Z贸calo Tucson arts and culture / ZOCALOMAGAZINE.COM / OCTOBER 2013 / no. 45
index October 2013 07. Community 08. Events 25. Arts 36. Locally Owned 41. Food & Drink 47. Fashion 51. Film 52. Tunes 55. Life In Tucson on the cover:
“The Room” every Thursday in October at Hotel Congress. See page 8 for more information. Photo by Andrew Brown.
Zócalo Magazine is a hyper-local independent media organization, focusing on Tucson’s arts and culture.
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Olsen EDITOR Jamie Manser CONTRIBUTORS Sydney Ballesteros, Marisa Bernal, Andrew Brown, Yekatherina Bruner, Jon D’Auria, Emily Gindlesparger, Jamie Manser, Phoenix Michael, misterpaulfisher, Rebecca Naylor-Sanchez, Jade Nunes, Miguel Ortega, Dan Rylander, CJ Shane, Ed Sipos, Herb Stratford, Monica Surfaro Spigelman. LISTINGS Marisa Bernal, listings@zocalotucson.com PRODUCTION ARTISTS Troy Martin, David Olsen CONTACT US:
frontdesk@zocalotucson.com P.O. Box 1171, Tucson, AZ 85702-1171 520.955.ZMAG (9624)
Zocalo Magazine is printed in Tucson at Sundance Press. Subscribe to Zocalo at www.zocalomagazine.com/subscriptions. Zocalo is available free of charge in Tucson, limited to one copy per reader. Zocalo may only be distributed by the magazine’s authorized independent contractors. No person may, without prior written permission of the publisher, take more than one copy of each issue. The entire contents of Zocalo Magazine are copyright © 2009-2013 by Media Zoócalo, LLC. Reproduction of any material in this or any other issue is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Zocalo is published 11 times per year.
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 3
Z from the editor
4 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
Watching “Asia This Week” on PBS at the end of September had the usual depressing news - disparate distributions of wealth, environmental degradations, death, destruction, ad nauseum. Mute. But then the screen showed colorful celebrations of people dancing and singing, so I turned the sound back on and learned about the Korea-Japan Festival, a cultural exchange event between two nations that aren’t always on great terms. Watching the performances and laughter at the Seoul, South Korea fête made me wish we could dance and sing our conflicts away. I think about that scene in Fiddler on the Roof, where the Russian military and the villagers danced together at the bar and enjoyed each other as individuals. Too bad the ugly power system reared its hideous head in the end. But, we have to keep striving, right? As Monica Surfaro Spigelman says in her article on Tucson Meet Yourself’s 40th Anniversary, “The more we appreciate, the more we’ll respect, increasing the chances of understanding and working together.” Working with each other amicably also means working on ourselves; how can there be outward peace if peace doesn’t first reside within? Some call it happiness, others call it contentment or satisfaction. A rose by any other name... Searching for inner peace individually and having well-being affects the quality of our communities. How can we be happier? It’s not necessarily money, but some of the research may surprise you. This and next month, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences is hosting a downtown happiness lecture series with top notch University of Arizona faculty members. Their perspectives and research are fascinating. See page 10. To be happy, we need to relax, take a break and have some fun. October sure doesn’t disappoint! From the Halloween weirdness, Tucson Fashion Week and the Children’s Museum “Evening of Play” event, to the World Margarita Championship, Tucson Film and Music Festival and the constant art and live music, a plethora of intriguing diversions await! – Jamie Manser
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 5
community Z
Weightless Joy by Jade Nunes The trampoline. It beckons all ages to experience its promise of adrenaline and excitement. It’s a time machine, bringing back memories of childhood: sweaty summer afternoons, birthday parties and laughter. And, as if constructed from magnets, it pulls people to its bouncy surface – even if for a single jump. Walking through the doors of Get Air Tucson is like teleporting to a different planet, one where gravity doesn’t exist and the ground is rectangles comprised of springy, black substrates. The sounds of wild laughter is intoxicating and inviting and the air is energized with movement and excitement. Waiting in line to pay the entrance fee and signing the mandatory waiver feels like an eternity. But then, with shoes and socks off, heart pounding and a colored wristband signifying how long you can jump, it’s your turn. It’s a weird feeling, being able to jump as high - higher! - as you are tall. Then there’s that split-second where you feel utterly weightless and your inner-child screams: “I can fly!” You’re hooked. You can’t stop. Higher. Higher. Bounce. Jump. Flip. You don’t even realize how much you’re sweating. But Get Air doesn’t stop at trampolines. There are dodge ball courts, foam pits, a basketball hoop, and if you dare, a slack line to challenge your balance skills on. “I heard about it from few friends,” said Hunter Tek, a University of Arizona student who admitted that he’s been to Get Air on more than four occasions since its unofficial opening in late August. “The dodge ball courts are my favorite. And the basketball hoop.” With the fun comes some risk, however, as Greg Burleson had the misfortune of experiencing firsthand. “I learned how to do my first back flip here,” Burleson said triumphantly. “But then I racked my nuts on the slack line.” Patti Goodell’s son’s company, Trampoline Park LLC, installed the
trampolines at Get Air. Goodell says the trampolines are “over sprung” and very reinforced. “They’re just about as safe as they can be,” she said. “But it’s still an extreme sport. Someone could possibly get hurt.” Jumping on a trampoline is a sport? “You can burn up to 1300 calories an hour,” she said. “That’s a draw for people who are trying to stay fit.” Goodell explained that exercise classes and air aerobics will be among some of the offerings still to come. Monday through Thursday, Get Air offers family, student and community specials to encourage people to come jump. For example, on Thursdays, you can bring a can of food and jump for two hours for the price of one. Get Air also offers family nights and student discount nights. “The kids just go crazy for it,” Goodell said. There are 11 Get Air locations across the country, two of which are owned by Goodell - who said that five more are on the way. For younger children, Get Air has designated “Lil’ Air,” a smaller trampoline area for the wee ones. “It’s just kind of fun for all!” Goodell exclaimed. Time seems to move faster on a trampoline. When an hour has passed, a Get Air employee announces that everyone wearing a specific color wristband must discontinue jumping, or buy an additional hour. Stepping off its springy surface onto solid ground is almost like returning to reality. Legs a little sore and covered in sweat, it’s time to go home. “I’m definitely coming back,” said Marc Florian. “This place is awesome.” n Get Air Tucson is located at 330 S. Toole Ave. For more information about rates, hours and events, visit GetAirTucson.com or call 624-5867. October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 7
photo: Andrew Brown
Z events
“Have you ever walked in a room, and for whatever reason, it doesn’t even have to be a spooky feeling or anything, but you just get a feeling?” asks John Redmon, also known as Dr. Jonathon Arcane. “In this world, people emit energy, emit impressions and they can have a residual effect. It doesn’t have to be a manifestation, it can be a feeling or an echo of something that has occurred,” Redmon explains. “When you start considering what makes life... are electrical impulses in the human body. Electricity can’t be destroyed. It has to change form or be posited in another dimension or space for it to exist.” Sitting around the Hotel Congress’ lobby coffee table a coffee table that’s face ironically features an oversized Ouija board - The Brothers Macabre and Dr. Jonathon Arcane explain how they will attempt to communicate with by Jade Nunes manifestations and energies that may still exist at the iconic Hotel Congress, specifically those on the hotel's infamous third floor. It is the lone third floor room that survived the historic January 22, 1934 fire, which led to the subsequent capture of John Dillinger and his gang, one of America’s most notorious posses at the time and to date. According to legend, the last occupant of “The Room” was none other than Public Enemy Number One, John Dillinger. Since then, the floor has been repaired, but “The Room” has remained unoccupied and closed to the public… until now. Walking up the stairs to the third floor of Hotel Congress, there is a definite feeling. The stairs creak with each step – their moaning seems to convey a testament to all they’ve witnessed and endured. The atmosphere begins to feel heavier along the final flight to the third floor, as if it’s pushing or warning you to turn back. And when finally inside the fated Room 328, well, it’s easy to imagine that there could in fact be someone or something left behind, because Room 328 itself is really a ghost of what it once was. Original armchairs and electrical boxes are left as a reminder that energy and people once circulated in it. Maybe some of that energy was left behind. “The idea is this: is it possible to open a portal between what we experience in this dimension and what some people refer to as the other side?” Redmon postulates. “So the show is about experiencing the influence of The Room, experiencing the manifestations that allegedly occurred there. Are we saying it’s paranormal? No. We’re just trying to keep
an open mind.” Maybe "it" is paranormal. According to Todd Hanley, general manager of Hotel Congress, the hotel is recognized as being haunted. In the past 80 years, the hotel has documented that two guests, in separate incidents, have lost their lives there. Stories have circulated about encounters with the hotel's ghosts. And "The Room" seems to "creep out" even some of the hotel staff. “There’s an element of spookiness,” Hanley said. “The maintenance staff has always felt that room can be a little eerie.” Every Thursday evening in October, "The Room" will be opened for two shows, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Groups of 25 to 30 guests will experience a show unlike any other, and may decide for themselves that they have indeed felt some bizarre energies. “They say the veil between the living and dead is thinnest in October. We hope we can get a connection. We’re doing things we can’t really explain,” said Kenny Stewart of The Brothers Macabre. “No two shows are going to be the same.” Accompanied by a complimentary glass of champagne, guests will embark on a journey of the mind and attempt to become more “intuitive.” “An intuitive is someone who uses their senses and hones what could be called ‘uber senses’ to work with any possible manifestations in 'The Room',” explains Nate Anderson, of The Brothers Macabre. “It doesn’t even have to be manifestations. It could be occurrences that have happened in 'The Room' in the past.” Anderson and Stewart discuss how some people have stronger reactions to energies left behind by persons or events – kind of like how some people have more intense seasonal allergies than others. “Generally, you (can) get impressions from things that have happened. You’re mind will go wild thinking of all of the things that possibly could have occurred in 'The Room',” Anderson says of those who are willing to experience what "The Room" has in store.
“The Room” A Portal to the Other Side?
8 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
"The Room" will be opened for two shows - 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. - every Thursday in October, starting Oct. 3, at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and can be purchased through TicketFly.com/venue/503 and at HotelCongress.com. For more information, ring (520) 622-8848.
Z events
Angles on Achieving
Happiness
In a Downtown lecture series, five University of Arizona faculty members share how to utilize scientific research and ancient philosophies as tools for improving life. by Jamie Manser
10 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
vidual’s happiness based on age, income, education and other variables. It will also include “a substantive overview of the research on happiness from various social science fields” with the goal that the audience will have “a better understanding of why social scientists study happiness and some of the major findings on happiness, as well as some practical things they can apply in their daily lives to enhance their happiness.” Dr. Charles Raison, with the UA Department of Psychiatry and Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, observes that “the issue with happiness is – there's this real risk in our world – that happiness becomes this commodified thing that you've got to pursue and if you don't have it you are a loser, and that it is something you can almost purchase at a photos courtesy UA College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
In unscientific Facebook and verbal polls conducted by this writer, the question “What is your definition of happiness?” elicited responses ranging from one-word certainties (acceptance, self-respect, good friends, love) to a list of experiences that bring pleasure (a breeze, music, silence, the scent of desert rain); to smart-aleck (a warm gun) to grumpy and demeaning (your "research" is quixotic). Certainly, individual definitions of happiness are subjective (not everyone finds happiness in solitude and camping), but, as a species – can we define what it is to be happy on some baseline level? Basic provisions for survival probably need to initially be met: water, food, clothing, shelter. Beyond that, what else is universal? Perhaps music, art and homage to a greater being or purpose; such themes have been a running thread in the cultural artifacts of us Homo sapiens. The question has been rooted in philosophical thought for centuries, but recent scientific inquiries are quantifying elements of happiness in ways that, viscerally, most of us already know. Taking care of our physicality translates to well-being; exercising kicks in brain chemistry that influences our moods via our neurotransmitters. Conversely, it is difficult to be happy when you are sick. Why? Because you feel like crap, you are in pain, et cetera. We get satisfaction out of a job well done - and when people appreciate our work and say thank you, that unexpected benefit elevates our self-esteem. The scientific explanations can be complex, but the principles are simple and sometimes we need reminders on how to achieve a higher state of existence. The questions, answers and implications are huge. The more satisfied, content or fulfilled a person is can directly affect their families, friends and neighbors. Our interactions with each other have a ripple effect – how many times have you been the brunt of displaced anger and subsequently snarled at the next person who crossed your path? What about the times when a random smile inspired you to randomly smile at someone else? We can create better communities and a better world by thinking about and acting on the concepts that will be shared at the Fox Theatre weekly on Wednesdays from Oct. 16 through Nov. 13, hosted and organized by the UA’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. While each UA faculty member has a different lens through which they will present their topics, the common thread and definition of happiness they share is the idea of creating a life of well-being and meaning. As the UA's School of Sociology Undergraduate Studies Director Celestino Fernandez, Ph.D., describes: “People most consistently say that the following three things make them happy, and these are certainly sociological: family and friends, doing good for others, being engaged in meaningful activities. No one on their deathbed wishes they had more time to live so they could acquire more stuff! They wish they had more time to spend with family and friends. “Yes, subjectivity is involved in the definition of happiness but there is a great deal of research that demonstrates that when we measure happiness, the nuances of the variations in the definitions do not matter.” Fernandez’s lecture, “Pursuing and Finding Happiness,” on Oct. 16 opens the series with the major focus covering the fluctuations of an indi-
Left: Celestino Fernandez, Ph.D., UA School of Sociology Undergraduate Studies Director, speaks about “Pursuing and Finding Happiness” on Oct. 16. Right: Dr. Charles Raison, with the UA Department of Psychiatry, presents “Compassionate Training as a Path to Genuine Happiness” on Oct. 23.
