inside
July/August 2015
07. Film 09. Events 14. People 20. Arts 22. Photo Feature 36. Escape 39. Poetry 40. Tunes 50. Life in Tucson On the Cover:
MOCA’s Mobile Pools. Photo by Andrew Brown. Creative Director & Stylist: Sydney Ballesteros. Model:Savanah Impellizeri. Makeup: Tangie Duffey. Wardrobe: stylist’s own. Jewelry: MAST. Produced by David Olsen & Zócalo Magazine. Special thanks to MOCA for use of their Mobile Pools. Photo hunt production by Patrick Foley. See page 21 for more information on the pools and then check out page 22 for more photos from this shoot.
Cover Photo Hunt Contest: Spot the 25 differences between the front and back covers! Circle the 25 differences on the back cover, take a photo of your answers and email the photo to CONTEST@ZOCALOTUCSON.COM for a chance to win prizes from MOCA Tucson. Entries can also be mailed to the P.O. Box below.
Contest ends July 31, 2015. All correct entries will be entered into a drawing and winners will be selected at random. 1st place prize gets a t-shirt, towel and MOCA membership. 2nd through 6th place winners will receive a free MOCA membership. Winners will be notified by email. Email addresses will be discarded after contest ends.
Zócalo is an independent, locally owned and printed magazine that reflects the heart and soul of Tucson.
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Olsen CONTRIBUTORS Craig Baker, Sydney Ballesteros, Marisa Bernal, Andrew Brown, Jefferson Carter, Jon D’Auria, Patrick Foley, Jamie Manser, Niccole Radhe, Amanda Reed, Herb Stratford. 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
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July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 5
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film Z
Saint Laurent
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Designers, Detectives and Writers, Oh My… by Herb Stratford If there’s one thing you can count on The Loft Cinema for during the long, hot summer months in Tucson, it is their excellent counter-programming. This is so unlike the weekly assault on the senses that Hollywood rolls out all summer, The Loft consistently has films on their schedule that will inspire, bewilder and amuse just about anyone. A few real gems are hitting the big screen in July and frankly you won’t want to miss them. There has been a regular renaissance of films about fashion of late and while most have been excellent documentaries like Dior & I, The September Issue, Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s and Bill Cunningham New York, the new narrative film Saint Laurent is flat-out brilliant. One of two films on the iconic designer that appeared at festivals internationally last year, this one is mesmerizing, and the one to see. While it is a commitment to watch, with a runtime of at 2.5 hours and all in French (with English subtitles), the film is beautiful, tragic, haunting and spot-on in its depiction of the fashion world of 1967 – 1976. Bio-pics are a dime a dozen, but the true story of the rise, fall and resurrection of Saint Laurent is one for the ages. Another film festival darling, The Stanford Prison Experiment also opens at The Loft this month. This narrative feature tells the story of a fascinating psychological study that took place in 1971 at Stanford University. In the study, 24 students were either assigned the role of prisoner or guard and their interactions were documented to assess whether prisoner/guard interactions were caused by personality or group dynamics. The film is a powerful meditation on power and justice and is sure to thrust the issue of prisons back into the mainstream. The film stars Ezra Miller, Billy Crudup, Tye Sheridan and Olivia Thirlby. Also on tap this month is the hotly anticipated Mr. Holmes, which imagines a long-retired Sherlock Holmes, played by Sir Ian McKellen, reflecting on a long life solving crimes and specifically the one that remains a mystery. Thanks to the resurgence of popularity in all things Sherlock Holmes, this one should do quite well. And a final film festival hit, The End Of The Tour depicts the true, but unpublished encounter between a Rolling Stone reporter and acclaimed writer David Foster Wallace during his most successful and largest book tour. With standout performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segel, this film is a must see, as it wowed the audiences and critics alike at the 2015 Sundance FiIm Festival when it premiered last January. n
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Summer Discount Card
SAVE UP TO 50% OFF
AT OVER 130 PLACES ALL SUMMER LONG 4th Ave. Yoga 4th Avenue Hair A Perfect Pantry About ME Hair Studio Agustin Kitchen Alejandro's Cafe Antigone Books, Gifts & Cards Arte de la Vida Artful Living Gallery and Studio Auld Dubliner Aveda Institute Tucson Barb's Frame Of Mind Ben's Bells Downtown Ben's Bells, Main Gate Square Bison Witches Blades Hair Blu A Wine & Cheese Stop Borderlands Brewery Boutique 816 Brooklyn pizza Cafe à La C'Art Cafe Passe Caffe Millano by La Fuu Caps and More Embroidery Che's Lounge Chicago Music Store Children's Museum Cho Chocolate Iguana Collette Creations Boutique Creative Ventures Craft Mall Cut Color Polish Dairy Queen Danny's Downtown Barber Shop
Deco Del Sol Delectables Dolce Pastello Downtown Kitchen & Cocktails Downtown Swank Parlor Eat-A-Pita El Charro Cafe Elliott's on Congress Empire Pizza Epic cafe Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar EXO Roast Co Expresso Art Cafe Family Air Fed By Threads Flash in the Past Studio & Shop Food Conspiracy Co-op Fors Shop LLC Fox Theatre Fuku Sushi Generation Cool Gentle Ben's Hirsh's Shoes HopYard Market and Deli HUB HUB Ice Cream Factory Hydra IQ Fresh Johnny Gibson Downtown Market Junes Corner Store Kababeque Kearbey's Krikawa Jewelry Designs
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KXCI Community Radio La Cocina Restaurant La Estrella bakery La Fashionista La Indita Restaurant Little Bird Nesting Company Magpies Pizza Mast Maynard's Market Mid Valley Athletic Club Mutt's Hot Dogs and Sausages Nook OFF 4th Outlet On Deck Deli On-a-roll Sushi Ooo! Outside Of Ordinary Pasco Kitchen and Lounge Pelio Grill Perri Jewelers Picante Designs Pie Bird Pink Berry Planet Smoothie Playground Pop Cycle Posners Art Store & Framing Pueblo Vida Brewing Company Quik Print R Bar Rae's Place Market Razorz Edge Reilly Craft Pizza Revolutionary Grounds Riveted
Roasted Tea & Coffee Shop Rustic Candle Company Sacred Art Tattoo Sahuaro Trophy Salon Salon Screening Room Seis Kitchen and Catering Silver Mine Subs Silver Sea Jewelry Sinbad's Restaurant Sky bar SA Transportation Museum Spark Root Spring Nail Salon Street Taco and Beer Co Swindlers The Aquadec The Arizona Experience Store The Book Stop The Coronet The Downtown Clifton Hotel The Fix The Fly Catcher Thunder Canyon Brewery Transit Cycles Tucson Improv Movement Tucson Olive Central Tucson Thrift Shop Unplugged Wilko World of Beer Xpanded Universe Yikes Toys & Gift-O-Rama Zoe boutique
events Z
july ARABROT Sat, July 11, @ 8 pm
Exploded View presents a show of European heavy noise metal with Norway’s ARABROT and London’s sludge power-duo, Ghold. Norwegian Noise Metal band ARABROT (touring US w/ 6 person line-up incl. 2 drummers.) ARABROT lands stateside with their first US release, You Bunch Of Idiots, a ferocious blast of twisted noise rock. For thirteen years Kjetil Nernes and Co. have fearlessly trudged through the European underground, carving out a sonic territory of sludge, punk, metal, and art rock, all collapsed into something uniquely their own. Wearing perennial outsider status like a badge of honor, ARABROT laughs in the faces of the naysayers and proudly towers above them. While drawing from the likes of dadaism, the Marquis de Sade, and transgressive art might be a recipe for pretentious tripe in the wrong hands, ARABROT wraps it up with winks and grins, and--most importantly--rocks the hell out. Opening the show is a Tucson collaboration between occultist mono-synth agus Eric Schlappi and psych noise rocker Youuunnng. All Ages, $8 at the door. Exploded View is located at 197 E Toole Ave-Tucson. www.explodedviewgallery.org
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Z events
july/august
Sat, July 4 “A” MOUNTAIN FIREWORKS
Food vendors and beer garden. Fireworks start at 9:15pm. Cost for parking. 260 S. Church Ave. 791-4101, TucsonConventionCenter.org
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION IN ORO VALLEY Family friendly activities, live entertainment, food trucks and fireworks. Fireworks start at 9pm. Free. James D. Kreigh Park, 23 W. Calle Concordia. 229-4700, VisitTucson.org
JULY 4TH PARTY AT SONORAN GLASS SCHOOL An Independence Day celebration featuring water balloon fights, Early Glasswork in the U.S., fireworks, music and food from Brushfire BBQ. 5pm-10pm. 633 W. 18th St. SonoranGlass.org
Sat, July 11 2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN
Street performers, arts and food vendors, outdoor movie, kid’s area and more! Featuring: The Vexmen, Tucson Circus Arts Summer Camp, Roll Acosta and The Amy Mendoza Band. Free. 6:30pm-11pm. Downtown, 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com
Sun, July 12 EVERYONE RUNS TMC Run with the Roosters at 5:05am. Old Tucson, 201 S. Kinney Rd. 883-0100, EveryoneRuns.net
Sat, July 18 3RD SATURDAY ART FAIR Featuring local art. Many Hands Courtyard, 3054 N. 1st Ave. ManyHandsCourtyard.com
