the new album that Matisyahu calls a rebirth in both his personal and musical life.

Missy Higgins “The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle” (Vagrant) One of Australia’s most popular singer-songwriters, Missy’s new CD continues her successful formula of mixing happy pop tunes with sad, heart-wrenching ballads.

350 N. 4th Ave. 623-2088,

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 43

tunes

Party Like Its 1999 by Randy Peterson, KXCI General Manager

1972

The year 1972 was a lot like the opening of Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities,” it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. The war in Vietnam rages on. Nixon visits China… but comes back. Watergate. McGovern is shocked into dropping his running mate. Tricky Dick visits the Soviet Union… but comes back, again. But on the “best of times” side, 1972 also saw the release of a lot of great music, including classics from the likes of Neil Young (Harvest), Curtis Mayfield (Superfly), The Rolling Stones (Exile on Main Street), Nick Drake (Pink Moon) and David Bowie (The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust). KXCI Community Radio 91.3FM will honor all this great music with the “KXCI Celebrates 1972” event on Saturday, August 25 at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. This all-ages concert, starting at 5 p.m., features

Roll Acosta

more than ten local musical acts covering great albums from 1972. The concert is a benefit for KXCI. Advance tickets are $15 for reserved balcony seats and $10 general admission; they will be available at KXCI, the Rialto and RialtoTheatre.com in mid-July. Details for the show are still coming together, but local musicians who have offered their time and talent include Roll Acosta, Nancy McCallion, Crosscut Saw, Boreas, Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl, and Run Boy Run. A complete lineup will be posted at KXCI.org. Among the artists expected to be covered include The Band, Johnny Nash, Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, Al Green, and The Rolling Stones. In addition to the music, KXCI and its partners will decorate the Rialto Theatre to help transport concert-goers back in time to 1972 so they can truly relive the year they remember, relive the year they can’t remember, or relive the year they’ve only read about. n

“The Dreamt Existence” Dropping its first full length of 10 passionate dazzling tracks, Roll Acosta continues its tradition of crafting gorgeous indie-pop tunes. Comprised of three adept musicians – Jacob Acosta (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Andre Gresieux (drums, electric piano), Kevin Frederick (violin, mandolin) – the band’s ability to write and play soulful songs that spiritually transport the listener to an ethereal plane is impressive. The emotional intensity of Acosta’s vocals, combined with the adroitly rendered music, is simultaneously uplifting and heart searing. There’s hope and despair that combine to sonically say – life is good even when it hurts – through the band’s aptitude in creating aural tension that builds up and is released sublimely and nimbly. “The Dreamt Existence” is a fantastic addition to their album collection, which also includes 4-track EPs “The Dark” (2011) and “The Dawn” (2010). In July, the Tucsonans are performing in Seattle, WA and locally on July 14 at 2nd Saturdays Downtown on the Scott Avenue stage and July 19 in a benefit show at The Hut, 305 N. 4th Ave. n Check them out online at RollAcosta.com and Facebook.com/rollacostamusic.

— Jamie Manser

Hans Hutchison “Heart Gone Astray” This album is a must have for lovers of the Tucson sound. What does that mean? Perhaps it’s the combination of Latin-influenced music, mixed with old-school country, peppered with wry observations on life, all dusted up, shimmering and dancing on the thorns of rolling tumbleweeds. Hutchison plays guitar deftly, sings from his heart and scribes songs that clearly cull from his studies in flamenco, mariachi, classical, blues and jazz guitar styles. The mix of instrumental tunes and vocal tracks create a cinematic Western vibe. It feels far and nigh concurrently; it is easy to get lost in the storylines that Hutchison sonorously paints. The compositions are truly wonderful. The multi-instrumentalist/singer is flanked by a fantastic cast of musicians on the 10-track album: Ben DeGain, Naim Amor, Thoger Lund, Vicki Brown, Laura Kepner-Adney, Adeena Baer, Juan Panky and Fernando Vacas. It was recorded at several local studios and mastered by Jim Blackwood. n The CD release party is at Café Passe, 415 N. 4th Ave., on July 14, 7 p.m. Other dates: Tucson’s Community Supported Agriculture pick up spot, 300 E. University Blvd., July 10 and 18; Frog & Firkin, 874 E. University Blvd., July 13. Details at HansHutchison.com. —Jamie Manser