store, that it is a concrete thing. We know some very interesting things about happiness that argue against that. Part of what make people really happy is unexpected benefit. So, some of the happiest times in people's lives occur in paradoxical situations and it seems confusing unless you understand that the things that make humans happy are basic things like feeling like you have a meaning or purpose, feeling like the narrative arc of your life is telling a story that makes sense.” Raison, who researches depression and ways to alleviate it, shares that “most people, especially in the modern world, when they really, really get unhappy for protracted periods and begin to have depression, they become more selfish, more self-centered, less able.” Clearly, selfishness isn’t great for a community and his studies on Cognitively-Based Compassion Training - developed by Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi, Ph.D. - have preliminarily shown that (according to Psychiatry.arizona.edu/raison/cbct) “compassion training actually changes people's daily behavior in ways likely to enhance emotional well-being, relationships, and improve physical health.”
events Z On Oct. 23, Raison presents his findings in the lecture “Compassionate Training as a Path to Genuine Happiness,” and explains that such training helps people to challenge their assumptions and perceptions of the world. “Basically, we are always looking at the world through this lens that falsifies it and does this damage and if you can see the world more as it is, it opens up opportunities and especially opportunities for happiness.” While our attitudes can be helped through mental exercises, our wellbeing is most certainly influenced by our surroundings. Dr. Esther Sternberg, who joined the UA in 2012 as a Professor of Medicine and the Research Director at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine with joint appointments in the UA Institute of the Environment and the UA College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture, has done extensive research on mind-body interactions in illness and healing and the interrelationships of mind-body-stress-wellness and environment. Sternberg says her lecture on Oct. 30, “How Our Surroundings Influence Happiness and Health,” will “focus on well-being in its larger sense and specifically: What are the elements of the external world, the environment, the world we live in, the natural environment, the built environment, that can contribute to that sense of well-being? And, thereby, help us maintain health and optimize health – both emotional and physical? “Is it what you see, is it what you hear, is it what you smell, is it what
photos courtesy UA College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
delve into the “why” of our physical make-up. As hunters and gatherers, Homo sapiens had to be structured to endure the demands of survival. Our current fast food nation, office work and inactive lifestyle don’t gel with our evolution. David Raichlen, Ph.D., researcher and associate professor at the UA School of Anthropology, is looking at how and why our present sedentary ways impact our physical and mental health. Raichlen explains that his lecture on Nov. 6, “The Evolutionary Links between Exercise and Happiness,” is going to cover, “broadly, how we know exercise improves people's mood and psychological state and discuss the bigger research projects that have shown that. Then, spend the majority of the time discussing our work in the lab here, linking that change in mood to our evolutionary history, placing the links between exercise and happiness into that evolutionary framework and perspective. Why does exercise make us happy? I'm hoping this speaks to a broader question about how any behavior can have an effect on our mood. What we've done in this study is provide at least one sort of way of thinking about why behaviors affect the way you feel. It's not the only way it happens, but it is one way that it can happen. So, it gives you the opportunity to think about any particular behavior that makes you feel good. There may be an evolutionary perspective that can help explain why those behaviors are enjoyable and can change your mood and make you feel happy.” Capping off the series on Nov. 13 is Daniel C. Russell’s presentation, “Happiness – A Feeling or a Future?” Russell, Ph.D. philosophy professor at UA’s Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, brings an ancient philosophical approach to the quest of achieving happiness. “By ‘happiness’ we often mean a present state – how I’m feeling right now, or maybe how I’m feeling these days. Those states are very real and very important. But I’m looking at something else, because ‘happiness’ can also be the name of a whole life of involvement in things I find meaningful and fulfilling. “So, it’s worth taking a moment to think about happiness not just as Left: Daniel C. Russell, Ph.D., philosophy professor with UAs Center for the Philosophy of Freedom presents “Happiness – A Feeling or a how you want to feel but as what Future?” on Nov. 13. Middle: Dr. Esther Sternberg, UA Professor of Medicine and Research Director at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, presents “How Our Surroundings Influence Happiness and Health” on Oct. 30. Right: David Raichlen, Ph.D., researcher and asyou ultimately want your life to be. sociate professor at UA School of Anthropology, covers “The Evolutionary Links between Exercise and Happiness” on Nov. 6. That sort of happiness means findyou touch, is it what you do in a space that can help you heal and help you ing things to live for. One way to know when you’ve found things to live find this sense of well-being? The answer is, all of the above, of course. for, though, is when you have something to lose. That’s the catch for us. The exciting thing we are doing here at the University of Arizona as I creAs important as feeling good is, we actually risk a lot of sorrow, frustraate the Institute on Place and Well-Being is part of that. The research that tion, and disappointment for the sake of happiness; we realize that no-risk we're going to be doing is going to address all of those questions. happiness isn’t really happiness. Unfortunately, a lot of what people hear “It's very exciting to try to tease apart these different elements of place about happiness focuses just on feeling good, as if that were the whole and how they affect the brain – and in turn emotions, and in turn the imstory. I think we can do a lot better. mune system, and in turn health. And by doing that, by understanding “Simply put, we think about happiness because we care about what, in how each of these elements alone and then together can help people shift the end, we do with our lives. That, I think, is exactly the right perspective, from the stress mode to a relaxation mode, from a negative mood mode to and that is why I have found it worthwhile to keep exploring this ancient a happiness mode, how they can help shift the immune system from a disGreek perspective on happiness.” n eased mode to a health mode, then people can help themselves. You can structure your environment in such a way that you can find your own place The free lectures start at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday, Oct. 16 to Nov. of peace, your own place of happiness, and your own place of healing.” 13. Tickets, four maximum per person, can be picked up from the Fox To understand our biological systems, it is imperative to understand Theatre box office, 17 W. Congress St., starting at 11 a.m. on the day of how our physiology evolved and how that ties into well-being. Knowing the lecture. More information is at DowntownLectures.arizona.edu. that our brains and bodies communicate with each other, it is important to October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 11
12 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
events Z photo: Britta Van Vranken/courtesy Children’s Museum Tucson
Children’s Museum Tucson at night during the 2012 Evening of Play fundraiser.
Recess for the Grown-Ups by Jade Nunes
There are levitating balls, a miniature train set and a sound wave machine. You want to experiment and play. It’s okay, you can admit it. This stuff is cool! But you’re an adult, and the Children’s Museum is just for kids. Right? Wrong. At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, the Children’s Museum opens its doors for its third-annual Evening of Play, an adults-only exclusive event that allows the “big kids” to play and interact with the museum's exhibits. “It’s such a unique opportunity for adults to come down and to enjoy the museum and just play,” says Michael Luria, executive director of Children’s Museum Tucson. But the fundraising event doesn’t stop there. Live music, artistic performances and a silent auction are also included in the festivities. The best part? All of the Evening of Play's proceeds will support the Children’s Museum in their ongoing efforts to provide interactive and innovative learning experiences for children and families. “It’s just really a fun interactive event that really supports our exhibits and programming,” Luria adds. And just in case the excited adults work up an appetite during all of
the activities and entertainment, some of Tucson’s treasured tastes from local eateries – Geo Taco, The Hub, Cup Café, Contigo and others – will be on hand. Adult beverages, such as “Playtinis” are on the menu along with other “playfully inspired libations.” The evening will also allow adults to take a look into the museum’s brand new “Wee World” and Art Studio exhibits, a highlight for the event. The museum is expecting about 350 to 400 guests “Anyone is welcome to attend,” said Daniela Siqueiros, marketing and membership manager. “It’s going to be a really fun evening.” Can’t get enough Children’s Museum? The museum is also looking forward to the Bollywood inspired event called “Fame” – Family Arts and Music Experience – that will be a free admission day to children and their families on Sunday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. n Evening of Play begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 200 S. 6th Ave. Tickets are $125 per person. All proceeds help the museum continue to provide innovative learning opportunities. To RSVP or for more information, call (520) 792-9985 or visit ChildrensMuseumTucson.org. October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 13
photos: Steven Meckler/courtesy Tucson Meet Yourself
Z events
Ethnic foods are a cornerstone of Tucson Meet Yourself.
Celebrations of Tucson’s ethnic cultures at Tucson Meet Yourself.
Ephemera and Eccentricities
Tradition and a 40th Anniversary Spice Up Tucson Meet Yourself by Monica Surfaro Spigelman Tuck in your sari; swallow that mouthful of paella and hang on to your delicate Ukrainian egg. Somewhere between the first spring roll and listening to the bagpipes – you’ll be swept away by an annual phenomenon that lies dormant in Tucson until the second weekend of October. But then, ethnic pride blooms into quite a feast, a meeting of yourself Downtown, a delicious celebration that mixes up shared cultures in the desert. Authenticity is serious business at Tucson Meet Yourself (TMY), celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. So is the eating and learning about what is both exciting and everyday in a most remarkable cultural stew. The giant of a man behind all this is hard to miss! Although now leaning on a walker or riding his scooter, Dr. Jim Griffith, practicing urban anthropologist, still looms large at the annual festival. Plucking his banjo, admiring a Mexican lady’s flowers, listening to and talking with Tohono O’odham and Turks and everyone else in between, this man of everyday people has made sharing the multi-cultures of the Arizona-Sonora region his life’s work, resulting in books, the past directorship of the Southwest Folklore Center at the University of Arizona, as well as the nation’s highest honor for folklorists from the National Endowment for the Arts. Veterans of Big Jim will not be disappointed this year when his showcase of ourselves again covers every corner of the Presidio, Jácome Plaza and environs – a site selected 40 years ago as “neutral ground” for the city’s cultural collaboration. Like an old-fashioned, massive quilting circle, TMY activates Downtown as its own utopian community, a funky melting pot along the lines of what Big Jim and Loma Griffith, the founders of TMY, call “the fruitcake model” – full of textures and colors that stand on their own within a nutty cake.
Doing the 40th Even if you’re not a fruitcake fan you’ll still enjoy this party of the people. The 2013 event has some new elements, including... 14 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
The 40th Anniversary Cultural Kitchen foodway includes 25 food demonstrations from local cooking gurus, ranging from Ethiopian red lentil stew, to chiltepin chocolate ice cream and Swedish spritz cookies. Also expect prickly pear cheese cake, cholla bud/nopalito salad, Congolese lenga lenga (amaranth stew) and Russian beet vinaigrette salad. The kitchen runs until 7pm Saturday and all day Sunday, and of course the 50+ food booths are open until festival lights out. The Lowrider Show and Shine returns to its original TMY location (Tucson Museum of Art), while nearby at La Cocina Old Town Artisans – there’ll be a satellite storytelling stage hosted by Pima County Library Foundation. A new visual and educational exhibit on the Chinese in Tucson will be sponsored by the Chinese Cultural Center in a tent outside the main library at Jácome Plaza, while the Western History Association (conducting its annual meeting up in the Foothills) will host a panel discussion on one TMY stage, bringing scholars who study the history of the west Downtown to join the festival fusion. Expect the 25th Annual AIDSWalk Tucson to traverse through the festival, kicking off Sunday’s program, beginning at 9am.