Sat, July 18- Sun, July 26 LOFT KIDS FEST
Experience films, fun games, giveaways, interactive activites and more. Free. 10am. Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 332-5638, LoftCinema.com
Sat, Aug 8 2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN
Street performers, arts and food vendors, outdoor movie, kid’s area and more! Free. 6:30pm-11pm. Downtown, 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com
Wed, Aug 12-Sun, Aug 16 TUCSON BIRD AND WILDLIFE FESTIVAL Nature Expo involving history talks, critter exhibits and family-friendly programs. Riverpark Inn, 350 S. Freeway. 239-2300, TucsonAudubon.org/festival
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Sun, Aug 16 USA TRIATHLON YOUTH SPLASH AND DASH Open to athletes ages 7-15. A combination of running and swimming, serves as an introduction to multi-sport and promoting a healthy lifestyle. 7am. Tucson JCC, 3800 E. River Rd. TucsonJCC.org
Sat, Aug 22 SALSA AND TEQUILA CHALLENGE Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance presents annual salsa competition featuring salsa, live mariachi music, salsa dancing, silent auctions and more. 7pm. La Encantada shopping center, 2905 E. Skyline Dr. 797-3959, VisitTucson.org
NIGHT WINGS AT PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM Tram rides until sundown and a walking tour of an indoor hangar. $10 adults, children 12 and under free. 5pm-9pm. Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Rd. 574-0462, PimaAir.org
Ongoing TUCSON FOOD TOURS
Tucson’s only walking food tour. Combination of foods and a little history of downtown Tucson. Takes you through the historic downtown and 4th Avenue districts of Tucson. See website for dates. 477-7986, FoodToursTucson.com
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER Unlimited admission for furry companions at Tucson Botanical Gardens. $20. 7am-4:30pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
Mondays MEET ME AT MAYNARDS (@Hotel Congress) Southern Arizona Roadrunners’ Monday evening, noncompetitive, 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
Thursdays FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS
Hosted by The Sunshine Mile. Dinner takes place 5pm-9pm. 2419 E. Broadway. DecoArtTucson.com
Saturdays SUMMER SATURDAY EVENINGS AT THE DESERT MUSEUM Experience the Desert Museum after dark. 5pm-10pm. See website for prices. Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd. DesertMuseum.org
events Z
august Caterpillar Day Sun August 23 Step right up and experience the secret life of caterpillars! Southern Arizonans are lucky to be surrounded by the largest and most dazzling moths in the USA, yet it’s a privileged world that few experience. Caterpillar Day, presented by Yikes Toys!, reveals this alluring hidden world. Watch larvae as big as hot dogs veg out on local plants. Hold local moths and caterpillars that weigh more than sparrows. Be wowed by the colors and patterns of some of the most beautiful creatures in the Southwest. And understand the mystery of moths--all around us, yet almost always unseen. Join in this tour of our spectacular natural world! Open to the public and all ages welcome.
photos: Michael Wilson
Location: Yikes Toys!, 2930 E. Broadway Blvd (just west of Country Club, on the south side of the street). Time: 11 am - 3 pm. More information at 520320-5669 or YikesToys.com
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Z people
Alex Mastrangelo and his 1959 Ford Galaxie 500 (right) and 1959 Cadillac Series 62.
Keeping It Retro Alex Mastrangelo has a love of all things aged, and he’s made a life of it at both work and play. by Craig Baker
A few from Mastrangelo’s collection, left to right, top to bottom: 1959 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible; 1959 Cadillac Series 62; 1970 Buick Electra 225 Convertible; 1964 Buick Riviera Super Wildcat; and below, his 1964 Buick Riviera Super Wildcat next to his wife’s 1972 Mercury Montego MX. photos: David Olsen
Y
ou could say that Alex Mastrangelo has something of an affinity for old things; old homes, old radios and televisions, old appliances, old signs and collectables. An old 1930s gas pump leans against the west wall of his period-original mid-century modern ranch style home in midtown Tucson; just twenty feet away, near the property line, is a slightly dilapidated phone booth—about as outdated a piece of technology as any, despite the fact that it’s probably one of the newest collectables strewn about the lot. And yet, there it sits, a prop for his prankster friends and the friends of his seven-year-old son more than anything else. As co-owner and broker at local Habitation Reality, Mastrangelo says he has always been drawn to old homes—specifically foreclosures that other “fix and flip” developers might have a tendency to overlook. Actually, that’s all he deals with, as far as properties are concerned. Mastrangelo, who has referred to the “fix and flip” craze fed by so many daytime DIY TV shows as a “plague”, prefers a slower approach— more ‘salvage and rehabilitate,’ really. The same applies to his hobby of collecting and fixing up classic American cars on evenings and weekends, especially vintage Cadillacs and Buicks. His first car—a dark brown 1974 Buick Electra Limited with a Landau top (an addition that was apparently all the rage in the ‘70s)—was actually the last car his grandfather ever owned and, before making its way out to Mastrangelo in Tucson when he was a student in high school, it had sat more-or-less untouched in a Manhattan garage for more than a decade. Mastrangelo says that when the vehicle finally made it out to him, it showed all the signs of idling in east coast air—small dents and rust holes lined the side of the body and under carriage. And since it hadn’t been driven regularly in many years, the car was in need of a serious tune-up before it was road ready, to say the least. At only fifteen years-of-age—just as he was learning to drive—Mastrangelo started learning how to repair his “new” machine. Though nobody in his family ever worked on cars outside of keeping them in immaculate aesthetic shape (the Buick still has a log book in the glovebox that includes every tune-up, fill-up, and oil change ever performed on the thing, for reference), Mastrangelo says that there wasn’t a whole lot of choice for him in the matter. “I mean, it was my high school car, so if I couldn’t get it running, I couldn’t go out,” he says. Still today Mastrangelo does all of the work that needs doing on each of the roughly dozen classic automobiles stored in various locations around his property, refurbishing and selling them from time to time just to fund the purchase and parts for his next fixer-upper. He says that, since Arizona is famous for being hot and dry, car collectors from around the world seek out classic automobiles from here specifically. As such, Mastrangelo says that about half of the cars that he sells go to buyers in Europe, and still another portion finds its way to the Middle East. And though he’s not one to snub car shows in general, Mastrangelo insists—unlike a great many collectors who primarily think of their cars as show pieces—that these machines are meant to be driven. “I don’t drive normal cars,” he says, indicating a pair of 1970s Buicks that he says are his daily drivers; his wife, Michelle Haller, drives a black all-original 1972 Mercury Montego MX, which Mastrangelo
people Z says is what drew him to her over eight years ago. “I saw the car downtown and just had to know who was driving it,” he says. Not only is it an entirely different experience driving one of the long, heavy classic cars with the burbling engines, as opposed to newer, computerized cars which are built primarily for efficiency rather than durability—just in the way that the ’72 Montego drew Mastrangelo to his wife years back, he says that driving a classic car up to a public place is a social experience, as well. “Everywhere you go you meet everyone around you,” says Mastrangelo. He adds that, when cruising in his 1959 turquoise Cadillac Series 62 that he originally salvaged from a field, “people just come to you.” In addition to the cars, Mastrangelo and family are also working to gradually restore a 1957 El Rey trailer—and, yes, they’ll occasionally take it camping; or even hitch to the Caddy for that complete retro experience. The trailer has been on display both during Tucson Modernism Week here in town, and also at the annual Vintage Trailer Rally in Pismo, Beach California—a gathering of between 250-300 vintage trailers and their owners that Mastrangelo describes as “kind of like a car show, except you live there and you drink more,” which, he explains, is “a lot more fun.” Still, he admits that pulling a fully-furnished trailer behind a fifty-plus year-old car is “pushing the limits of the machine. But,” he says, “that’s the fun part,” adding that “just making it to your destination is this huge accomplishment” when you’re using vintage machinery you built or rebuilt yourself to get you there. And though you might think that it would take owning a real-estate business to get you started in the collection and restoration of classic autos, Mastrangelo insists that it’s something that almost anyone can do, even if they’re on a budget. “A lot of people think that classic cars are strictly a rich person’s hobby, but they’re not,” he says. “They can be,” he clarifies, pointing