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July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 45

Escape

Elevate Adventure Explore Flagstaff’s peaks and valleys with boots, bikes & climbing shoes by Emily Gindlesparger

Photo by Emily Gindlesparger

Paradise Forks at the upper end of Sycamore Canyon. Photo by Emily Gindlesparger

On a road trip up to Flagstaff, you can watch the botany change with the elevation. Somewhere north of Phoenix, saguaros and Palo Verde trees give way to stunted oaks and acacia, followed by juniper and ponderosa pine as the road climbs up the orderly basalt columns of the Mogollon Rim. Close to Flagstaff, you can camp for free on Mount Elden and wake up to the sun lighting up the high meadows across the San Francisco Peaks. Drive down into town for Macy’s biscuits and vegan gravy that somehow doesn’t taste vegan, and still get in a full day of climbing on the cracked orange and black face of the Oak Creek Overlook before dinner time and a pint at Beaver Street Brewery. Sleep and repeat, or mix up the endless combinations of mountain biking, hiking, gallery viewing and music listening in the temperate Northern Arizona summer for the perfectly accessible road trip just five to six hours from Tucson. Perhaps the most classic Flagstaff adventure is the highest summit in the state, Humphreys Peak. This strenuous hike has challenges beyond the steep terrain: altitude sickness and storms strike quickly on the mountain, and hikers should turn around at the first signs of dizziness or bad weather. But a successful summit rewards the grueling effort with a 360-degree view atop the roof of Arizona. Nearby Sycamore Canyon offers one of the most diverse destinations, with forested basalt-lined cutouts of the Mogollon Rim. One of Arizona’s premier climbing areas is here - Paradise Forks is a haven of splitter cracks, smooth-sided fractures running down the face of the rocks. The Sycamore Rim trail gives hikers a view of this crag, nearby falls, and manifold sights down canyon. A non-technical canyoneering route traverses the canyon floor, from the close, water-carved walls of the upper reaches to a series of springs below. As if more reasons were needed to visit, Flagstaff is home to a vast network of mountain biking trails, with a 33-mile urban system linking single track that branches in every direction out of town. A lava tube 12 miles outside Flagstaff beckons for a non-technical caving exploration. A hike of less than a mile into Walnut Canyon brings Sinagua cliff dweller ruins into view. And in summer evenings, there is music. With the first Saturday of each month comes a concert at The Arboretum, bringing Spanish guitar, bluegrass, and world music to the 200-acre pine forest against the backdrop of the San Francisco Peaks. What could be better than ending an adventure-filled day with music at sunset? For directions and the events schedule, visit TheArb.org. In-depth details on Flagstaff’s other adventures are online at FlagstaffArizona.org and Flagstaff.az.gov. Flagstaff is also hosting a music series this summer at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park – visit PepsiAmp.com for the schedule.

Making Your Escape

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Take I-10 to Phoenix, then switch to I-17 in Phoenix and head north. This road takes you all the way to Flagstaff, but the much more scenic route is to skip onto Highway 179 and continue north on 89A at the “Y” junction in Sedona. This route winds along Oak Creek, by plenty of pay camping, and then ascends the Mogollon Rim up to Flagstaff. The adventures listed here all have different launching points from Flagstaff proper, but the resources are readily available in the books below, all locally available at Summit Hut. • To hike Humphreys, explore the lava tube, or examine the Sinagua ruins, get Cosmic Ray’s “50 Favorite Hikes: Flagstaff & Sedona.” Ray has also published the excellent “Arizona Mountain Bike Guide,” which covers single track across the state. • Descend to the bottom of Sycamore Canyon with “Canyoneering Arizona” by Tyler Williams, or stay dry on the rim with “Flagstaff Hikes” by Richard and Sherry Magnum. • For climbing, check out “A Cheaper Way to Fly,” a paperback guide by Tim Toula that covers Oak Creek Overlook, Paradise Forks, and other Flagstaff-area crags. n

lifeinTucson by Andrew Brown

Left to right, top to bottom: Joe Pagac and Dino Chilton painting at the Rialto; Flinching Eye Collective at MOCA; Nature and Clay Steele spinning at Playground; Jericho Davidson performing stand-up comedy at Mr. Heads; (bottom two) Yacht Rock Party at La Cocina.

July/August 2012 | THEZMAG.com 47