Tall Tales While for many TMY is all about the food, others are interested in the peculiar folklore that has grown up around the festival over four decades. If you haven’t heard the storytelling, you can read about the tales and more TMY history at ZocaloMagazine.com, where this article continues online.n The free festivities take place at the main library plaza, El Presidio Park, and surrounding streets from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Oct 11-12 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Oct 13. Schedule and parking information is available at TucsonMeetYourself.org. Article continues online at ZocaloMagazine.com
16 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
photo courtesy: SlaughterHouseTucson.com
Halloween horrors happen at The Slaughter House in October.
events Z
Zombies, Zebras and Zoot Suits, Oh My! by Phoenix Michael
Do you remember when Halloween was a holiday for children? Boy, are you old! Adults usurped Oct. 31 from the young and commandeered their party ages ago. This speaks to the unsatisfying nature of being a grownup in modern society, where living one’s wildest dreams takes a backseat to getting a steady job. Once a year though, we can at least pretend to be that swashbuckling pirate or awesome astronaut. Here’s the lowdown on Old Pueblo spooktacular happenings. As the undisputed granddaddy of haunted houses in Southern Arizona, Nightfall at Old Tucson always lives up to its reputation. It is, after all, an entire terrifying town with multiple attractions available for those who dare enter. Top-notch live shows are their specialty, with this year being no exception. Expect the 2013 headlining performance “Kindred of the Dust” to deliver the death-defying stunts, eye-popping pyrotechnics and unsettling imagery that has made Nightfall popular for so long. Old favorites like the Iron Door Mine and the wisecracking gargoyles in Terror Square will of course return. Nightfall is open Thursdays and Sundays 6 p.m.-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 6 p.m.-midnight through Halloween night within the Old West movie studio/theme park at 201 S. Kinney Rd. Admission is $25 for ages 12 and up, $20 for ages 4-11. Call Old Tucson Studios at (520) 883-0100 or visit NightfallAZ.com for all the gory details. In recent times however, The Slaughter House has challenged Nightfall’s reign as the most frightening spot in town. Located inside the walls of the creepy former Farmer John’s meatpacking plant at 1102 W. Grant Rd., the four haunts here - the Twisted Tree Mortuary, the 3D nightmare CarnEvil, The Boiler Room and City Meats - are almost guaranteed to make you scream. There’s even an interactive shooting gallery-type experience called Apocalypse. It’s all for a good cause, as well: the 501c(3) Tucson Screamers who operate The Slaughter House have given upwards of $80,000 to local charities over the years. Classic rock band Zebra performs a family day at The Slaughter House on Sunday, Oct. 13; purchase tickets at FlavorUs.com. Hours and admission prices are at SlaughterHouseTucson.com or call (520) 784-2501. The shuffling dead of Tucson Zombie Walk are restructuring their event in response to new city ordinances; planner Patrick Reed promises location, date and time details will be announced when available. In the meantime, Reed and TucsonZombies.com are sponsoring the third annual Tucson Terrorfest horror film festival Thursday-Saturday Oct. 17-19 at The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St., featuring “Dead Meat Walking: A Zombie Walk Documentary.” The movie includes insights from actor Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”) and makeup artist/director Tom Savini (“Django”). See TucsonTerrorFest.com for a full schedule of films; with Reed claiming he is “fairly certain that zombies are among us” but is “not authorized to
disclose official evidence at this time,” it’s best to be prepared. Too scary? Those with young children in tow will appreciate Reid Park Zoo’s Howl-O-Ween! event running Friday-Sunday, Oct. 25-27 from 6-8 p.m. nightly. It’s more fun than frightening, and definitely a delight to see the zoo transformed into a spooky playground. Parents can relax while their little ones trick-or-treat in a safe environment, and the kids will love wandering the zoo’s winding paths finding surprises around every corner. Admission is $5 for zoo members and $7 for the general public, with gates opening early at 5:30 p.m. for members. Reid Park Zoo is located at 3400 Zoo Court in the middle of (you guessed it) Reid Park. Call (520) 791-4022 for more information or directions, and to watch the elephant cam visit ReidParkZoo.org. For celebrants wishing to stand out from the crowd, the closest Spirit Halloween Superstore isn’t going to cut it. Finding an outfit unlike anybody else’s requires creativity. It doesn’t require driving all over town, however. Tucson Thrift Shop, 319 N. 4th Ave., is your one-stop costume shop with feather boas, wigs, jewelry, vintage footwear and hats of every style imaginable. With myriad duds from funky to fancy, this is a great place to piece together the period look of a 1920s flapper or 1943 zoot suit rioter. Tucson Thrift Shop is open seven days a week; stop by Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Visit TucsonThriftShop.com or call (520) 623-8736. Still can’t locate what you need? You are a discerning customer, indeed. Try locally-owned Creative Costumes and Formal Wear at 4220 E. Speedway Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can be reached at (520) 882-8822 and CreativeCostumesTucson.com. The Tucson area has more Halloween-themed events to attend than a century's worth of candy corn-caused cavities: Located only thirty minutes away from downtown at 17000 W. Ajo Way, Buckelew Farms’ “Terror in the Corn” runs every Friday and Saturday evening in October, in addition to College Night Out on Thursday, Oct. 24 and Halloween Night on Thursday, Oct. 31. Visit BuckelewFarm.com for details. Valley of the Moon presents “Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Ruins” at their enchanted 2544 E. Allen Rd. location Oct. 11-13, 18-20 and 25-30. See TucsonValleyOfTheMoon.com for showtimes and admission prices. Colossal Cave Mountain Park is offering candlelight ghost tours and haunted hayrides Oct. 18-19 and 25-27 at their 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail headquarters out in Vail. Learn more at ColossalCave.com. And Bookmans Entertainment Exchange graciously hosts a Zombie Fair with free makeup and special effects on Saturday, Oct. 26 from noon-3 p.m. at their 6230 E. Speedway Blvd. location. Plan your visit at Bookmans.com. n Boo! October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 17
The Gathering of Souls In its twenty-fourth year, the All Souls Procession returns to honor the dead and celebrate life in one of the Southwest’s biggest events. On Sunday, Nov. 3 the streets of downtown Tucson and the surrounding neighborhoods will be transformed for a yearly gathering of epic magnitude for a divine purpose. Drums will bellow as citizens and visitors march donning skull-painted faces and brightly crafted masks. Many will hold signs with pictures of departed loved ones and some even push grandiose floats that depict burial scenes and skeletons. Thousands of people will line the streets to cheer on and dance to the music of marching bands and street musicians as the community of Tucson unites in edifying emotion. As the procession nears its final location, the crowd of 50,000 participants and nearly as many onlookers file into the open space where bursts of fire stretch towards the sky momentarily lighting the white cloaked dancers suspended from 100-feet in the air above. As the music intensifies and the chanting begins, a large cauldron of written letters and prayers is hoisted above the crowd where it is lit on fire to send the charred ashes to their recipients in the afterlife. Music from the elevated stages will echo loudly into the night as the crowd revels in Tucson’s legendary All Souls Procession. The highly anticipated procession returns, and thanks to the efforts of a small and determined organization known as Many Mouths One Stomach, the event is flourishing more than ever. For MMOS founding member and the artistic director for the event, Nadia Hagen, the work begins for the next year’s procession as soon as the last procession ends. “We’ve been working on logistics as far as routing the path and obtaining permits from the city and we have been figuring out how the streetcar will impact the downtown part of the trail,” says Hagen. “We’re using a finale site where there’s a lot of construction and development going on. Really it’s a yearlong planning process. This event grows exponentially, so naturally each year is the biggest it’s ever been.” This always-evolving event will see many new changes to its lineup and location this year, as gatherers are encouraged to meet on Nov. 3 at Hotel Congress as early as noon to experience Face Painting Town, where expert face painters will be on hand to help aid in the makeover process. Then the participants are asked to assemble at 5 p.m. at the underpass of 6th Avenue and 6th Street where procession will begin directly at 6 p.m. The route moves south on 6th Avenue to Alameda then leads west to West Congress Street where it will conclude at the final meeting grounds past the freeway at Mercado San Agustin. “The location of the route is very pragmatic and it is dictated by construction, which there is an abundance of downtown, but we want to stay in the heart of the city,” says Hagen. “It’s great for people to feel ownership over the main artery of our town. Unfortunately we’re not able to keep 18 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
by Jon D’Auria
the Mercado space permanently because it’s all slotted for development. There is a tentative plan to use a plot of land to the west of the Mercado. If the city and the public can really push for a festival ground to be allocated on that space then that would be a permanent home for this event.” While nearly 100,000 people turn out to participate in and watch the procession, the event finds itself in a yearly struggle to stay afloat financially and to remain an independent entity. This year the coordinators at MMOS are again asking for donations at the procession which will greatly help them fund this and next year’s event and to make sure that they can continue the tradition for years to come. “Less than 1.4% of the people who come to this event fund the entire thing. Those are the only people who donate. If we could get 5% of the people who come to donate then we would never have to run a campaign to continue this,” says Hagen. “This year we’re going to have people out in the crowd that we’re calling the Hungry Ghost Crew who are going out to collect offerings of money. We want to make it clear because we know in the past that people have been confused and have thrown donation money into the urn that was meant for us and it ends up getting burned. Giving a little makes a huge difference for us and it is the difference between this event living and the event dying.” The ASP was originated in 1990 when a local artist named Susan Johnson put together a performance piece to help grieve the loss of her father. Coinciding with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, the event began seeing larger and larger crowds of people who wished to mourn the loss of their own loved ones and feel the sense of unity that came with such a momentous gathering of community. While the event has grown and evolved beyond the wildest dreams of it’s founders, all of the hard work and year-round effort that goes into planning the event all becomes worthwhile at the climax of the evening. “The closing ceremony is always the best part for me when we light the urn of prayers,” says Hagen. “I love talking to people who have never experienced it and try to describe it for them. I can grow jaded from all of the year-round work that we do for this, but when we haul out the urn and people put in their prayers and we hoist it above the massive crowd and burn it, that moment is indescribable. That moment is beyond any words and it makes all the big efforts and heartaches and hardships that go into this just melt away.” n For information on the procession, maps, details on contributing and schedules of events and workshops, see pages 28 & 29 of this issue, or visit AllSoulsProcession.org.
photo: Dominic Bonuccelli, azfoto.com, courtesy of All Souls Procession
Z events
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 19
october
Z events
Fri 4- Sun 6
ANNUAL PUMPKIN FIESTA
The Sonoran Glass Art Academy presents over 400 unique glass-art pieces up for sale! Make your own pumpkin for $85. 10am-5pm daily. Sonoran Glass Art Academy, 633 W. 18th St. 884-7814, SonoranGlass.org
photo Liora Kuttler, courtesy of Cafe Passe
OKTOBERFEST AT CAFE PASSE
Enjoy festivities and live music in the Biergarten as well as special food and drink including the Hofbrau Oktoberfest Beer and Bratwursts. Oktoberfest menu served from 12pm-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays; 12pm-6pm on Sundays. Cafe Passe, 415 N. 4th Ave. 624-4411, CafePasse.com
Sat, Nov. 2 Night of the Living Fest Deerhoof and The Meat Puppets join a huge lineup of amazing national and local musicians for this Arts and Entertainment Fest and Official All Souls Pre-Party. $35$75. Noon-1 a.m. Old Tucson Studios, 201 S. Kinney Rd. NightOfTheLivingFest. com
20 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
photo: 2013 Scott Griessel/Creatista, courtesy of Sonoran Glass
Fri 11-Sun 13 & Fri 18-Sun 21
Sat 19 Take a Seat, Tucson! Live auction of chairs by Tucson artists and silent auction items of folk art and unique finds. Benefiting La Pilita Museum. Free entry, open bar. Located at Mercado San Agustin 100 S. Avenida del Convento. Details at lapilita.com
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 21
Z events
october
Halloween events on page 17. Fri 4
Mon 7- Fri 11
DINNER AND DRINKS AT GRINGO A Fox
HUMANITIES WEEK Series of events showcas-
Tucson Theatre Foundation Fundraiser. 5:30pm. 5900 N. Oracle Rd. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org
ing professors and topics from the College of Humanities. See website for various times and lecture topics. Dorthy Rubel Room, 1508 E. Helen Street. Free. 6264319, Humanities.Arizona.Edu/Week
Martini party, dinner and raffle prizes. Performers include Jeff Haskell, Katherine Byrnes, Dale Ann Cook and Jeff Grubic anc Friends. $200. 4pm-8pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
Thu 10-Sun 13
Sun 20
Fri 4 - sun 6 TUCSON MODERNISM WEEK
A Celebration of Tucson’s Mid-Century Modern design and architecture. Events include: Cocktail party, Marketplace and Expo, Vintage Trailer Show, Films, Lectures and more. See website for times, locations and prices. TucsonMod.com
Sat 5 THE BIG PICTURE
Members of the Central Tucson Gallery celebrate their season opener for the contemporary art galleries with a kick-off expo at several galleries in Tucson including The Drawing Studio, Raices Taller, Conrad Wilde Gallery, Joseph Gross Gallery, Davis Dominguez Gallery, Philabaum Gallery, Contreras Gallery, Sacred Machine Gallery, Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery and Obsidian Gallery. Free. Galleries open at 11am, reception events start at 6pm. CTGATucson.org
WAMO TAART WALK
Experience art exhibits, micro-cinema screenings, workshops, music performances, brew tastings, and food trucks while meeting the artists and innovators on and around East Toole Avenue. 5pm-10pm. Toole Avenue between 6th and Stone Avenue. Free. WAMOTucson.org
DANCING IN THE STREET A gala event featuring a cabaret performance by Anneliese van der Pol and catered dinner on behalf of Arizona Theatre Company. $200. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 622-2823, ArizonaTheatre.org
MEDITERRANEAN NIGHTS
A night of dancing featuring guest star Frank Farino. 7:30pm9:30pm. $15. Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. KathrynFerguson.net
Sat 5-Sun 6 EARTH HARMONY FESTIVAL
A weekend celebration of living in environmental, social, spiritual, & musical harmony. Free. Avalon Organic Gardens and Eco Village, 2074 Pendleton Drive. 398-2542, EarthHarmonyFestival.org
22 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
TUCSON FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sun 13 BUTTERFLY AFFAIRE
BLUES HERITAGE FESTIVAL
9th annual showcase of music‐related films and international music artists. See the film listings/website for lineup, locations and ticket information. TucsonFilmandMusicFestival.com
Lineup includes various blues singers and bands including The Coolers, Ed de Lucia Blues Band, Kara Grainger and more!11am-7pm. $10. Rilito Race Track Park, 4502 N. 1st Ave. AZBlues.org
Fri 11-Sun 13
Fri 25
TUCSON MEET YOURSELF
The 40th Annual celebration of cultural foods and traditional arts of the multi-national Arizona-Sonora Region and ethnic communities. The three-day event features hundreds of artisans, home cooks, dancers, musicians and special exhibits that celebrate and honor beauty in all its diverse, informal, and everyday forms. Downtown at the Main Library Plaza, El Presidio Park, and surrounding streets. Free. 11am-10pm, Oct 11-12; 11am-6pm, Oct 13. TucsonMeetYourself.org
Sat 12 2nd SATURDAYS
Monthly entertainment and family-friendly urban street fest, includes merchant specials and street performances. Performers include: Dan Green & The Dive Bombers, Belly Dance Tucson, The Mission Creeps, and The Swigs. Free. 6pm-10:30pm. Congress Street, 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com
PRIDE IN THE DESERT FESTIVAL
A pride celebration! Featuring Tucson Pride Grand Marshall Stuart Milk. Kino Sports Park, 2500 E. Ajo Way. 11am- 9pm. $10-$50. 219 S. 5th Ave. Free. 6223200, TucsonPride.org
Sun 13 AIDSWALK
245th Anniversary: 5K walk & 10K fun run in remembrance of loves ones lost to HIV/AIDS and in support of services and prevention education for anyone living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV/ AIDS. Registration fees. 8am. Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. 628-7223, AidsWalkTucson.com
THE 7TH ANNUAL WORLD MARGARITA CHAMPIONSHIP Taste over 15 original margaritas with paired food from a variety of Tucson original restaurants. 6pm-9pm. $60. Tucson Museum of Art, 1031 Olive Rd. 621-7567, TucsonCulinaryFestival.com
Sat 26 The Cat’s Meow
Dinner buffet, silent and live auction and entertainment benefiting the Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter. 5:30pm-10pm, at Scottish Rite Temple, 160 S. Scott Ave. Tickets at 571-7839.