out that there are plenty of wealthy people looking to outsource labor or simply buy cherry rides for top-dollar from the auction floor. “But you can still get ‘em cheap,” Mastrangelo says, “…you can go out with like 800 bucks and get something really cool, if you play it right.” He says that there’s something special about a classic car done on a budget, as well. The final product might not be all original or clean enough to eat off of, but he says the people that use their time along with a certain level of ingenuity to take a classic from jalopy to joy-ride often produce some of the most interesting—if not always the most attractive—machines. With respect to passing the torch, Mastrangelo says that his young son Dashiell has shown some cursory interest in dad’s car collection, but that it’s just too early to say how involved he’ll be when he’s old enough to see the engine block without the aid of a step ladder. Still, Mastrangelo says that, having grown up with nothing but classic cars at home for his entire life, the boy does have a few opinions of his own, opting to choose which car he and his parents will take on certain family outings. In that way, the cars have become something of a family-bonding mechanism for them, turning each journey away from home into what Mastrangelo refers to as sort of a “choose your own adventure.” And if any of this sounds at all good to you, perhaps it’s time you started checking out the local classifieds—or the local fields. n July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 17
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Z arts
Photos: people by Andrew Brown, pools by David Olsen
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arts Z
MOCA Goes Dumpster Diving—In Style. by Craig Baker
Hands down, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is officially the hottest place to cool off anywhere in Tucson this summer. And though a bathing suit and flip flops may not traditionally be your first choice of attire when planning a visit to a posh art gallery, thanks to a rather unique exhibition which opened last month at the museum, you probably won’t even be asked to leave if you show up shirtless. The exhibit goes back six years to Brooklyn, New York, when MOCA’s current curator, Jocko Weyland, and his then-employer, real estate mogul David Belt of Macro Sea, had the wild idea to try and transform abandoned strip malls into newly-rejuvenated hubs of activity. The quest took the men to Athens, Georgia to look at some less than savory properties for the project and, though none of those sites were chosen for revitalization, Weyland and Belt returned to New York with an entirely different and wholly unexpected source of inspiration. In Georgia, their conversations about reuse had led to chatter, and that naturally led to the revelation of certain rumors—namely, that a local rock drummer named Curtis Crowe had taken what he called “hillbilly modernism” to the next level by turning a large trash dumpster into a DIY aboveground pool. Weyland made a quick phone call to Crowe, got his permission to use his design, and the original New York dumpster pool project was underway. At a cost of about $8000, Weyland, Belt, and a handful of enthusiastic cohorts arranged three thirty-cubic-yard trash containers into the shape of an ‘H’ on a private junkyard next to the Gowanus Canal in industrial Brooklyn (a body of water which, ironically, happens to be the most polluted in the United States). They installed plastic linings, built decking, cabanas and a world-class bocce court, and supplied a few grills and lounge chairs for good measure. Macro Sea then trucked in about 19,000 gallons of pristine filtered water from a New Jersey aquifer to fill the contraptions and called a few of their friends for an invite-only bash that kicked off on July 4, 2009. But their “lo-fi country club”, as Weyland called it, couldn’t stay out of the public eye for long. A single interview with DIY design magazine ReadyMade led to internet buzz, which ultimately led to a New York Times article on the drool-inducing front page of their Arts section just two weeks later. And the race was on—people were climbing on cars and buildings to try and get a peek at the facilities; features appeared in the New York Post, The Daily News, and on NPR. Belt even got a personal call from the Big ‘O’, though Macro Sea declined the chance to be on the media guru’s talk show. Before long, the popularity of the mobile pools outgrow the pools themselves and the project had to be shut down. “They were immensely popular, almost too popular,” Weyland says of the original mobile pool project, “and we got a tremendous amount of media attention, almost to the point that it was overwhelming.” At the end of that first summer, the same day that the crew finally drained the mobile pools of their own accord, a letter arrived from the New York Department of Health informing them that the party was going to be terminated on an official basis anyway, whether they were ready to shut it down or not. And so it goes. You might think that would be the end of it, but the guys at Macro Sea were relentless. And, as Weyland says, the pools were never meant to stand alone as a single-summer art project; rather they had grown as “an offshoot from some other, much more involved, much bigger ideas.” The whole point was to make a few waves across the art world and to get people talking about concepts like
reuse; maybe even inspire a few to build a pool for themselves. After meeting a high-level city employee at a local New York Film Festival, Weyland attracted the attention of former Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s office. The Mayor wanted Macro Sea to build three more mobile dumpster pools—these, of course, would need to be “up to code”—to be used and displayed on Park Avenue during the third annual New York City Summer Street’s Program. Having scrapped the first three pools at the end of that first summer, the guys had to start from scratch for the second phase of the project. And so they did. They spared no expense on the next three dumpster pools, outfitting each with a hardy filtration system, showers, cabanas for changing, and railed-in decks for general lounging. Weyland says that the costs associated with just one of the pools from phase two exceeded the total bill from all three pools from the year before many times over, but that for three Saturdays in August of 2010, hundreds of New Yorkers got a chance to swim in the new-and-improved Macro Sea mobile pools right outside of Grand Central Station. Those pools made one more stop at a Long Island nightclub the next year before they were unofficially retired and put in storage, where they have remained unused ever since. That is, of course, until now. That’s right; thanks to a very generous donation from David Belt, the mobile pools made their way to Tucson last month, where they were revived and filled once again—and possibly for the last time in any public setting—at Tucson’s old Fire Station Number 1 building downtown; MOCA’s home since 2010. MOCA’s Interim Director, Samuel Ireland, envisioned a scene in which each of the museum’s dozen roll-up doors were open wide, music was playing, and the front patio was dotted with sunbathers, then made that dream a reality. Ireland says that MOCA intends to use the presence of the pools in the space as a “platform” for a number of other special events, including performance art, concerts, film screenings, and the Six Artists exhibition running concurrently in the museums other rooms. But, alas, even Tucson’s version of the Park Avenue pool party is a members-only event. Ireland explains that, for liability reasons, only MOCA’s members will be granted swimming privileges at the museum this summer. In that way, though, the pools will also function as a sort of membership drive for the non-profit, which meets most of its $450,000 annual budgetary needs through private donations and the sale of memberships. But with individual memberships starting at only $4 per month, MOCA is sure to attract at least a handful of art-friendly locals looking for a novel way to cool down during the blistering summer months. And, in what basically amounts to a windfall for the relatively quiet museum, not only was Belt kind enough to lend his infamous pools to MOCA for the summer installation—he’s actually letting the museum auction them off at the end of the show as a fundraiser. So, if you want to experience this bit of American art and design history for yourself, you better jump in while you have the chance. The Macro Sea mobile pools will be open and on display at MOCA during regular business hours and select special events through Sept 26 whenever there is a lifeguard on duty. Swimmers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. MOCA is located at 265 S. Church Ave. More info can be found online at Moca-Tucson.org. n July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 21
Z photofeature
submerge
Z photofeature Creative Director + Stylist: Sydney Ballesteros Photographer: Andrew Brown Model:Savanah Impellizeri Makeup: Tangie Duffey Wardrobe: Buffalo Exchange, Razzle Dazzle, Vintage on Main, and Blocks Skate Shop Jewelry: MAST Artwork: @westyles + @jonnybubonik Midcentury swing chair: Russell’s Retro Produced by David Olsen and Zócalo Magazine. Special thanks to MOCA Tucson for use of their Mobile Pools.