FEAST WITH THE DEARLY DEPARTED Mariachis, sugar skulls, luminarias, workshops, Sonoran food, and a Day of the Dead Procession. 5pm8pm. Non-members: $8 adults, $4 children (ages 4-12) Members: $4 adults, $2 children (ages 4-12). Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
ONGOING Mondays MEET ME AT MAYNARDS (@Hotel Congress) Southern Arizona Roadrunners’ Monday evening, non-competitive, social 3-mile run/walk, that begins and ends downtown at Hotel Congress, rain/shine/ holidays included! 311 E. Congress St. 991-0733, MeetMeAtMaynards.com
WILDCAT HOCKEY
Wildcats take to the ice at the TCC against the following teams: Fri 25: Northern Arizona, Sat 26: Alumni Game, Delaware, Thu 31: Colorado. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. 7:30pm. Prices Vary. ArizonaWilcatHockey.org
Halloween events on page 17.
24 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
arts Z photo from AloisKronschlaeger.wordpress.com
A model of “Untitled (Basin and Range).” The full scale installation is Alois Kronschlaeger’s largest piece to date.
Ephemeral Tucson Topography by Jamie Manser The sun is bright and angled just barely past overhead at 2:30 p.m. on a mid-September afternoon. Rolling up to the Museum of Contemporary Art, I park facing a work truck and next to the red moca letters at the museum’s plaza edge. The soundscape is cut intermittently by the whirrrrrrr zzzzzzzzzzz of an electric saw, the scent of wood dust dances sweetly on a languid breeze. I move slowly, a little beat up from physical therapy, but also to take in the visuals. Not knowing what to expect from an installation that will only allow 10 people in at a time to experience it - in a huge space that once housed fire trucks - has piqued the curiosity. Five men and a woman are working with 12-foot long two by twos. Thousands of these wood strips are already assembled together in MOCA's Great Hall, hundreds more lie in mostly tidy groupings. A few of the guys look up out of curiosity, fleetingly - there is a deadline to meet. MOCA's Executive Director Anne-Marie Russell enthusiastically discusses the exhibit, Untitled (Basin and Range) by NYC, Austria-born, installation artist Alois Kronschlaeger. "Alois conceived the concept while here last year as a resident artist." Russell smiles, adding that many of the artists who come through MOCA are inspired by the landscape. "These aren't landscape artists, but the desert landscape becomes incorporated in their work." Russell says, "Let's go meet the guys," and we make our way across the plaza where Kronschlaeger and Henry Kerr are diligently concentrating on the project. Kerr is also an artist and the Basin and Range construction crew leader. En route, Russell introduces me to Florencia Minniti, Alois' wife and a smiling beauty who looks very Tucson in her t-shirt, skirt and straw hat. I'm awestruck by the scale of this work and not sure where to begin with the questions, so we start with the numbers. "There's 1500 two by twos," Kerr details. "This is recycled wood from three different, previous (MOCA) exhibits." The installation depicts mountain ranges, comprised of 65 sections. Kronschlaeger, grinning and glistening with sweat, recounts the history. "I was here for nine days, in January 2012. I saw the (Great Hall) space, and went back to New York to build a model." Building the model alone took two months, six weeks of that was spent focusing on how to divide up the space. By the time the exhibit opens on
Oct. 4, it will have taken about seven weeks of working 13 to 14 hour days, seven days a week, to construct it within the Great Hall. "There are five ranges here," Kronschlaeger continues, sweeping his arm back towards the Great Hall, which is filled to capacity with these wooden grids, still skeletal and awaiting definition. "Each has its own characteristics and attitude. "What fascinated me was the topography, the basin and range of the landscape. I do site-specific work, so doing Tucson - it is the basin and range of the area." This is experiential art that navigates each individual through, under and around the ranges. It fires the imagination. What would it be like if we could actually move this way through mountain ranges? It is exciting and breathtaking. Kronschlaeger asks if we should go through the ranges, I of course say yes, not realizing the ducking and dodging involved during this construction phase. Once the exhibit is completed, there will be free movement through the designated paths. We take a break on the south end of the hall, and Kronschlaeger fleshes out the vision by explaining that the wood lattices - the ranges - will be draped with wire mesh that has a pouring of translucent paint on top. "There are 10 rolls of mesh, each are six feet wide and 100 feet long," Kronschlaeger explicates. "It's a water-based acrylic paint, acting like an optic lens that mirrors the shifting of the light and the ambiance of the space." Each angle, every space, each moment, every perspective will be unique to each visitor based on the time of day. Since light shifts constantly as the Earth and Sun move in our solar system and universe, it is ephemeral defined. Kronschlaeger's blue eyes dance when he says, "It will take 75 gallons of paint," as if to somewhat apologize for the quantity. Shrugging, he states with simple conviction, "Everything is in perfect alignment." n Due to the limited viewing capacity, 10 people in the exhibit at a time, the Oct. 4 opening of Untitled (Basin and Range) is reserved for MOCA members. The general public can enjoy it starting on Oct. 5. MOCA is located at 265 S. Church Ave. Further details are available at MOCA-Tucson.org and (520) 624-5019. Also visit AloisKronschlaeger.wordpress.com. October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 25
Z arts
Artistic Commemorations for the Dearly Departed by CJ Shane
“Party Girls Forever” by Carol Hegedus
Día de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday that honors the deceased, has inspired some very lively artworks currently on display through Nov. 10 at Tohono Chul’s Main Gallery, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. During the Sept. 13 opening, art lovers had the very pleasurable experience of following Tohono Chul Park’s curving walkway through native desert flora to arrive at the art gallery just as the sun disappeared below the Tucson Mountains. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a widely-observed holiday in Mexico that takes place annually on Nov. 1 and 2. Its origins are rooted in Aztec culture, and the observance has become an important part of Tucson's culture. Ben Johnson, Tohono Chul’s Curator of Exhibitions, explains the unique nature of the holiday and its art, saying, “I find that when we speak about death, we are actually speaking about life. In the ache of remembering departed friends and family, we are really feeling the beauty of their lives resonating in us deeply. I see this dichotomy in so many of the works in this exhibit. The poignancy and sweetness of life held together at once.” This year’s exhibit, now in its tenth year, is noteworthy for its diverse range of mediums and interpretations of the holiday. Art includes paintings, prints, paper cuttings, sculptures of paper mâché and of recycled materials, ceramics, mosaics, artist’s books, beaded appliqués and quilts, window art and interactive shrines. “I feel that the voices of these varied mediums and styles speak to the interesting space that exists between the individual and the larger human bond,” Johnson adds. The iconic image from any Día de los Muertos celebration is the cala26 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
“Afterlife Paradise” by William Wiggins III
vera or skull. Calaveras are in no short supply in the artwork, and despite their ubiquitous appearance, these skulls are as diverse and as engaging as the artwork itself. The exhibit’s standouts are celebratory works such as the life-size paper mâché sculpture Catrina by Quetzally Hernandez Coronado, and Mel Dominguez’s piece Las Gitanas, a colorful and symbolic rendition of a Day of the Dead celebration in Tucson’s own Barrio Viejo. Carol Hegedus, in her tile mosaic Party Girls Forever, tells us of departed friends, “What normally stays with me is the memory of fun and play and the good times together.” Beautiful pieces in the exhibit, among them Robyn Duenow’s finely wrought Momento and William Wiggins III’s Afterlife Paradise, offer a more serene view of what awaits us. Janet Windsor’s quilt, My Idea of Heaven, presents a personal view. “I cannot imagine a happier place to end up than at my sewing machine.” Humor abounds in some pieces; among them Royce Davenport’s Crossing the Line (Meeting the Afterlife Head On). Recycled and discarded materials transform into a cocky motorist behind the wheel of his “ride” ready for a trip to the afterlife. Life returning after death is seen in Jennie Norris’s painting The Offering. Sunflowers are in full bloom, and yet the calaveras are already present in the roots and creeping up stems. A small bird holding a seed waits patiently to offer another chance at life. Joan Binder’s large scale Community Ofrenda is invites visitors to write the names of dearly departed on cards and add them to the ofrenda (offering).
arts Z
“Untitled” by David Weaver
Two more serious works addressing cross-border migration include Alvaro Enciso’s Those Who Walked North #3 and Barbara Brandel’s collage painting, Small Paper Shrine that she created “in remembrance of the devastatingly dangerous and sad situation that is faced by border crossers and their families.” One especially compelling work is Untitled by David Weaver, created as a “layers and separations photographic process.” It depicts a top-hatted robber baron calavera with a cigar in his mouth. One wonders: Is that the American middle-class disappearing between those corporate teeth? Johnson expounds on his view of the art: “The traditions inherent to Día de los Muertos are so rich and vivid, and the celebratory light that these observances shed on life and death are an inspiring force that I feel emanating from each of these works.” On the actual day of the dead, Nov. 1, Tohono Chul Park hosts a Park After Dark event, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., which will include music by Rafael Moreno and Descarga, calavera face painting, Mexican food and drink, in addition to the artwork showing in Tohono Chul’s Main Gallery. Admission to the event is $10 for the general public, $5 for members and free for children under 13-years-old. n Tohono Chul is located at 7366 N. Paseo del Norte and its galleries are open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $10, adults; $5, students with ID & active military; $8, seniors (62+); $3 children 5-12. For further details, visit TohonoChulPark.org or call (520) 742-6455. October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 27
Z arts
From the Feminine Perspective by CJ Shane
“Havana Housing” by Moira Geoffrion
"92,955,807.273 mi" by Kathryn Polk
“Insight Oriented II” (detail) by Barbara Penn 30 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
The fall season at Davis Dominguez Gallery opened late last month with a showcase of various artistic mediums, created by the fairer gender and aptly titled Focus - Five Women Artists. Co-owners Mike Dominguez and Candice Davis explain how the all-woman exhibit came about. “Mike teaches at the Learning Curve,” Davis says, “and this year he is giving a lecture series on women artists, Beyond Georgia and Frida. That gave us the idea.” Dominguez adds that his lectures are about “how women have not gotten the spotlight like male counterparts.” Davis Dominguez Gallery presented its first woman-only exhibit, Women’s Work, thirty five years ago, only three years after the gallery first opened. “The status of women artists has been changing since then,” says Dominguez. The artists in this show are “all are accomplished, professional, and forceful artists,” says Dominguez. The exhibit includes pieces by sculptor Julia Andres, painter Moira Geoffrion, fiber artist Claire Park, painter Barbara Penn, and lithographer Kathryn Polk. “We usually feature painters and sculptors,” adds Davis, “but this year we also invited Kathryn Polk. Her work is exceptional and remarkable.” Polk is known for her unusual process of working from dark to light when creating her lithographs. “Most lithographers go light to dark,” she explains. Imagery in her work is “based on the perspective of the woman looking out on the world – she’s the non-indigenous woman, the character who is the homogenized version of all the women in my family.” Polk’s work, 92,955,807.273 mi, (“the distance from the sun,” said Polk), is also called Icarus. “I always put women in traditional men’s roles. A lot of things are from the man’s eyes. As an artist I take liberties and reinvent things through a woman’s perspective.” A connection to her mother explains why Barbara Penn paints on pellon instead of on paper or canvas. Pellon is a heavier fabric that adds firmness to lighter-weight fabrics. “My mother taught me to sew,” says Penn. “My big paintings are a connection to my mother.” Penn is showing work related to seniors and aging. “These are my first paintings after my mother’s death.” Penn also addresses the creative process in her work for the exhibit. “If you don’t have the element of play, and if everything is analytical, you can’t get anything going. In the end, it involves a kind of letting go and giving over to the creative.” Painter Moire Geoffrion’s first series of paintings in the exhibit is based on her recent trip to Cuba. She describes Cuba as “very stimulating for me as an artist… the paintings reflect the visual experience that I had when I was there.” The only other experience she’s had similar to Cuba, says Geoffrion, was in India. Both cultures have “layers of diverse types of people, the extremely rich and poor, an ancient culture juxtaposed with the modern.” Geoffrion’s second series involves “the idea of the desert community. Everything is drawn from what I see in the desert near where I live.” Like the Cuba paintings, Geoffrion says she is expressing “the juxtaposition of layerings of culture in communities.” Fiber artist Claire Campbell Park is showing her Reflections series. “The intent of this series is to support our awareness of the holiness of life - to be an acclamation of peace, hope and faith in a world where these are easily lost; without dismissing the realities and severity of our struggles. I deeply believe in beauty. Beauty needn't be easy.” Her golden weavings, including Joy are “inspired by reflections on a ‘Book of Hours,’ and a fresco by Fra Angelico which express quiet joy and unwavering faith.” Beauty is also a theme for sculptor Julia Andres. She creates patina on bronze sculptures of fruits and vegetables, cacti, agave hearts, and other edibles. “I think fruits and vegetables are so beautiful, especially their colors. I’m a cook, and my grandfather was a Kansas farmer. The food of all cultures is so important.” Andres also incorporates haiku from Jack Kerouac in other pieces, as well as honoring the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. n The artists’ reception is Sat, Oct. 5 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. The work exhibits through Nov. 2 at 154 E. 6th St. Information at DavisDominguez.com or call 629-9759.