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arts Z
Steven R. Schaeffer’s “Sorrow”
Anthony Pessler, No title 13-4, 2013, graphite on panel. Courtesy the artist
State Of The Art Arizona Biennial 2015 by Herb Stratford
It’s time again to take Arizona’s “art temperature” with the presentation of the state’s longest running look at the artworld as interpreted by Arizona artists. With beginnings in 1948, the Arizona Biennial is the one chance for both emerging artists and established artists—who are Arizona residents— to sound off in the same space at the same time. Curated this year by Irene Hoffman, Director and Chief Curator of SITE Santa Fe in New Mexico, the show presents 51 works by 31 artists working in a variety of mediums, drawn from nearly 1,500 submissions. What makes this show so important on the local art calendar is the immediacy of the work in relation to the state we live in. This exhibition, the only one of its kind in a museum setting in the state, is an opportunity to see how artists are embracing new processes, responding to the political and social climate of the time, and in some cases how their work is evolving and changing. It’s often in this show that we get to discover a new and exciting work of art from an unknown artist, a piece that may be right next to an artwork by an artist whose name you do recognize. Sometimes this exhibition is also the place where artistic definitions are tested by new artworks and new materials. Past shows have included genrebending mixed-media works, strong video and installation pieces and even performance art pieces that will not be seen anywhere else. This year the exhibition is a wonderful mash-up of everything under the sun, and definitely is worth your time to get out of the heat and into the museum to experience it. Stand out works include Steven R. Schaeffer’s “Sorrow,” which manages to capture the natural world’s beauty and fragility so poetically. The pile of tortoise shells almost seem to be referencing empty military helmets and yet are distinctly organic since they are ceramic cast porcelain. The effect is mesmeriz-
ing. Jennifer Holt’s “An Act of Futility” is also composed of porcelain, along with some hardware and a lone tumbleweed, combine to depict a stark white child’s wagon carrying away the organic remains of the desert. The two depictions of natural/manmade elements composed of unexpected materials indicate a clear mastery of technique combined with a sense of artistic irony. Also of note is the work “Murmuration 11:39:21” by Alan Bur Johnson, which is made of transparencies, metal frames and pins. It appears to be capturing the in-flight formations that starling’s create in the wild. The depth is reminiscent of works rendered in resin or even wax, which gives it a dreamy, otherworldly feel. Artist Carol Lavender has two drawings on display that present and challenge accepted artistic interpretation. “Baboon-Baboon” and “Jaguar-Jaguar” depict both a lifelike interpretation of an animal as well as a more stylized interpretation. The intimate scale and lack of finish in the presentation allow viewers to feel as if they are present when the work was being created. Other artists whose work is present that may be familiar to Tucson audiences include sculptor Curt Brill, mixed media artist Ellen McMahon (working with Beth Weinstein), photographer Robert Renfrow and painters Mike Stack and Anthony Pessler. But this show is more about the names you don’t recognize, and the work that moves you. I can almost guarantee you that you will see things that intrigue you and art that will start a conversation afterward. Don’t miss this exhibition and the snapshot it provides of the current art climate in Arizona. Arizona Biennial 2015 is on display from July 25 through October 11 at the Tucson Museum of Art, located at 140 N Main Ave. TucsonMuseumOfArt.org 520.624.2333. n July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 29
OCTOBER 18-24th, 2015 DOWNTOWN TUCSON
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Z arts
“Mouse Riding Moon” by Pamela Hows shows at Desert Artisans Gallery on Sat, July 18th as part of Meet the Artists Series.
"Blue Mesa Summer" by Fran Larson shows as part of the exhibit "Color Speaks" opening at Wilde Meyer Gallery on Thu, July 2.
“Sun Smooth” features at Philabaum Glass Gallery and Studio through September as part of the exhibit “Philabaum Celebrates 40 Years In Tucson.”
art Galleries/exhibits
KRIKAWA JEWELRY ART GALLERY
ARTFUL LIVING Summer Pop-Up Show opens Sat, July 11 and continues through
MOEN MASON GALLERY See website for details. 222 E. 6th St, 262-3806.
Sat, Aug 1. Artful Living Gallery and Studio, 1 E. Broadway Blvd. 203-7004, ArtfulLivingByJeffFerst.com
ARTIST STUDIO COOP 9th Street Studios Reunion Show continues through Sun, July 26. 439 N. 6th Ave. ArtistStudioCoop.com
ARTSEYE GALLERY Curious Camera continues through Summer 2015. Arts Eye, 3550 E. Grant Rd. 327-7291. ArtsEye.com
BAKER + HESSELDENZ FINE ART See website for details. Tucson Ware-
Enlightenment continues through Aug. 29th. 6-9PM. Hours: Tues-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-4. 21 E. Congress St. 520-322-6090. Krikawa.com
MoenMasonGallery.com
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART See website for details. General Admission: $8, adults; free, children under 12, members, military; free to all last Sunday of the month. Wed-Sun, 12pm-5pm. 265 S. Church Ave. 624-5019, MOCA-Tucson.org
PHILABAUM GLASS GALLERY & STUDIO
Philabaum Celebrates 40 Years In Tucson continues through Sat, Sept 26. Tue-Sat;10am-5pm. 711 S. 6th Ave. 884-7404, PhilabaumGlass.com
house and Transfer Building, 100 E. 6th St. 760-0037, BakerHesseldenz.com
SOUTHERN ARIZONA WATERCOLOR GUILD Western Federation of Wa-
CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY The Pure Products of America
tercolor Societies Exhibition continues Wed, July 15. Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm. Free. SAWG Gallery, 5605 E. River Rd. 299-7294, SouthernAzWatercolorGuild.com
Go Crazy continues through Sun, Sept 13. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat & Sun, 1pm-4pm. 1030 N. Olive Rd. 621-7968, CreativePhotography.org
CONTRERAS GALLERY Fierce Flowers takes place Sat, July 4- Sat, July 25. Milagros takes place Sat, Aug 1- Sat, Aug 29. Wed- Sat: 10am-4pm. 110 E. 6th St. 3986557, ContrerasHouseFineArt.com
DEGRAZIA GALLERY IN THE SUN Enamel on Copper Paintings of Ted Degrazia continues through Sat, Aug 15. Daily, 10am-4pm. 6300 N. Swan Rd. 299-9191, DeGrazia.org
DESERT ARTISANS GALLERY Frame of Reference continues through August. Trunk Show featuring Wanita Christensen and Susan Libby takes place Sat, July 11. Meet the Artist series with Pamela Howe takes place Sat, July 18. Trunk Show featuring Margaret Shirer and Terry Slonaker takes place Sat, Aug 1. Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 10am-1:30pm. 6536 E. Tanque Verde Rd. 722-4412, DesertArtisansGallery.com
DRAGONFLY GALLERY Artistic Soulmates continues through July. 146 E. Broadway. DragonFlyVillage.org
ETHERTON GALLERY Citizens Warehouse Artists continues through September.
TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART Surfaces: Photographs by Fritz Kaeser continues through Sun, July 5. Livin’ Large: Works From The 1980‘s continues through Sun, July 12. Museum As Sanctuary: Perspectives of Resilience opens Fri, July 17. Arizona Biennial 2015 opens Sat, July 25. Tue-Wed & Fri-Sat, 10am-5pm; Thu, 10am-8pm; Sun, noon-5pm. $10, adults; $8, seniors; $5, college students w/ID; Free youth 18 and under, members, veterans and active military. Free to all the first Sunday of the month. 140 N. Main Ave. 624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org
TUCSON PASTEL SOCIETY
Art exhibit featuring 150 original paintings by members shows through Sat, July 11. Northwestern Mutual, 1760 E. River Rd. 6155365, TucsonPastelSociety.org
UA MUSEUM OF ART Salvador Dalí: Our Historical Heritage continues through Sun, Aug 2. Recent Acquisitions continues through Sun, Aug 16. Changing Views: Queering U.S. Landscapes continues through Sun, Aug 16. Mapping Q opens Wed, Aug 12. James Turrell and Works About Light opens Fri, Aug 28. Tue- Fri, 9am-5pm. Sat-Sun, 12pm-4pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 621-7567, ArtMuseum.Arizona.Edu
WILDE MEYER GALLERY Color Speaks opens Thu, July 2. Summer Spectacu-
JOSEPH GROSS GALLERY Fireweather: The Dark Forest of Crystal Burn con-
lar opens Thu, July 9. Cool It opens Thu, Aug 6. Interpreting the West opens Thu, Aug 6. Summer Transitions opens Thu, Aug 6. Mon-Fri, 10am-5:30pm; Thu, 10am-7pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 12pm-5pm. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 3001 E. Skyline Dr. WildeMeyer.com
tinues through Mon, Aug 31. Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 626-4215, CFA. arizona.edu/galleries
WOMANKRAFT ART GALLERY Spines N’ Things continues through Sat, July
Tue-Sat, 11am-5pm. 135 S. 6th Ave. 624-7370, EthertonGallery.com
32 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | July / August 2015
25. Wed-Sat; 1pm-5pm. 388 S. Stone Ave. 629-9976, WomanKraft.org
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July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 33
VANISHING CIRCLES JULY 11 – SEPTEMBER 13
Portraits of disappearing wildlife of the Sonoran Desert. From the permanent art collection of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
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Rachel Ivanyi — Net Loss
When you pay for metered parking with the convenient, free, GoTucson app, you can set up your own Prepaid Wallet. Each time you park, you can pay by drawing down your Wallet balance rather than charging your credit or debit card. Using the Prepaid Wallet also qualifies you for Park Tucson parking discounts made available only to customers who have funded TUCSON APP.COM through GO GO TUCSON APP.COM Prepaid Wallets GO TUCSON APP.COM
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34 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | July / August 2015
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Photo courtesy of Sea of Glass.
arts Z
The B-Side Players perform Thu, July 19 at Sea of Glass Center for the Arts.
photo: Ed Flores
Performances ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY Men Are From Mars–Women Are From Venus takes place Sat, Aug 22. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 884-8210, ArizonaTheatre.org
BLACK CHERRY BURLESQUE Tantalizing burlesque performance on Fri, July 5 and Fri, Aug 7. Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. 882-0009, TucsonBurlesque.com
ArtIfAct Dance Project
DON’T BLINK BURLESQUE The Tuesday Night Tease takes place every Tuesday night throughout July and August. Performance at The Hut on Sat, July 11 as part of Second Saturdays. The Hut, 305 N. 4th Ave. 245-0532, DontBlinkBurlesque.com
FOX THEATRE
HippieFest 2015 takes place Thu, July 9. Lyle Lovett and His Large Band perform Fri, July 24. Dennis DeYoung performs Fri, July 31. Jo Dee Messina performs Wed, Aug 5. Remember The King–Celebrating 80 Years of Elvis takes place Sun, Aug 9. The Glenn Miller Orchestra performs Wed, Aug 19. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic perform Fri, Aug 21. Twist and Shout–The Definitive Beatles Experience takes place Sat, Aug 22. Prices Vary. 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org
THE GASLIGHT THEATRE Space Wars continues through Sun, Aug 30. 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. 886-9428, TheGaslightTheatre.com
INVISIBLE THEATRE Sizzling Summer Sounds takes place throughout July and August at Skyline Country Club. See website for performers and times. 1400 N. 1st Ave. 882-9721, InvisibleTheatre.com
LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley continues through Sun, July 5. Bad Dates shows Thu, July 9- Sat, Aug 8. Princess And The Pea opens Sun, July 26. See website for prices and times. 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. 3274242, LiveTheatreWorkshop.org
NOT BURNT OUT JUST UNSCREWED Shows every Friday and Saturday throughout July and August. Unscrewed Theater, 3244 E. Speedway Blvd. 861-2986, UnscrewedComedy.com
ODYSSEY STORYTELLING SERIES Independence takes place Thu, July 9. Detours takes place Thu, Aug 6. 7:00pm; Free. The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St. 730-4112, OdysseyStoryTelling.com
THE ROGUE THEATRE The Picture of Dorian Gray shows Thu, July 16- Sun, July 26. 738 N. 5th Ave. 551-2053, TheRogueTheatre.org
SEA OF GLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS The B-Side Players perform
Artifact Dance Project presents “Impetus” Artifact Dance Project will begin their season of world premieres with a unique mixed repertoire concert featuring contemporary dance and music at its best. Co-artistic Directors, Ashley Bowman and Claire Hancock will premiere new works in addition to guest choreographers Tammy Dyke-Compton (UA Dance professor) and Christopher Compton (recent MFA graduate of UA Dance). Tammy and Christopher come from prolific professional careers in the dance world and bring their talents as choreographers and teachers to ADP. Musicians and composers, Ben Nisbet (ADP Music Director) and Ryan Alfred (band member of Calexico and founding member of Sweet Ghosts) will create several new works featuring the violin alongside inspirational electronic scores. The concert will feature ADP company dancers in addition to professional summer intensive dancers and apprentices. Located at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, UA campus, at 1713 E. University Blvd. Performance days and times are: Friday August 21, 7:30pm Saturday August 22, 7:30pm Sunday August 23, 2pm Concert Length approx: 1 hour + 15 minute intermission. Ticket Prices: $20 general, $15 Student. More information at 520-235-7638 or artifactdanceproject.org
Thu, July 19. Steven Graves performs Fri, July 24. Local musicians showcase featuring Peter McLaughlin, Rudy Cortese and Robyn Landis takes place Sat, July 18. CosmoPop® with TaliasVan & The Bright & Morning Star Band takes place Fri, Aug 14. 330 E. 7th St. TheSeaofGlass.org
July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 35
photo: Niccole Radhe
Z escape
Rose Canyon Lake Santa Catalina Mountain Range by Niccole Radhe Escape to the shady shores of Rose Canyon Lake this summer. The picturesque pines tower over rocky slopes, under the monsoon summer skies which reflect like a mirror off of the calm lake surface. The white puffy clouds stand out in front of the blue and green colors of the mountains and sky, and slowly make their way overhead. People dot the shoreline with fishing poles and picnics, catching crayfish with nets and enjoying the cool summer breeze of the Santa Catalina’s. Tucsonans are very lucky to live nearby; this is the only Sonoran Desert landscape to boast a high country lake within a 30-mile drive. Although there is a myriad of lakes in southern Arizona, none are as pleasant as Rose Canyon Lake for a cool summer escape. The lake is cold almost all summer long (until late August), and glitters with silver mica laden sand as the ducks wade past all of the quiet little fishing spots. Nestled just a few miles back into the ponderosa forest, this canyon is an amazing place for fishing, hiking, bird watching, photography and just relaxing by the shore. The Rose Canyon Recreation area is complete with over 70 camp sites, rest rooms, an amphitheater and many large covered group picnic areas. As a favorite place for anglers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts; this is the perfect place to be when scorching temperatures seemingly melt away the concrete jungle below. There is a hiking trail that extends around the shore of the lake with remarkable photographic opportunities and has many little trails that branch off into the higher reaches of the canyon hills. There are a few very important things to note when planning a good trip to Rose Canyon Lake. Arizona game and fish regulations apply. One must obtain a fishing permit and a trout stamp to fish. The trout can be eaten or caught and released and rainbow trout is prolific here and will be restocked on July 7, August 8 and August 31. During the busier holiday weekends it is highly rec36 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | July / August 2015
ommended to arrive as early as possible because the sites in this area fill up quickly. Reservations can be made to use the ramadas for large groups in the designated areas. The entire lake is dog friendly, however everyone must make sure that all pet waste is cleaned up properly, and are respectful of the anglers around the serene lake. Ice chests with food and drinks are welcome, but no glass is allowed. This is bear country, so make sure to pick up all trash and dispose of it in the bear-safe dumpsters located around the lake. Definitely use bear camping recommendations when spending the night. This gorgeous place is one of the best to have fun, very inexpensively and very close to home. Rose Canyon Lake will prove to be a memorable staycation for a day or an entire weekend. So get out of the heat and enjoy a lake side adventure this summer season! Making Your Escape: From the intersection of Grant Road and Tanque Verde Road. Head east on Tanque Verde Road approximately 5 miles to the intersection of Tanque Verde Road and Catalina Highway. Turn left to head north and continue 17 miles up Catalina Highway to Rose Canyon Campground. It is clearly marked and the campground is on the left hand side of the highway. There is a day usage fee of $9.00 up to 6 people per vehicle, or camping fee of $20.00 per vehicle up to 6 people. ONLY at the lake can you purchase an Annual Day Use Pass for $55.00. Extra person, walk-in, or bicycle cost is $1.00 per person. There are 43 sites that will be available for camping on a first come first service basis. Starting this year there will be 30 assigned tent/RV sites that can be reserved through www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777. These sites do not have hookups. Water is available at the campground. The Campground will accept the “America the Beautiful” Senior and Access pass for fifty-percent off camping. Happy trails! n
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July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 37
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poetry Z
The author of nine poetry collections, Steve Orlen was a wellloved creative writing teacher at the University of Arizona. He passed away in 2010, but his presence continues to be felt in the lives of the many friends, artists, and students fortunate enough to have known him.