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 31
Z arts
Mykl Wells, “A Thin Veneer of Consciousness’ at Wee Gallery
“Wired” an exhibit featuring a fusion of glass cane and copper wire shows at Philambaum Glass Gallery and Studio starting Sat, Oct 5.
Tammy Cromer Campbell
“Holga Inspire” continues through October at ArtsEye Gallery.
art Galleries/exhibits ARTSEYE GALLERY Holga Inspire, an international traveling exhibition, con-
PHILABAUM GLASS GALLERY & STUDIO Wired, an exhibit featuring
tinues through Thu, Oct 31. Arts Eye, 3550 E. Grant Rd. 327-7291. ArtsEye.com
a fusion of glass cane and copper wire, opens Sat, Oct 5 with a reception from 5pm8pm. An open demo by collaborating artists Wes Hunting, his son Wesley Hunting and Tom Philabaum takes place Wed, Oct 2-Thu, Oct 3 from 10am-2pm. Tue- Sat; 10am-5pm. 711 S. 6th Ave. 884-7404, PhilabaumGlass.com
CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Todd Walker, Anticipating Digital continues through Sun, Oct 20. Photo Friday: Twins shows Fri, Oct 4; 11:30am-3:30pm. On the Line: Border Images from Two Perspectives shows Thu, Oct 10; 5:30pm. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat & Sun, 1pm-4pm. 1030 N. Olive Rd. 6217968, CreativePhotography.org
CONTRERAS GALLERY Levitation for Lemmings shows Sat, Oct 5-Fri, Oct 25 with a reception opening night from 6pm-9pm. Tues-Fri; 11am-5pm, Sat; 11am4pm. 110 E. 6th St. 398-6557, ContrerasHouseFineArt.com
DAVIS DOMINGUEZ GALLERY Art by Five Women Artists: Julia Andres, Moira Geoffrion, Claire Park, Barbara Penn and Kathryn Polk continues through November with a reception Sat, Oct 5; 6pm-8pm. Tue-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 154 E. 6th St. 629-9759, DavisDominguez.com
PORTER HALL GALLERY
Paintings by Donna Helms opens Thu, Oct 3. Daily; 8:30am-4pm. $13, Adults; $12, Student/ Senior/Military, $7.50, Children 4-12; Free, Children 3 and younger. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
SACRED MACHINE Santa Muerte Music and Arts Festival continues through Sun, Nov 3. Wed-Fri, 5pm-8pm; Sat, 4pm-9pm. 245 E. Congress St. 777-7403, SacredMachine.com
TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART
Degrazia’s Wild Horses continues through January. Daily, 10am-4pm. 6300 N. Swan Rd. 299-9191, DeGrazia.org
Bob Kuhn: Drawing on Instinct opens Thu, Oct 12. Common Elegance: The Still Life Paintings of William Shepherd opens Thu, Oct 12. Rock/Paper/Scissors opens Thu, Oct 12. Wed, Fri, Sat; 10am-5pm, Thu; 10am-8pm, Sun; 12pm-5pm. $10, adults; $8, seniors; $5, students 13+; free, children under 18. Free to all the first Sunday of the month. 140 N. Main Ave. 6242333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org
THE DRAWING STUDIO Seeing the Santa Ritas and Monothon 2013 show
YIKES TOYS AND GIFT-O-RAMA
DEGRAZIA GALLERY IN THE SUN
Sat, Oct 5-Sat, Oct 26 with a reception opening night from 6pm-8pm. Open for 2nd Saturdays on Sat, Oct 12; 6pm-8pm. Tue-Sat; 12pm-4pm. 33 S. 6th Ave. 620-0947, TheDrawingStudio.org
ETHERTON GALLERY
Sonnets of Light, featuring Charles Grogg, Mayme Kratz, and Masao Yamamoto, continues through November. Tue-Sat, 11am-5pm. 135 S. 6th Ave. 624-7370, EthertonGallery.com
Circus Show continues through Tue, Dec 31 and features new works by Mel Dominguez, Melissa Daye, Valerie Galloway, Sam Esmoer, Catherine Eyde, Vicki Lázaro, Nadia Walsh, and Mykl Wells. Mon- Sat; 10am-5:30pm. Yikes Toys and Gift O-Rama, 2930 E. Broadway Blvd. 320-5669, YikesToys.com
WEE GALLERY Mykl Wells Show takes place Sat, Oct 5-Thu, Oct 31. Wee Gallery, 439 N. 6th Ave Suite #171. 360-6024, GalleryWee.com
LOUIS CARLOS BERNAL GALLERY Faculty Exhibit continues through
WILDE MEYER GALLERY The Many Faces of Nature, Variations and Intro-
Fri, Oct 11. Construct: Putting it Together opens Mon, Oct 28. Mon-Thu; 10am-5pm. Fri; 10am-3pm. 2202 W. Anklam Rd. 206-6942, Pima.Edu/cfa
ductions all open Thu, Oct 3. Mon-Fri, 10am-5:30pm. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 3001 E. Skyline Dr. WildeMeyer.com
OBSIDIAN GALLERY
WOMANKRAFT ART GALLERY Illumination continues through Sat, Oct 26
Three Artists: Merry Arttoones, Magdalene Gluszek, and George Penaloza display an exhibit of ceramic sculptures Sat, Oct 5-Sun, Nov 10 with a reception opening night from 6pm-9pm. Wed-Sat; 11am-6pm. 410 N. Toole Ave. 577-3598, Obsidian-Gallery.com
32 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
with a reception on Sat, Oct 5; 7pm-10pm. 388 S. Stone Ave. 629-9976, WomanKraft.org
arts Z Photo courtesy of Pima Community College.
“Trumpet of the Swan” shows at Pima Community College Wed, Oct 2- Sun, Oct 13.
Performances ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY The Importance of Being Earnest, based on the Oscar Wilde classic, shows continues through Sat, Oct 5. The Mountaintop, a re-imagining of the events on the eve of Martin Luther King’s assassination, opens Sat, Oct 19. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 622-2823, ArizonaTheatre.org
ARIZONA FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC
Jerusalem Quartet performs Wed, Oct 16; 7:30pm and Thu, Oct 17; 3pm. TCC’s Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave. 577-3769, ArizonaChamberMusic.org
ARIZONA OPERA HMS Pinafore shows Sat, Oct 19-Sun, Oct 20. TCC’s Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. 293-4336, AZOpera.com
BALLET TUCSON
Fall Concert takes place Sat, Oct 12 and Sun, Oct 13. Under My Skin shows Fri, Oct 11-Sun, Oct 13. Dracula shows Sat, Oct 12 and Sun, Oct 13 with an opening night gala on Fri, Oct 11 featuring a silent auction, food, and entertainment. Opening night gala; $80. Other performances; $32. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. Univeristy Blvd. 903-1445, BalletTucson.org
BEOWULF ALLEY THEATRE The Little Dog Laughed shows Fri, Oct 4-Sun,
NOT BURNT OUT JUST UNSCREWED Comedy troupe performances take place weekends in October. Locations vary. 861-2986, UnscrewedComedy.com
ODAIKO SONORA The local Taiko/Japanese Ensemble Drumming group’s first full-length concert since 2009. Featuring new work and special guests. Sat., Oct. 5 at 2pm & 7:30pm. The Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd., TucsonTaiko.org
ODYSSEY STORYTELLING SERIES The Spontaneous Show takes place Thu, Oct 3. 7pm; $7. Fluxx Studios and Gallery, 416 E. 9th St. 730-4112, OdysseyStoryTelling.com
PCC THEATRE ARTS The Trumpet of the Swan shows Wed, Oct 2-Sun, Oct
Oct 20. Adults; $20, Senior, Military and Teachers; $18. 11 S. 6th Ave. 882-0555, BeowulfAlley.org
13. $8. The Power of Five performs Sun, Oct 6; 3pm. $8. Wind Ensemble performs Thu, Oct 24; 7:30pm. $6. Chorale & College Singers performs Sun, Oct 27; 3pm. $6. Recital Hall, 2202 W. Anklam Rd. 206-6670, Pima.edu/cfa
BERGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
TUCSON CONVENTION CENTER Disney on Ice-Rockin’ Ever After shows
2nd Annual Mediterranean Nights, with Guest Star Frank Farinaro, takes place Sat, Oct 5; 7:30pm. $15. Blue Alley Presents: The Sound of Music on Mon, Oct 7. Old Pueblo Brass Band performs Mon, Oct 28. 770-3762, Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. ASDB. State.AZ.US/Berger/
BLACK CHERRY BURLESQUE/RAW Tantalizing burlesque performance on Fri, Oct 4 and Fri, Oct 18; 8pm and 10pm. Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. 882-0009, TucsonBurlesque.com
BORDERLANDS THEATER Grounded, a performance regarding a female F16 fighter pilot, continues through Sun, Oct 13. Zuzi’s Theater, 738 N. 5th Ave. $12-$20. 882-7406, BorderlandsTheater.org
BROADWAY IN TUCSON Sister Act shows Tue, Oct 8-Sun, Oct 13. Prices Vary. UA Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. 903-2929, BroadwayInTucson.com
CARNIVAL OF ILLUSION
Shows continue through October. Tucson Double Tree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way. 615-5299, CarnivalOfIllusion.com
FOX THEATRE Sittin’ with Jim Messina & Friends takes place Sun, Oct 6; 2pm. Spank: A Fifty Shades Parody shows Tue, Oct 8; 7:30pm. Idan Raichel Project takes place Wed, Oct 9; 7:30pm. World Blues with Taj Mahal shows Sat, Oct 12; 7:30pm. Arturo Sandoval performs Sat, Oct 19; 8pm. Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder perform Sun, Oct 20; 7pm. Paul Rodriguez performs Thu, Oct 24. Prices Vary. Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org
Thu, Oct 10-Sun, Oct 13. Prices Vary. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. TucsonConventionCenter.org
TUCSON JAZZ SOCIETY Delphine Cortez with Joel Robin Quintet performs Sun, Oct 6; 7pm. Kitty Margolis: Straight Up with A Twist performs Sun, Oct 13; 7pm. Joe Bourne: The Music of Motown and Other Gems of that Era performs Sun, Oct 20; 7pm. St. Philips Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave. The Sounds of Shearing takes place at Westin La Paloma Resort on Sun, Oct 27; 7pm. $30 in advance, $35 at the door. 903-1265, TucsonJazz.org
TUCSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Victorious Shastakovich shows Fri, Oct 4 and Sun, Oct 6. Pinocchio shows Sat, Oct 5. An Evening of Pink Floyd takes place Fri, Oct 11. A Classic Conversation takes place Sat, Oct 19 and Sun, Oct 20. Hacienda Del Sol performs Sat, Oct 26. Rach 2 Rochmaninoff performs Fri, Oct 25 and Sun, Oct 27. See website for times and prices. TCC’s Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. 882-8585, TucsonSymphony.org
UA’S ARIZONA REPERTORY THEATRE
Boeing Boeing continues through Sun, Oct 13. The Fantasticks opens Sun, Oct 20. Marroney Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Rd. 621-1162, TFTV.Arizona.Edu
UA PRESENTS Red Baraat performs Fri, Oct 4; 8pm. Arturo Sandoval performs Sat, Oct 19; 8pm. Lang Lang performs Tue, Oct 22; 7:30pm. UA Dance performs Fri, Oct 25- Sat, Oct 26 and Thu, Oct 31. Prices vary. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. 621-3341, UAPresents.org
THE GASLIGHT THEATRE Buccaneers Caribbean continues through Sun,
WINDING ROAD THEATRE ENSEMBLE A Fundraiser to Benefit Wind-
Nov 10. Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. 886-9428, TheGaslightTheatre.com
ing Road’s 2013-2014 Season takes place Sun, Oct 20; 5pm-8pm. $25-$40. Amber Restaurant, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Rd. 749-3800, WindingRoadTheater.org
LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe continues through Sat, Oct 5. The Great Zantini and the Magic Thief continues through Sun, Nov 24. Souvenir opens Thu, Oct 10. See website for prices and times. Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. 327-4242, LiveTheatreWorkshop.org
ZUZI! DANCE COMPANY No Frills- Cheap Thrills Dance Happenin’ takes place Fri, Oct 25- Sat, Oct 26. Prices Vary. Zuzi’s Little Theater, 738 N. 5th Ave. 629-0237, ZUZIMoveIt.org
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 35
Z locally owned by Miguel Ortega
We Call The Shots:
Because, You Know, We Kinda Live Here Seriously, I have had it with non-Tucsonans mocking our city and telling us what to do. I’m done with it. It is one thing to work together on a regional vision. After all, Baja Arizona unites us! However, it is a completely different deal when it comes to getting constantly dogged by some of our neighbors residing in the Foothills or in towns like Oro Valley and Marana. Lately, we have heard from a small, loud bunch that seem to always know what is best for us Tucsonans and it really bugs me. I bet it bugs you too. I can see them now sitting on their fancy decks, sipping wine and munching on caviar, looking down at us in the Old Pueblo with disapproval.
You like that? The wine and the caviar? Pretty over the top and outrageous, right? Kind of like when neighborhood advocates get described as pitchfork wielding members of mobs on the brink of guerrilla warfare? So, before I really get into my frustration with our backseat driving, non-Tucson leadership, let’s get real: The truth is that many non-Tucsonans don’t have time to contemplate on any such decks, especially the hard working people that own businesses in our city. The vast majority of these business owners are good people, pumping money into our local economy and, in turn, funding our roads, schools and public safety through the sales taxes they generate. And the neighborhood advocates often seen as reincarnations of Che Guevara? Well, guess what? Many are actually business owners as well. The rest of us civilians not only want a strong, local economy, we depend on it. As every day Tucsonans just trying to live our lives, we are the most constant and loyal patronizers of our neighborhood shops and the direct beneficiaries of what results from plentiful sales taxes. You want business friendly? Live in Tucson and buy stuff. That’s pretty business friendly, I would say. So, really, neighborhoods residents and business owners alike are too
continued on page 38 36 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 37
continued from page 36
Miguel Ortega is an independent business development consultant. His radio program, “Locally Owned with Miguel Ortega,” airs on KVOI 1030AM every Saturday at 11 a.m. Also listen to his radio columns on KXCI 91.3FM and follow his blog at LocallyOwnedAZ.com. 38 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
Blue Moon Community Garden by CJ Shane Blue Moon Community Garden is a jewel among gardens. It is an award-winning garden, is completely accessible to disabled gardeners, it boasts a water harvesting system, and it is located next to Tucson House, a high rise apartment building for low-income, handicapped, and elderly residents. Situated at 1501 N. Oracle Rd., near the Oracle and Drachman intersection, Blue Moon exists in a “food desert,” miles from grocery stores. The garden can provide neighborhood gardeners with high quality fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be unavailable to them. The garden is unique because it has cement block raised beds, “table” beds, and the traditional ground-level beds, according to Blue Moon coordinator Dorothy Weichbrod. “The table beds are made for the wheel-chair bound. Beds are raised for varying degrees of disability,” she adds. “The beds have a special width that makes it possible to reach into the middle of the bed. The centers of the beds are deep where root plants can be grown, and around the border is for plants with shallower roots like lettuce.” Everyone in the neighborhood is welcomed to have a plot at Blue Moon, but most of the plots are currently being used by residents of Tucson House. Water harvesting is one of the features at Blue Moon. There is a 15,000 gallon water cistern on site, from which the beds are irrigated. Weichbrod says that the fee for a bed, including irrigation, is set according to income. Currently the fee schedule is $6, $12 or $18 each month. “The $6 and $12 plots are funded by scholarships raised by the Community Gardens of Tucson’s Board (of Directors).” CGT provides scholarships to low-income gardeners who apply for all of Tucson’s community gardens. Blue Moon Community Garden developed as part of the City of Tucson’s Oracle Area Revitalization, according to Gina Chorover, a lead urban planner for the City and also chair of the Community Gardens of Tucson. The area was identified as a food desert, says Chorover, by the Drachman Institute at the University of Arizona. photo: Gina Chorover
busy and have too much in common to perpetuate caricatures and fire up division. That job belongs to politicians and, most unfortunately, many vocal people who don’t even live here! You would be surprised at how many CEOs and department heads in local government or executives of businesses organizations don’t live in Tucson. Many Tucsonans don’t even know that important decisions are being made all the time by regional governing bodies while Tucson has one representative with only one vote to advocate on our behalf. Seriously. That means that if tiny Sahuarita forms a political alliance with, say, Marana, that town could easily garner enough votes to go against Tucson’s interests. That is right, the great but few people of Sahuarita could yield more power over Tucson, a city of over half a million citizens. That’s because these votes aren’t weighted according to city population. Nothing against the good people from the Town of Sauarita. More power to them, I guess. Literally. All I am saying is Tucsonans have the right to self-determination. That means we get to call the shots. We live with the important decisions that are made about our city, not those that live outside our city limits. We are the ones that should lead the discussion about what happens to us. You don’t get to come to dinner and dictate what we actually eat for dinner, right? You can bring a bottle of wine or dessert. You make suggestions on what is good, how to cook a few dishes. You can even hang around as long as you want. But, in our house, we make the important decisions about dinner, thank you very much. Yes, we do need to hear good ideas on how to make our city a greater place to live and voices from through our region are important. But, brother, if you are going to get nasty, if you are going to mock us openly, hatefully, if you are going to keep given us that “Tucson-is-oneheart-beat-away-from-becoming-Detroit” rhetoric, if you are going to challenge our very right to self-determine the direction this city should go in - you know, because we are tax paying citizens that are actually eligible to vote, because, you know, we kind of live here - then you better at least be packing a U-Haul this weekend and moving down here within Tucson city limits with the rest of us. Sound good, my most valued, out of town neighbor? I’’ll bring the moving boxes. Ok. I feel better now. n
Z community
At that time, “the nearest grocery store was several miles away and a large percentage of people in the area did not have access to a vehicle. Bus service also stopped early on weekdays, preventing people from easily getting to the grocery store.” Project funding for the garden came from a grant, a University of Arizona Landscape Architecture studio class developed the concept, and Norris Design of Tucson designed the garden which opened in March 2012. Chorover says the garden has won two awards already. “The first is from the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the design, and a second award is from the State Housing office. And I just heard we have won a third award from another housing agency.” She adds, “The garden has been a wonderful success in terms of the participation by the Tucson House residents. We would like more participation from the surrounding neighborhood.” The garden’s coordinator, Dorothy Weichbrod, also has a plot. “I’m in transition now. I have tomatoes, okra, basil, oregano, jalapeno, and eggplant. But I’m emptying the bed, and I’m planning to plant beets, onions, garlic, Swiss chard, spinach, and sweet potatoes. I’m producing food for my use and to share. My garden plot keeps me in organic food, and it brings my food bill down. I enjoy gardening.” What does Blue Moon Community Garden need now? “Volunteers” is Weichbrod’s answer. “We just had a group of 16 engineering students from the University of Arizona, a group called Engineers without Borders, who weeded the garden. They worked hard! “The difference between our garden and others is that we have landscaping and an orchard. The participants have limitations. We don’t have the manpower to take care of landscaping. We still need composting done.” Helping the disabled gardeners is always welcome at Blue Moon Community Garden. “My main job as I see it,” Weichbrod adds, “is to build community with the people we have, to communicate with each other, to have a newsletter. We welcome everyone.” n To learn more about Tucson’s community gardens, visit CommunityGardensofTucson.org.
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 39
40 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
Brewing Arizona
food&drink Z
A Century of Beer in the Grand Canyon State by Ed Sipos, University of Arizona Press (2013) , 360 pages. by Dan Rylander Ed Sipos knows his ales from stouts, lagers from pilsners, and Belgium whites from IPAs. Sipos is also a member of the Brewery Collectibles Club of America - an organization dedicated to the support of the hobby of collecting brewing memorabilia. Think weird beer cans or bottles. Is the brand no longer sold? The labeling cool? Chances are that Ed Sipos knows something about the beer that went into the bottle or can. And now Ed Sipos has done something no one else has done for Arizona – he’s written the brewing history of Arizona beers. In his forthcoming book, Sipos covers the states’ beguiling historic figures and their amazing ups and downs, their responses to the rising and falling economies – tied to politics – to tell the story of Arizona brewing all the way to the current state of brewing; from the pioneer beginnings, through Prohibition, the 40s, 50s and 60s, on through to the current state of brewing in Arizona, replete with microbreweries and craft beer successes and failures. Sipos’ meticulous and entertaining volume will convince you that beer and Arizona history are deeply intertwined. Arizona likes beer. Tucson liked beer so much that Arizona’s first commercial brewery was established in Tucson in 1864. Alexander “Boss” Levin’s Pioneer Brewery persevered through water issues (from the Rillito River, now a usually dry wash smelling of bat guano), Indian attacks, and transportation issues (warm beer delivered to mine sites by mule train), until the arrival of the railroad – which brought in bottled beers that generally shut down the pioneer era local breweries. Levin operated breweries and sold his beer at establishments in the heart of Tucson. His first brewery was located Downtown between Church and Stone Avenues on Camp Street (now Broadway Boulevard). Later, with his wife Zenobia, Levin opened retail establishment, Park Brewery, on the western end of Pennington Street that offered everything from ice to concerts. The building had a rock walled basement, which assisted in at least chilling the beer somewhat, as 1873 Tucson was decidedly prerefrigeration. After the train’s arrival in 1880, business went downhill as lower priced transported beer became available, and the establishment closed in 1886. The state’s most successful operation was the Arizona Brewing Company. The Phoenix-based operation churned suds during the 30s, 40s and 50s; its signature brand A-1was distributed throughout Arizona, New
Mexico, west Texas, Nevada, southern Colorado and parts of California. Advertising by supporting a woman’s softball and men’s baseball team, they also promoted their product by getting in on the new communications medium, television, including “A-1 Sports Highlights,” on Phoenix station KPHO. Eventually purchased by the Carling Brewing Company, the brewery ended its run in 1985. But as regional breweries were swallowed by big breweries over the decades, America was hankering for beers that had flavor! Interestingly, the bland nature of the big American brewery mainstream’s light lagers may be partially traced to World War II grain rationing, which meant that barley was hard to come by. The resulting use of corn and rice in brewing produced lighter lagers and, for many decades and even to this today, has influenced taste. By the 70s, large breweries producing a fairly insipid product dominated the industry. The first sign of change was the home-brewing movement. Brewing ones’ own beer, left illegal after Prohibition was repealed, was made legal in October 1978 by President Jimmy Carter’s signature. Home-brewing in turn inspired micro-breweries and brew pubs in the 1980s to produce craft beers in-house. Today, we may take Tucson’s abundantly available micro-brewed beers for granted. But the first operating Tucson microbrewery, Southwest Brewing Company, didn’t arrive until 1988 and was gone by 1990. Others have been as fleeting. Hats off to Gentle Ben’s - which has been brewing increasingly tasty products since 1991 on University Avenue, with a short stoppage to relocate the operation in the mid-nineties; and with its delightful expansion to Barrio Brewing on 16th Street in 2007. Nimbus Brewing Company has been continuously operating since 1997. Try their Dirty Guera, a delicious naughty blonde that can be found at select grocers and liquor stores. Sipos dedicates over one hundred thirty five pages to the byzantine rise and fall of brewpubs and microbreweries all over the Arizona. What is most impressive is what motivates this creation, the continuously fermenting entrepreneurial desire to try and make a brew that tastes good and will sell.n Brewing Arizona – A Century of Beer in the Grand Canyon State releases on Oct. 17; the launch party and book signing is Nov. 2, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., at Barrio Brewing Company, 800 E. 16th St. Visit BrewingArizona.com for more details.