Zócalo invites poets with Tucson connections to submit up to three original, previously unpublished (including online) poems, any style, 40 line limit per poem. Our only criterion is excellence. No online submissions. Simultaneous submissions ok if you notify ASAP of acceptance elsewhere. Please include the following contact information on each page of your manuscript: mailing address, phone number, and email address. All manuscripts must be typed and accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). Ms won’t be returned. Zócalo has first North American rights; author may re-publish with acknowledgment to Zócalo. Payment is a one year subscription. Address submissions to Zócalo, Poetry, P.O. Box 1171, Tucson, AZ 85702. The poetry editor is Jefferson Carter.
July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 39
Z tunes
Head Over Heels Tucson’s Newest Breakout Band Hones in on Vintage Sounds and Voguish Motifs By Jon D’Auria
40 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | July / August 2015
tunes Z
J
ordan Prather, one half of the indie-pop duo Head Over Heart, carefully navigates his way around countless cables and stacks of musical gear in his band’s university-area rehearsal studio. Sporting a neatly tucked in collared shirt, slacks, loafers and wide-brimmed glasses, Prather seems most at ease when he is surrounded by his large arsenal of musical gear that includes everything from keyboards, synthesizers, guitars, basses, samplers and computers. It’s an odd juxtaposition to see such a dapper gent dressed to the nines standing amidst heaps of tangled and contorted cables and wires, but there’s a method to the madness, and Prather seems to be the only one who can decipher it. “It was really hard for me to wrap my brain around it, to be honest. You grow up reading and watching these huge media staples and then one day you see your own work on them it’s truly surreal. I still don’t think it’s fully set in that our music was broadcast on such a large scale.” He’s talking about the widespread attention Head Over Heart received from their debut music video for their single “No Sleep” that premiered on Entertainment Weekly and MTVu to critical acclaim. Directed by Alex Italics, the video captures a Freudian-themed psychological dreamscape illustrated through vivid images, colorful backdrops and several cameos from local Tucson musicians. It’s rare that a band comes as neatly packaged and heavily branded as HOH was right out of the gate, but the meticulous and precisely calculated marketing of the outfit is all part of Prather’s grand plan. His counterpart, the other half of the musical duo, arrives at the rehearsal space looking as fashionable and well put together as her band mate. Belinda Esquer, who models when she’s not writing songs or contributing to the band as a multi-instrumentalist, has all of the looks of a pop superstar accompanied by a powerful voice that emotes a mix of shy vulnerability and coquettish sultriness. She plugs in her guitar and bass and turns on her keyboard while perusing the set list and conversing with Prather. The two have much to prepare for with their chaotic schedule ahead that includes a mini tour in August, a handful of new recordings to execute and a 1950s-themed vinyl release party slotted for July 17th. The band is also busy harnessing their pop sound that has taken an obvious turn to the classic bop tones of the ‘50s as of late. But the change in their music was one that happened naturally and was openly embraced by both members. “After our first album, I Believe You Liar (2014), we had created songs that were a bit different sounding in comparison to the first ones we had written together. These new songs had a 1950s vibe that we didn’t plan or anticipate would turn out that way. We decided to run with it and just let things flow in that direction and that’s how this most recent batch of songs came about,” explains Esquer. “We’re always making new music whether we’re alone or together,” adds Prather. “We can’t turn it off, which leads to many late nights that highly accelerate my on-going transition into becoming a zombie. On the other hand, Belinda is unaffected and has taken the Benjamin Button route; she seems to keep getting younger every day.” Trading an electro-snyth rock style for a vintage pop vibe has helped the duo find their musical identity, as the maturation of their songwriting becomes more evident with each of their frequent new releases. The two songs featured on their upcoming vinyl, “I Don’t Mind” and “Fall Back In Love” feature the sweetly contrasting voices of the two singers, who croon over melodic guitar riffs, hard-bopping key sections and the intricate beats of touring member and
drum ace, Junior Medina. “We’d been talking about releasing a single, but realized that “I Don’t Mind” and “Fall Back In Love” go very well together and that they both have a 50s or 60s sort of pop feel to them, while still maintaining our individual sound,” says Prather. “Vinyl seemed like a wonderful choice at that point. Not to mention that taking photos based on album covers from the 1950s is just plain old cheese-filled fun.” Like life, music is as much about reacting to what is thrown your way as it is planning out what will happen next. Any musician worth their keep possesses the ability to improvise when an unexpected change arises and know when to transform something major into minor. No strangers to that principle, it was an unexpected series of events and well-timed synchronicity that brought the plutonic collaborators together in 2013 after their musical and romantic scripts went off course. “When we first met a couple of years back, Belinda and I were in separate bands and were each romantically involved with a band member that we were playing with. Our relationships with them ended at about the same time and we split from our bands and decided to try out playing together to see if it made sense. We hit it off and started writing and recording right away. It was really a smooth and immediate transition for us from what could’ve been a really bad situation,” explains Prather. “It made a lot of sense for us to start playing together and we immediately found that we liked a lot of the same music and had a lot of the same influences,” adds Esquer. “We continue to evolve as a band as situations change in our lives and our sound will naturally evolve along with it. I’m not sure where this all will lead us to next, but we’re excited to find out.” As much as their music has progressed over the past two years, so has their live show, as the pair continues to find their onstage identity; locking in their musical performances while intertwining visual elements into their concerts. HOH has already established a big following in Tucson, Phoenix and parts of Mexico, where the band tours regularly with other acts that are signed to the label that Prather co-founded, Commercial Appeal Records. Part of the blueprint for the future of the band lies in boosting the amount of time they spent touring and exploring new markets. “Our shows are a combination of pure panic (on my end) and poor dancing (again all me), all while having a blast with two incredibly talented musicians in Belinda and Junior,” says Prather. “We’d like to think our performances are very danceable, fun and honest. We’re not playing characters on stage. I’m very sarcastic and Belinda is incredibly genuine. I think our shows have progressed a lot over time.” You can catch Head Over Heart performing live on August 1st at Flycatcher on 4th Avenue at 8:00pm and also on July 17th at Flux Theatre for their Vinyl Release Party at 8:00pm (invite only, so request ticketing from their Facebook page). You can download their music on iTunes/headoverheart and preview their latest material at soundcloud.com/headoverheart. n For more information visit www.headoverheartmusic.com or follow them at www.facebook.com/headoverheartband
July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 41
COMING THIS SUMMER
at the Crown Jewel of Downtown
17 WEST CONGRESS
Buy tickets at foxtucson.com or call (520) 547-3040
HIPPIEFEST 2015
NPC TERMINATOR
JULY 9 | 7:30PM
JO DEE MESSINA
FUNKADELIC
AUG 21 | 7:30PM
JUL 24 | 7:30PM
DENNIS DEYOUNG
REMEMBER THE KING
COMEDY FOR CHARITY
GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
DANA CARVEY
SEPT 22| 7:30PM Co-presented with the Rialto
80 Years of Elvis
AUG 5 | 7:30PM
GEORGE CLINTON and PARLIAMENT
JUL 11| 10AM JULY 11 | 6PM
LYLE LOVETT & His Large Band
Physique Competition
AUG 9 | 2:00PM
TWIST AND SHOUT Definitive
Beatles Experience AUG 22 | 7:30PM
2015 Chasing Rainbows Gala EMMYLOU HARRIS & RODNEY CROWELL
SEPT 27| 7:00PM Tickets: $75 General | $250 VIP (Sponsorships Available) 42 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | July / August 2015
AUG 16 | 2:00PM
SEPT 18 | 7:30PM
“ALIEN” “E.T” “THE MATRIX” “CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND”
JUL 31 | 7:30PM
AUG 19 | 7:00PM
LILA DOWNS
JUL 18 | 7:30PM JUL 25 | 7:30PM AUG 1 | 7:30PM AUG 15 | 7:30PM
July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 43
Z tunes
Tapping the Collective Unconscious by Jamie Manser photo: Taylor Noel Photography
44 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | July / August 2015
tunes Z
“H
e was laying there (in the hospital) and he told me, ‘All the songs are written, we don’t write the songs. We listen and we communicate the songs,’ which is something I’ve always believed.” Singer/ songwriter/guitarist Carlos Arzate is speaking with depth and sincerity while relating a conversation he had with dearly departed Tucson musician Cyril Barrett last year, before cancer whisked Barrett’s life from his body. “I’ve always believed that the melody that came into me or that I thought I was inspired by was already existing, whether it was decades ago or centuries ago,” Arzate shares. “The voice is the first instrument – some would argue the drum – but I think the voice is the first soul instrument that connects, so I was beside myself when he said that.” It all makes sense. Listening to Got Me Wrong, the first full-length by Carlos Arzate and the Kind Souls, it feels evident that Arzate is culling from the collective unconscious. While several of his songs are deeply personal, they touch emotions we all experience; these cuts connect us to the frustration, sadness and anger of social injustice, the pain of losing a love one and the resoluteness of changing one’s outlook on life. The 11 tracks are a powerful convergence of soul, rock, blues and folk, featuring an absolutely stellar line-up of Tucson’s finest musicians. Carlos is measured, but clearly beyond the moon when talking about the talent on this disk. While we listen to the album and discuss the nuances of each piece, he points out who is doing what and where and is touched by the creative efforts of the Kind Souls. “What’s been great about this is being able to work with the musicians I’ve wanted to work with in Tucson – I asked them (to collaborate) and they said yes.” It is easy to get behind a project that spears the dominant paradigm, humanizes political footballs and reminds us that we aren’t alone in our struggles. Carlos’ friend and consistent musical colleague Keli Carpenter contributes her honeyed vox to six of the cuts, Katherine Byrnes sings on three tracks and
Crystal Stark vocally joins those two on one tune. The other amazing performers include: Nadim Shehab (drums), Aaron Hultstrand (electric guitar), Collin Shook (piano, organ, vibraphone), Brian Lopez (guitar, vocals), Gabriel Sullivan (guitar, vocals), Salvador Duran (vocals), Efren Cruz Chavez (congas, guiro), Thoger Lund (cello), Ryan Green (acoustic guitar), and Ryan Alfred (bass, synthesizers, guitars, plus production and mixing.) “Ryan Alfred was instrumental in encouraging the development of my songwriting and growth as a performer,” Arzate elucidates. “His talents and direction are stamped on the record as a performer and a producer. He has a knack of knowing exactly what my song calls for and is all ears when it comes to allowing me to flesh out my ideas against his gifted musical mind. His professionalism and attention to detail is a great counter balance to my raw inspired musical creations.” There’s something to be said for finessing rough edges. The clean, yet authentic production values lure the listener into these literary sketches. Tales of life and death, the financial meltdown, the migrant trail, loved ones speaking from beyond the grave, lovers leaving us, the evolution of personal narratives, songs of escapism that know the truth but don’t want to deal anymore. Straightforward, deep messages without being heavy handed. Songs that viscerally touch and connect us, heart-wrenching and gut punching at times – but in a good way. Hopefully in a way that will inspire and mobilize social change. An absolutely gorgeous album well worth adding to one’s collection. n Got Me Wrong is set for release on Sept. 1 on iTunes. The band is playing on July 31 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Fall tour dates include: Sept. 3, Hermosillo; Sept. 4, Phoenix; Sept. 5, Tucson; Sept. 6, Bisbee; Sept. 18, Prescott; Sept. 19, Flagstaff; Sept. 20, Tucson. Times, cover charges, locations and more will be available at CarlosArzate.com.
July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 45
Photo courtesy of HotelCongress.com
“Eagles of Death Metal” perform at Hotel Congress on Wed, Aug 26.
Schedules accurate as of press time. Visit the websites or call for current/ detailed information.
2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN Congress Street, 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com JULY Sat 11: The Dusty Buskers, Tesoro, Belly Dance Tucson, LeeAnne Savage & Her Curveball Cowboys AUGUST: Sat 8: See website for lineup
BOONDOCKS LOUNGE 3306 N. 1st Ave. 690-0991, BoondocksLounge.com JULY: Sat 11: The Far West with Kevin Pakulis Band
BORDERLANDS BREWING 119 E. Toole Ave. 261-8773, BorderlandsBrewing.com JULY: Thu 2: U of A Jazz Jam Fri 3: Dash Pocket Sat 4: Mustang Corners Thu 9: Still Life Telescope Fri 10: Tesoro Sat 11: Tortolita Gutpluckers Thu 16: U of A Jazz Jam Fri 17: Shrimp Chaperone Sat 18: The Muffulettas Sat 25: Ice-9
Fri 31: Linda Lou & The Desert Drifters
CAFE PASSE 415 N. 4th Ave. 624-4411, CafePasse.com See website for details.
CLUB CONGRESS 311 E. Congress St. 622-8848, HotelCongress.com/club JULY: Wed 1: Best Dog Awards Thu 2: The Appleseed Cast Vitalis Sun 5: Lenguas Largas and Street Eaters Tue 7: The Weirdos Fri 10: Forest Fallows Sat 11: Mac Sabbath Sun 12: Dan Stuart and Tom Heyman Wed 15: Signals Farewell Show Wed 22: Dos Santos & Karikatura Mon 27: The Beautiful Ones AUGUST: Sat 1: Arstidir Sun 2: Brick + Mortar Mon 3: Unknown Mortal Orchestra Mon 10: Marriages Wed 12: Amanda X Fri 14: Watsky Wed 19: Rocky Votolato Wed 26: Eagles of Death Metal
LA COCINA 201 N. Court Ave. 622-0351, LaCocinaTucson.com
Photo courtesy of Tommy Tucker.
Photo courtesy of RamsHeadOnStage.com
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“Jo Dee Messina” performs at Fox Tucson Theatre on Wed, Aug 5.
"Tommy Tucker" performs at Elliot's On Congress on Tuesdays throughout July and August.
JULY AND AUGUST: Sundays: Mik and the Funky Brunch Saturdays: DJ Herm, Harpist Vesna Zulsky Wednesdays: Miss Lana Rebel and Kevin Michael Mayfield Most Fridays: The Greg Morton Band JULY: Thu 2: Freddy Parish Fri 3: Bajo @ LaCo Fri 17: Cold Sweat! AUGUST: Thu 6: Fredd Parish Fri 7: Bajo @ LaCo Thu 20: Mitzi Cowell
CUSHING STREET BAR & RESTAURANT 198 W. Cushing St. 622-7984, CushingStreet.com Saturdays: Jazz
TheFlycatcherTucson.com See website for details.
FOX TUCSON THEATRE 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org JULY: Thu 9: HippieFest 2015 Fri 24: Lyle Lovett and His Large Band Fri 31: Dennis DeYoung AUGUST: Wed 5: Jo Dee Messina Sun 9: Remember the KingCelebrating Elvis Wed 19: The Glenn Miller Orchestra Fri 21: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Sat 22: Twist and Shout
HACIENDA DEL SOL
533 N. 4th Ave. 884-9289, Delectables.com Fridays and Saturdays: Live music
5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol. 2991501, HaciendaDelSol.com JULY: Sun 5: Michael P. & The Gully Washers Sun 12: The Van Dykes Sun 19: Amosphere Sun 26: Little House of Funk
ELLIOT’S ON CONGRESS
MONTEREY COURT
135 E. Congress St. 622-5500, ElliotsOnCongress.com JULY AND AUGUST: Tuesdays: Tommy Tucker
505 W. Miracle Mile, MontereyCourtAZ.com JULY: Wed 1: Nick McBlaine & Log Train Tue 7: Nancy McCallion & Danny Krieger
DELECTABLES RESTAURANT & CATERING
FLYCATCHER 340 E. 6th St. 798-1298,
Thu 9: The Long Wait w/ Celeste Amadee Fri 10: Giant Blue Sat 11: Pistachio- Berkely CA Jam Band Sun 12: Roll Acosta Wed 15: Eric Schaffer, Ed Delucia & The Other Troublemakers AUGUST: Wed 5: Nick McBlaine & Log Train 278 E. Congress. 396-3691, PlaygroundTucson.com See website for details.