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 41
Z food&drink
Cocktail Competition Margaritas that go well beyond blended or on the rocks. by Emily Gindlesparger There are several origin tales that lay claim to being the 1940s bar that first concocted the margarita, and its birthplace hops all over the border. Some say it was Acapulco or El Paso or Juarez or San Diego. But the oldest story, and my personal favorite, goes something like this: during Prohibition, Americans crossed into Mexico looking for booze and were greeted with tequila. A popular drink called the “Daisy” sported orange liqueur, lime, and brandy, with the with the agave hooch substituting the brandy. Thus, the margarita (Spanish for daisy) was born. Today, Tucson lays claim to the World Margarita Championship, and on Oct. 25 the Tucson Museum of Art's outside courtyard will be buzzing with people sampling unique margaritas from over 15 contenders and later casting their votes for the best margarita. So while businesses have to be part of the Tucson Originals to compete, making the “World” Margarita Championship a bit of a misnomer, at least history and geography have set Tucson in prime real estate to claim the title. Regardless of its origins, tequila shines in this drink like brandy never would. “All tequilas are a little different,” explains Ryan Clark, head chef at Lodge on the Desert. “Some may be more aged, more subtle, might even have some smoky notes to them. I think balancing the cocktail with that is really important.” The reigning champion has been hard at work on this year's secret weapon for months. With his team at Lodge on the Desert, he won last year with a margarita spiked with house-made pomegranate jam and local pomegranate vinegar. This year, his star ingredient is a little darker. “Salt cured black limes,” Clark explains. “We boiled limes with salt water and sun dried them in the beautiful Tucson sun. They have a bitter, salty citrus note to them, which is kind of our big thing at the Lodge, making a sweet, sour and bitter mix and balancing all those flavors.” Other heavyweights in the competition include mixologists from the Marinaterra Resort in San Carlos, Mexico - though not a part of Tucson Originals, they were specifically invited by the organizers. Marinaterra Resort head bartender Julio Blanco’s mastery with tequila earned him the Peoples’ Choice Award the last two years running; last year’s winning potion was laced with tajin chile and mango. In the midst of the libations, Tucson Originals restaurants serve wellmatched nosh, and the live music by Reno del Mar gets better with every cocktail. The Margarita Championship’s popularity has grown, and now in its seventh year organizers expect a crowd tipping 1,000. Proceeds go to the Blair Charity Group. But no matter who wins: “It’s pulling hairs,” Clark adds. “After all, it’s tequila.” The most exciting thing about the competition is the innovation and creativity on display. “I think Tucson is a big trend-setting town, and we have some great mixologists,” says Clark. “To see what they’re coming up with and what trends they’re setting for the nation is unbelievable.” n The championship happens on Friday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., at Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. Tickets are $50 advance, $60 at the door. Get more information, and tickets, at TucsonOriginals.com/culinaryfestival or call (520) 343-9985. 42 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
Photo by Mamta Popat, courtesy of Food Conspiracy Co-op.
food&drink Z Rose’s Pickled Produce, as featured in Tucson Cooks, the new cookbook by the Food Conspiracy Co-op.
Backyard to Table
The Food Conspiracy Co-op’s foodshed gets closer to home. Along with the fall harvest, the Food Conspiracy Co-op is bringing in some exciting happenings, and just in time for October’s National Co-op Month. Among the most important are the first crops going into the new urban micro farm in the Co-op’s backyard, where a rainwater harvesting system was installed in August with the help of a grant from the city. “It always seemed like the logical thing to do,” explains Coley Ward, marketing director at the Co-op. “We had that plot of land and thought, what are we going to do with it? I guess we could have turned it into parking,” he says, half-joking. “But this is something that’s going to be new and unique.” However logical, it’s an exciting and unprecedented step: many co-ops across the country have educational gardens, but the produce doesn’t necessarily make it to the shelves inside. Conversely, there are many farm stands where producers sell directly, but they’re not cooperatives. The Food Conspiracy garden will be a workshop space for Tucsonans to learn about urban gardening, but it will also adapt the farm-to-table concept to a compact urban lifestyle. Kale, basil and salad greens will not only adorn the produce shelves, but will be folded into a backyard-to-table operation in the Food Conspiracy kitchen. In addition to herbs and vegetables, the garden will be lined with citrus trees and edible landscaping. “I think people will be amazed at just how much food we’ll be able to grow on a side plot,” Ward adds. Indeed, they hope to produce roughly 7,500 pounds of produce a year, at about 3 pounds per square foot. “We are all about local food,” Ward says, “and it doesn’t get more local than growing your own.” While the Conspiracy kitchen’s delicacies might get even more amaz-
by Emily Gindlesparger
ing with their garden ingredients, they’ll also get sweeter with the knowledge you can make them at home from recipes in the newly released Tucson Cooks. The new cookbook, available at the Co-op, Antigone Books and Tucson Tamale Company, includes some of the Conspiracy kitchen favorites alongside dishes and treats from Sleeping Frog, Walking J, and Forever Yong Farms, Rex’s Perogies and Exo Roast and others. Locally printed at Action Printing and photographed by Arizona Daily Star photographer Mamta Popat, the book gathers 26 of Tucson’s favorite recipes into one handy book. There’s something new to eat, new to read and new to watch: the Co-op is teaming up with The Loft Cinema to screen Food for Change, a documentary about the rise of food cooperatives in America. Sponsored by 40 co-ops across the country, including our own, the movie delves into the history and the impact that sustainable food cooperatives have on their communities, and the vibrant alternative options they present to the conventional agricultural machine. The film will be shown Oct. 27 at 5 p.m., with tickets available through The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. or LoftCinema.com. And if that’s not enough, you can now fill up growlers with Dragoon and Barrio brews to take home. And in celebration of National Co-op month, signing up for a new Food Conspiracy membership this month gets you a $10 gift card, a tote bag, and a 1-year membership to Native Seeds/ SEARCH. It’s an inspiring time to join the abundance at the Co-op. n Food Conspiracy Co-op is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 412 N. 4th Ave. Visit FoodConspiracy.coop or call 624-4821 for inquires. October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 43
Z food&drink
The Good Oak Bar Opens on Congress Street by Emily Gindlesparger The Good Oak Bar is now a reality. Up until a few weeks ago, the space on Congress – between the new Diablo Burger and the established Rialto Theatre – was still being completed, and was gloriously punctuated by the scent of oak dust. Fittingly, since the name Good Oak bar comes from Gary Nabhan’s interpretation of Arizona’s namesake: the Basque words “aritz onac,” for “place of the good oak,” which became garbled into “Arizona,” and in like fashion you too can garble your words at the Good Oak Bar. The cozy corners have taken shape and the bar front and vestibule are fashioned from reclaimed wood, roughly 70-years-old, saved from some buildings previously on the Northern Arizona University campus. Derrick Widmark brought the Diablo Burger concept from Flagstaff to Tucson this summer to expand the connections between the local culture and the local foodsheds in Arizona, and with the Good Oak Bar he’s ready to take that idea a step further with what he calls “local foods based pub fare. “The idea is to broaden our local food footprint and use the palate of pub fare to open up our relationships with local farmers and ranchers,” Widmark explains. With a tight but variable menu based off pub standards like shepherd’s pie or a classic pulled pork sandwich, Good Oak can accommodate the variety of meats and heirloom foods that producers bring to the table. “And maybe some folks will have to come in and sip a pint while they look at the blackboard specials,” Widmark quips. At the heart of Good Oak is a rotating selection of Arizona beers curated by Blake Collins, the home-brew prodigy turned master brewer for Borderlands. The wine cellar is commanded by Kassie Killebrew, who also concocts beer and wine based cocktails for the more spirit-inclined. As an example, Widmark describes a dream in a glass: imagine fresh peaches from Sleeping Frog Farms, muddled in a light summer beer with a spritz of seltzer. 44 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
“Refreshing and local,” Widmark describes, “that’s what we’ll try to do. I think the idea is to give people an option who wouldn’t normally drink just beer or wine, but it also further defines the craftiness of the bar.” Widmark says that “with the narrowness of its focus, Good Oak has an opportunity to create a craft wine destination that’s bold and unique,” and parenthetically he adds, “without trying too hard to be either of those things.” The hardest thing Widmark is trying to do, it turns out, is create the kind of bar that deserves to be on Congress, next to the historic Rialto Theatre. In the interceding time between opening Diablo Burger this summer and now following it with Good Oak, “it’s given me more time to think about, ‘what kind of bar does Tucson want in that space?’” In the light of a tongue-in-cheek discussion to “Keep Tucson Shitty,” Widmark says that “I was drawn to Tucson because of the same qualities of authenticity and character that are being discussed there. I value that sense of place, and I’m committed to trying to deliver that in a heartfelt and unpretentious way.” And so, here it is: comfort food and libations with a Tucson and Arizona focus. The finishing touches to the bar include an original section of Old Pueblo Trolly track salvaged during Tucson’s streetcar construction, and a giant “Tucson” mural, spelled backwards as if you were standing behind a classic building sign. As for an authentic sense of place, Widmark says that he’s discovered one of the original tenants of the space he’s inherited, the Sunshine Climate Club of Tucson. He’s created a homage to the club that you’ll see as soon as you walk in the door. n Good Oak Bar is now open at 4pm everyday at 316 E. Congress St. Find Good Oak Bar under the locations tab at DiabloBurger.com.
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 45
46 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
fashion Z
The Black Boot by Sydney Ballesteros I know I am not the only desert dweller that is anxious to have a taste of our fabulous “winter” season here in the old pueblo. Put the sandals away for a little while and strap on some boots. Whatever your personal choice of style or go-to boot is, it goes without saying that the basic black boot remains a universal staple piece of fall + winter’s wardrobe. It’s always ready, available and willing to accomodate anything in your closet. In other words, a classic black boot goes with everything! Here is a list of styles to fit just about every style personality and any look that you can put together, all season long! So the question is, which go-to boot are you? TIP: a comfortable and slightly broken in boot is always an alternative and affordable idea, check in with some of our lovely curated local vintage shops to see what they have in boot selections for the coming season. Shop a few of my favorite places to score a one-of-a-kind find! Desert Vintage: 636 N. 4th Avenue How Sweet it Was Vintage: 419. N. 4th Ave. Razzle Dazzle: 3402 E. Grant Rd. Ozma Atelier: 439 N. 6th Ave. #171 Buffalo Exchange: 250 E. Congress St., 2001 E. Speedway Blvd., and 6212 E. Speedway Blvd. Sydney Ballesteros is a Creative Director and Stylist. Visit her website at sydneyballesteros.com
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 47
Z fashion
Tucson Fashion Week by Yekatherina Bruner This fall, Tucson fashion enthusiasts can enjoy one of the most anticipated designer events of the year. Tucson Fashion Week (TFW) hits the scene Oct. 17-19, in a glorious three day blaze of style, art and cuisine. Celebrity guest appearances by designer Betsey Johnson and Project Runway designer Bert Keeter are the icing on the cake. Through fashion events, charitable partnerships, unique experiences and iconic collaborations, TFW is putting Tucson on the national fashion and retail landscape. Creative Directors Paula Taylor and Melanie Sutton of the House of PM have taken the event to the next level by producing a series of outstanding showcases that provide a professional platform for emerging designers, independent retailers and established companies to present their work locally and nationally to consumers, buyers and industry leaders. Tucson Fashion Week kicks off on Oct. 17 with a special gathering of its creative team, sponsors, designers and guests at the beautiful Tucson Desert Art Museum, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Guests will have the opportunity to view the museum's historic collection of Native American art and textiles as well as the Designer Fashion Presentation and Student Textile Competition, showcasing exceptional fabric designs created photos: Handmade designer fashion jewelry by Bowman & Hock will be featured at Tucson Fashion Week - “The Runway Wrap-up & Fashion Presentation Awards Party� at La Encantada Sat, Oct 19 2013 4:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.
Photos: Ali Megan
by students from Pima Community College, and the Art Institute of Tucson. An inspired fashion presentation will feature the works of local designers, Jan Traficanti of Belsita Couture, Esteban Osuna, and Desert Vintage. The second evening, Oct. 18, hosts the Premiere Runway & Ensemble Presentation at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., benefiting The University of Arizona Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing and The Center for American Culture & Ideas. This extraordinary evening begins with The Lounge by Playground featuring fun food and drinks and fashion presentations installed by local designers teamed up with hair and makeup artists and a mixologist. Highlighting the talents of some of Tucson's top mixologists, guests will enjoy cocktails and culinary creations inspired by original Betsey Johnson collections. A premiere presentation and runway show sponsored by Mercedes Benz of Tucson will follow, showcasing the collections of nationally renowned designers Betsey Johnson, Donni Charm and Frans Braveria as well as that of emerging local and regional designers, Cybil White of Julia Love, Laura Tanzer, Elizabeth Denneau (Albert) of Candy Strike, Too Strong USA and Oceana Kim. The last evening, Oct. 19, is The Runway Wrap-Up & Fashion Presentation Awards Party at La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr., highlighting national designer Nicholas K, emerging designers, local retailers and celebrity guest designer Bert Keeter from Project Runway. Awards will be presented to the winners of Friday's Premiere Runway and Ensemble event. n 48 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
For tickets, times and complete details, visit TucsonFashionWeek.com.
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 49
50 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
photo: Elizabeth L. Gilbert
film Z “The Last Safari,” directed by UofA alumni Matt Goldman.