Trash and The Trainwrecks Thu 30: Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra AUGUST: Sat 1: Every Time I Die: Common Vision Tour Sat 8: Enanitos Verdes Sun 9: Grace Potter Thu 13: Raekwon & Ghostface Sun 16: Emily’s D-Evolution Thu 20: Snow Tha Product Sun 23: Baby Bash & MC Magic Wed 26: Eric Hutchinson Sun 30: Rodney Atkins
RIALTO THEATRE
SKY BAR TUCSON
PLAYGROUND TUCSON
318 E. Congress St. 740-1000, RialtoTheatre.com JULY: Thu 2: The Appleseed Cast “Mare Vitalis” Fri 3: Bob Log III and His Great ‘Murican Bday Bash Wed 8: Machine Gun Kelly Thu 9: Jake Shimabukuro Fri 10: The English Beat Sat 11: Lord Huron Sun 12: Maldita Vecinidad Wed 15: Strfkr Fri 17: Trapfest Sat 18: Billy Joe Shaver Sun 19: Cubanismo Wed 22: Death Grips Fri 24: Coal Chamber Sat 25: Freak Fest II feat. Texas
536 N. 4th Ave, 622-4300. SkyBarTucson.com See website for details.
SOLAR CULTURE 31 E. Toole Ave. 884-0874, SolarCulture.org JULY: Sat 18: An Evening of Zen Meditation Music with Shakuhachi Flute
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Don’t Freak Out, But Chicha Dust Is Recording a Studio Album. Like Now. Right Now. by Craig Baker
Neither of the duel front men and co-masterminds behind local Latin rockfusion band Chicha Dust expected the project to achieve any kind of success. In fact, the entire idea of playing Chicha music together began as something of a joke between Gabriel Sullivan and Brian Lopez while they were touring Europe together toward the end of 2011. Lopez had been listening to a Chicha music compilation CD throughout the tour and, when he showed it to Sullivan, things just started happening. “We were totally obsessed with it,” says Sullivan, adding, “It was the coolest guitar we had heard in forever.” And so, they started working Chicha songs into their regular sets and were shocked by the reception from the European audience. Both musicians had been contemplating the possibility of collaborating for some time at that point, but there was an instant connection between Sullivan and Lopez when it came to the trippy 1960s Peruvian cumbia genre—a type of music that, until Barbès Records released their first Roots of Chicha compilation in 2007, had remained relatively underground according to Lopez. The unique sounds created by using the classical fingerpicking method across the electric spectrum energized the two musicians and they set to work learning the canon. It took about five months to get the band’s lineup just right and, even then, the guys weren’t sure they’d ever play anything bigger than a restaurant or private party. And still, despite their inability to take the side project 48 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | July / August 2015
seriously at first, people kept coming to their shows. “It’s funny,” says Lopez, “because we’d both been doing singer/songwriter stuff for a long time, just busting our asses, and we put together a joke-band almost and instantly have way more of a following than we ever did on our own.” In fact, the guys were so hesitant to bank on the group bringing in any real income that the details seemed to take care of themselves, without any added effort from the band members. “We consciously refused to give any legitimacy to the band,” says Sullivan. “The name (came from) us just drinking beer in our backyard one day …someone threw that out and we went with it,” he says, “and we fought hard to stay of the internet for a long time.” Without any internet presence whatsoever—not even an audio track on YouTube or a single recorded mp3 file—the band built a healthy following through word of mouth about their energetic live performances. Despite the minimal nature of Chicha Dust’s marketing efforts, that word-of-mouth led to the band being invited to perform at South x Southwest in 2013. Reluctantly, in order to fulfill their requirements for their SxSW contract, the band finally made a Facebook page after about two solid years in operation. Soon thereafter, an invitation to play at the Les Escales world music festival in France prompted the guys to record their first album, eight tracks of classic Chicha covers titled ¡Live
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Photos - left: Screenshot from the music video for the album’s (tentative) title track ‘Bloodline’, shot and directed by Daniel Martin Diaz. Above: Chicha Dust performs last year at the Mercado San Agustin streetcar launch party. at the Dust Ballroom! They only had two days to plan for the event, but within those 48 hours they’d rented an empty warehouse to use as a venue, hired a team of videographers, recruited Jim Waters of Waterworks recording to lug all of the necessary audio engineering equipment to the site, and enticed more than 100 of their fans to come out for the two-hour set. The beer that the band provided was available for donations, which were collected in accordance with the honor system. Now, fresh off of yet another tour across France—where Lopez and Sullivan both enjoy a modest following—the pair of Chicha Dust singer/guitarists have been spending the bulk of their time in the band’s newly-acquired and remodeled studio and practice space off of N Stone Ave near Glenn. With the help of the other band members (especially drummer Winston Watson, who is something of a collector of musical instruments), Lopez and Sullivan compiled all of the group’s equipment and moved it into the roughly 2000 square foot space situated in a non-descript, underused retail plaza in midtown Tucson. They built a control room and covered it in recycled wooden boards; they made an attempt at soundproofing by drooping burlap coffee sacks from the ceiling; they lined the walls with myriad musical instruments, from guitars to mandolins and filled the rest of the space with even more—drums, a giant gong, and plenty of strangely-shaped items that may as well have been antique gardening equipment as instruments in the eyes of your melodically-challenged narrator. When I visited the space in the middle of last month, Lopez and Sullivan were in the midst of putting the finishing touches on Chicha Dust’s first ever studio LP—tentatively titled Bloodline—which is scheduled for release somewhere around early February of next year. Sullivan says that the band has currently completed the basic tracking for around fifteen or sixteen tracks, each one a Chicha Dust original. That doesn’t mean that all of those songs will make the final cut, though, or that a classic Chicha cover won’t find its way onto the album, either. From the little bit of the album I was able to hear during my visit to the studio, I think it’s safe to say that fans of the band can feel okay getting pumped
for it. And no doubt it’ll turn a few new ears toward the ‘Dust, as well. Self-produced in tandem with the experienced Sullivan at the helm assisted by Lopez, the couple of tracks I got to hear, including the album’s title track, had all the interdimensional appeal of the vintage Peruvian cumbia classics you’ve come to love via Chicha Dust, plus a heavy dose of rock and roll grit. “Bloodline”—which features vocals by both Sullivan and Lopez over what I’ll call a rusty, Latin tumbleweed ballad—may well mark an innovative turning point for the band, which features two very different rock vocalists/guitarists who are both more than comfortable putting an Afro-Cuban rhythm to work, but have less background writing new music together than, as Lopez put it, “paying their due diligence” to Chicha music as a genre by focusing on classic covers. “Now, we’ve been through all the Chicha stuff and back,” says Lopez of the bands constantly evolving style, “and we’ve gone back to more of a rock element, but we still have that Chicha thing infused and it’s something that seems to be taking on a life of its own.” There is also a video for the (tentative) title track, shot and edited by local artist Daniel Martin Diaz, who (thank goodness) has not yet made the permanent move to L.A. The video is minimalist stylistically, featuring the band playing live somewhere in the Sonoran Desert, and it’s shot with a filter that I can only describe as Instagram-meets-Reservoir-Dogs. All-in-all, it seems a fitting tribute to Chicha Dust’s hybrid southwestern and Latin-American roots. Hence, the title, “Bloodline.” Get it? Chicha Dust’s sound is distinctly Tucson, probably because the guys in the band have deliberately let everything that’s come to them do so organically. “We’ve made a real decision to never force anything in this band, and it’s worked out so well for us,” says Sullivan, “We’ve just kind of sat back and had fun with it and whatever happens, happens.” And, guess what, Tucson? It’s all happening now. n For more information, visit Chicha Dust’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/chichadust. July / August 2015 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 49
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by Andrew Brown / @aemerybrown
Alec Laughlin & Terry Etherton
Ishi
Pride Rally
Pride Rally
Yacht Rock 50 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | July / August 2015
MOCA Mobile Pools opening
Pride Rally
Tony Rosano
Pride Rally
Pride Rally
Yacht Rock