On the Road: An Intersection of Music & Film by Herb Stratford In the hands of a good filmmaker, music and film are powerful storytelling partners. The 9th annual Tucson Film and Music Festival (TFMF), un-spooling Oct. 10-13, has once again compiled compelling stories that highlight the intersection of music, film and the human experience. With a line-up featuring Arizona premiere screenings as well as a few Southwestern premieres, festival honcho Michael Toubassi and his crew are bringing intriguing tales to Tucson that shine a light on the travails of the road and the toll it can take on the musicians who spend so much time traveling it. This year’s opening night documentary, We Always Lie To Strangers, is a fascinating look at the world of Branson, Missouri and the musical families who have built their living performing for tourists. The interconnected family drama that plays out behind the curtain in this film is both poetic and a bit sad - not at all glamorous as one might believe it to be. A standout favorite at this spring’s SXSW film fest, the movie is by director AJ Schnack, who made the documentary Kurt Cobain: About A Son, among other films. Schnack brings his unique vision of Branson’s entertainers to the screen with brutal and potent honesty. I Am Not A Rock Star is an equally captivating documentary by director Bobbi Jo Hart that follows classical pianist Marika Bournaki, from age 9 to 20, as she navigates the difficult path to fame and the toll it takes on her family and everything else in her life. Fame and glory come at what cost? A staggering reminder of the dues paid by child prodigies, this unflinching documentary should be seen by every stage parent. Festival director Toubassi is “excited about everything” on the schedule, and particularly proud of the perfect storm of films that all coalesced around the theme of travel, movement, the road and music. With any festival, the unknowns of what will be submitted hold programmers hostage,
but this year a strong group of films came in that address these topics poignantly. Other films of note include: • The Last Safari, a documentary that tracks a photographer’s quest through Africa to revisit people she had photographed years ago and the journey's trials and tribulations. • Don’t Follow Me (I’m Lost) is a “gritty” tour film about folk rocker Bobby Bare Jr. • If We Shout Loud Enough, a documentary about the Baltimore punk scene and the band Double Dagger, is a gem for punk fans. But it’s not just big film festival feature-length movies on this year’s schedule. A robust shorts program is also on tap, showcasing both local work as well as submitted films and music videos; it is a great opportunity to see local filmmakers' creations on the big screen. The TFMF has developed a reputation for presenting films and stories that are strongly character driven and unique; examples are last year’s standouts Strutter and History of Future Folk. These festivals are often the only place to experience films of this nature, and the focus on music as a key element in the films is an homage to the strong relationship of film and music in Tucson. n Tucson Film And Music Festival screenings are at three different locations. Opening night is Thursday, Oct. 10 at La Cocina, 201 N. Court Ave., and features live music. The following night’s screenings are at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Saturday and Sunday’s screenings are at the Century El Con 20 Cinema, 3601 E. Broadway Blvd. Visit TucsonFilmandMusicFestival.com for the complete schedule and ticket information. October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 51
“Pitbull” performs at AVA Ampitheater on Thu, Oct 24.
“Kimie” performs at the Rialto Theatre on Wed, Oct 23.
LIVE MUSIC 2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN Congress Street, 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com Sat 12: Dan Green & The Dive Bombers, Belly Dance Tucson, The Mission Creeps, The Swigs
AVA AMPHITHEATER at Casino Del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Rd. CasinoDelSol.com Fri 11: Vince Neil Sat 12: Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Ramon Ayala & Pancho Barraza Thu 24: Pitbull Sat 25: Desert Bluegrass Festival
BORDERLANDS BREWING 119 E. Toole Ave. 261-8773, BorderlandsBrewing.com Thu 3: JMC & His Wooden Hearts Fri 4: Tortolita Gutpluckers Sat 5: Mustang Corners Wed 9: Tesoro Duo Fri 11: The Tryst Sat 12: The Long Wait Sun 13: V Lundon and Tell Me Something Good & Roll Acosta Wed 16: Tommy Tucker Thu 17: The Determined Luddites Fri 18: The Sundowners Sat 19: Chris Black Wed 23: Kyle Bronsdon Thu 24: The HypnoGogs and Sock!Fight Fri 25: Joe Novelli Sat 26: Bob Einweck & Amos Tompkins Wed 30: Nicolas Moog
Photo courtesy of Billboard.com
Photo by Brooke Dombroski
“Dustbowl Revival” performs at Sea of Glass on Sat, Oct 19.
Photo courtesy of GlobalChangeMultiMedia.org
Z tunes
BOONDOCKS LOUNGE
CLUB CONGRESS
3306 N. 1st Ave. 690-0991, BoondocksLounge.com Mondays: The Bryan Dean Trio Tuesdays: Lonny’s Lucky Poker Wednesdays in July: Titan Valley Warheads Thursdays: Ed Delucia Trio Sundays: Lonny’s Lucky Poker Night Fri 4: Live music with Neon Prophet Sat 5: Equinox Sun 6: Lonny’s Lucky Poker, Heather Hardy & Lil’ Mama Band Sat 12: The Coolers Sun 13: Lonny’s Lucker Poker Fri 18: Live music with Neon Prophet Sat 19: Wayback Machine Sun 20: Annual Post Blues Festival, Lonny’s Lucky Poker Night Sun 27: Last Call Girls, Lonny’s Luckey Poker Night
311 E. Congress St. 622-8848, HotelCongress.com/club Tue 1: Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers Wed 2: Fuzz Thu 3: He’s My Brother She’s My Sister Tue 8: HoundMouth Wed 9: Pure X Tue 15: Burgerama Caravan of Stars Tour Tue 22: Holy Ghost Wed 23: Tim Kasher of Cursive Thu 24: Stephane Wrembel Tue 29: Mellowhigh Wed 30: Golden Youth Thu 31: Werewolf Bar Mitzvah
CAFE PASSE 415 N. 4th Ave. 624-4411, CafePasse.com Wednesdays: Jazz Wednesday w/ Matt Mitchell Thursdays: Songwriter Thursdays w/ Lori LeChain Fridays: Blues Fridays w/ Tom Walbank and Roman Barten Sherman Saturdays: Country Saturdays Fri 11: Jimmy Carr & The Awkward Moments Sat 12: Bouncing Czechs Fri 18: Jimmy Carr & The Awkward Moments Sat 19: Bouncing Czechs
52 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
CUSHING STREET BAR & RESTAURANT 198 W. Cushing St. 622-7984, CushingStreet.com Saturdays: Jazz
FOX TUCSON THEATRE 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org Sun 6: Sittin’ with Jim Messina and Friends Sat 12: World Blues with Taj Mahal Sat 19: Arturo Sandoval Sun 20: Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder Thu 24: Paul Rodriguez
LA COCINA 201 N. Court Ave. 622-0351, LaCocinaTucson.com Wednesdays: Miss Lana Rebel w/ Kevin Michael Mayfield Thursdays (except Thu, Oct 24 and 31): Mitzi Cowell
Fridays: The Greg Morton Band Sat 5: Key Ingredients of African Soul, DJ Herm Thu 10: 567 Wax, Jazz Telephone Sat 12: The Clam Tostada w/ The Tryst & Southbound Pilot Sat 19: DJ Herm Sat 26: Black Cat Bones
MONTEREY COURT 505 W. Miracle Mile, MontereyCourtAZ.com Tue 1: The Littlest Birds Wed 2: Peter McLaughlin and Alvin Blaine Thu 3: Jim St. James Wed 9: Nashville Songwriters Showcase
PLAYGROUND BAR AND LOUNGE 278 E. Congress. 396-3691. PlaygroundTucson.com Mondays: Spelling Bee Tuesdays: Dinner & A Movie Wednesdays: REWIND: Old School Hip Hop Fridays: Merry Go Round :: 4 rotating DJs
PLUSH 340 E. 6th St. 798-1298, PlushTucson.com Wed 2: The Helio Sequence with Menomena Thu 3: Carlos Arzate and The Kind Souls Fri 4: D. Bess with Santa Pachita Sat 5: Texas Trash and the Trainwrecks, Justin Valdez y Los Guapos, The Sterling 202’s Tue 8: Austin Lucas, Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, Ronstadt Generations
Photo courtesy of BuddyGuy.net
“Buddy Guy” performs at Rialto Theatre on Fri, Oct 25.
Thu 10: Honor Roll Gang Fri 11: The Mission Creeps Sat 12: The Holy Rolling Empire, Kid Puto, Of the Painted Quire Wed 16: Gringo Star, Berwanger Sat 19: Super Happy Funtime Burlesque Fri 25: Copper and Congress Sat 26: Eken is Dead, Race To The Bottom, The Living Breathing Sun 27: Calabrese Tue 29: The Cliks, Steff Koeppen and the Articles, Hot Peach
RIALTO THEATRE 318 E. Congress St. 740-1000, RialtoTheatre.com Wed 2: Toro Y Moi with Vinyl Williams Fri 4: Red Baraat Thu 10: City and Colour Fri 11: Yo Gotti: I Am Tour Sat 12: Steve Earle Sun 13: Jimmie Van Zant Tue 15: Walk The Moon Thu 17: Julieta Venegas Fri 18: Clannad Sun 20: Michael Franti and Spearhead with Serena Ryder Tue 22: Steve Vai Wed 23: Tim Kasher of Cursive with Laura Stevenson, The Green with Shwayze and Kimie Fri 25: Buddy Guy Mon 28: Suicide Girls: Blackheart Burlesque Wed 30: Rusted Root with Goodnight, Texas and Spirit Familia
SEA OF GLASS 330 E. 7th Street, 398-2542. SeaOfGlass.org Sat 19: Dustbowl Revival
SKY BAR 536 N. 4th Ave. 622-4300, SkyBarTucson.com Mondays: Team Trivia Tuesdays: Jazz Wednesdays: Open Mic Thursdays: Live Music
SOLAR CULTURE 31 E. Toole Ave. 884-0874, SolarCulture.org Tue 8: Radiation City Sat 12: Pure Bathing Culture Sat 19: SLV with Tryst Sun 20: Cave with Languas Largas and Horse Lords
SURLY WENCH PUB 424 N. 4th Ave., 882-0009, SurlyWenchPub.com Wed 2: Bricktop, Chosen Ones Fri 4: Black Cherry Burlesque Sat 5: Blackout Mind Over Metal Fri 11: Club Sanctuary Sat 12: Fineline Revisited Fri 18: Black Cherry Raw Sat 19: Zombie Prom Fri 25: The Manly Manlesque Show Sat 26: Fineline Revisited
TAP & BOTTLE 403 N. 6th Ave. Sun, 13: Gabriel Sullivan & Billy Sedlmayr, Kaia Chesney, Joe Novelli & Marvin The Cloud Wall
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 53
Z tunes
KXCI’s 5 Selections from the following new albums spin on KXCI, 91.3FM and online at KXCI.org this month.
Amos Lee Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song (Blue Note) After working with Joey Burns on his last release, Amos returned to his hometown of Philadelphia for this new set, featuring his regular backing band and contributions from Patty Griffin and Alison Krauss.
Moby Innocents (Mute) Moby’s 11th studio album finds him in a collaborative mood, partnering with Mark Lanegan, Cold Specks, Damien Jurado and Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.
Anders Osborne Peace (Alligator) Anders has described this as his “lighter” album, but we still hear driving guitar work and the brutally frank lyrics that have been the mainstay of his success.
Paul McCartney New (Hear Music) This British native shows some promise as both a singer and songwriter. We’ll be excited to see where his career goes next.
Patty Larkin Still Green (Signature Sounds) Patty’s 13th album reflects on her recent losses but grows into the hope and happiness that she returned to as she reflected on the entirety of her life experience.
Found Puzzles by misterpaulfisher
What You Can Learn From Children Every summer, for five weeks, I work for an organization called “Summer Fine Arts”. I teach Creative Thinking to about 120 children ages 5 - 10 years. Both the students and I bring in puzzles and jokes and we work on problem solving strategies together. Every year they blow my mind with their creativity, flexible thinking and joy. What happens to us as we grow older? Where does that enthusiasm for engaging into every moment go? I’ll tell you what I think: sharing jokes and solving problems/puzzles/teasers with your friends and family fires up your joy and companionship. So this month I challenge you with two puzzles that I have worked on with the 10 - 12 year olds. Let’s see how you match up.
PUZZLE #19 What is special about the following sequence of numbers? 8, 5, 4, 9, 1, 7, 6, 10, 3, 2, 0 answer below
PUZZLE #20 (This was brought in by a 10 year old ...) A woman receives a signed copy of a book in the mail and when she reads the inscription she is very embarrassed. Why? SPOILER ALERT DON’T READ FURTHER IF YOU WANT TO SOLVE IT ON YOUR OWN!!! (CLUE: The inscription begins “with renewed compliments ...) answer below misterpaulfisher is a consultant-teacher-lecturer-artist who has been puzzling for many decades. Find out more about Paul, his work and puzzles at: www.misterpaulfisher.com PUZZLE #20 Let’s say Lee Child had signed and given her the book, previously. Then she had re-gifted it . Later, Lee finds the book in a bookshop and sends it back to the woman. He amends his original inscription. “with compliments, Lee Child” to “with renewed compliments, Lee Child”. Pretty embarrassing! PUZZLE #19 If you write out the numbers: eight, five, four, nine, one, seven, six, ten, three, two, zero - notice that they are written in alphabetical order. ANSWERS:
54 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | October 2013
lifeintucson Z by Andrew Brown
Left to right top to bottom: Anna Loas at Roy’s Boteca; Big Brother Beats at Union; Environ art opening at Rancho Linda Vista; Rock Cyfi Martinez and Brandi Watkins at his Beautiful Killers opening at BLX; Lois and Apple’s Hoedown at La Cocina; Director Jason Wawro and Giulio Scalinger at Arizona Underground Film Festival; Director Rory Uphold at Arizona Underground Film Festival.
October 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 55