Z贸calo
Tucson arts and culture / ZOCALOMAGAZINE.COM / june 2014 / no. 53
index June 2014 05. Tidbits 06. Business 11. Community 12. Arts 35. Summer Camps 41. Events 43. Food & Drink 49. Garden 51. Escape 52. Tunes 58. Life in Tucson On the cover:
Tucson photographer and writer Steve Renzi captures the cultural activities of El Día de San Juan Fiesta. Learn more on page 33.
Zócalo is an independent, locally owned and printed magazine that relects the heart and soul of Tucson.
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Olsen EDITOR Jamie Manser CONTRIBUTORS Craig Baker, Marisa Bernal, Andrew Brown, Jon D’Auria, Jamie Manser, Brandon Merchant, Jade Nunes, Niccole Radhe, Steve Renzi, Herb Stratford, Monica Surfaro Spigelman, Eric Swedlund. 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 Zocalo Magazine is printed in Tucson at Sundance Press.
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from the editor
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There’s something awesome about Tucson summers. Awesome, as in the Dictionary.com definition of the word, “inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear.” Do you ever feel those twinges of thermophobia when you get into a car and hope not to burn yourself by touching… anything? And then there’s the (literally) breathtaking oven-blasts of a summer gust when just inhaling feels like your lungs are being scorched. It’s no surprise that we scuttle like lizards from house to car to building, seeking cover from the increasingly hotter climes – survival! It’s not all bad though. The first push of summer brings the perfect conditions for swamp coolers, a Tucson staple; the second summer season sees the return of the glorious monsoons, or chubascos. It seems that the monsoons generally start in July, but local lore put the start of the season on June 24. Legend says that on June 24, 1540, Spanish conquistador Francisco Vasquez Coronado prayed to “Saint John the Baptist for rain and shortly after, the rains came,” as Steve Renzi writes in his Dancing Up a Storm article on page 33. El Dia de San Juan is an annual Old Pueblo event and a super way to explore and embrace the Westside’s cultural traditions. And, good thing it mostly takes place a night. There’s a lot of great events at night this month, including Brew at the Zoo (page 43), the Emergency Circus fundraiser at Hotel Congress (page 28) and the Fluxx Fundraiser (page 11), aimed to raise money to keep its doors open. Honestly, I took Fluxx’s presence for granted over the years, and hope they can pull together enough dough to stay afloat. The nonprofit taught me much about gender bias and the queer community; I owe my expanded understanding to Fluxx’s Executive Director Dante Caleiro and Media Director Rachel Castillo. Whatever happens, Fluxx Productions deserves a big thank you for everything the organization has done for Tucson. – Jamie Manser
tidbits
Learn all about mesquite harvesting this month with Desert Harvesters' events.
Mesquite Harvesting Time!
WAMO News
While accustomed mesquite pod collectors know that June marks the beginning of the harvest, they also know they generally have to find a place to store their pods for months before the Desert Harvesters' November milling events. Alas, the storage and waiting period is over! This year, the organization is hosting several events to educate people about harvesting, along with offering milling. On June 19, separate walking (5 p.m.) and biking (6 p.m.) tours are schedule and will help participants “identify and sample the best-tasting mesquite trees, how to harvest safely, ethically, and responsibly, and cool tricks,” says the press release. That same day are bean tree processing demonstrations where attendees can learn how to “turn milled or whole desert ironwood seeds, palo verde seeds, and mesquite pods into numerous tasty dishes ranging from sprouts to edamame to desert peanuts to atole to sauces and beyond.” That runs from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Both events are based at the Santa Cruz River Farmers' Market, 100 S. Avenida del Convento (west of I-10 at Congress and Grande). On Sunday, June 22 at Exo Roast Co., 403 N. 6th Ave., mesquite harvesters can get their pods milled from 6 a.m.-9 a.m. “Pods for milling must be clean, dry, and free of mold/fungus, stones, leaves, and other debris. Cost: $3/gallon of whole pods, with a minimum of $10.” The event also will feature: “A native wild foods demonstration, highlighting what’s in harvest season now; Exo’s mesquite-, mole-, and chiltepin-infused coffees, mesquite baked goods and cactus fruit popsicles; sale of seeds and seedlings of the best-tasting native bean trees and chiltepines—so you can plant yours in time for the rains.”
The Warehouse Artists' Management Organization is keeping busy, as evinced by its recent newsletter update. In it, the nonprofit shares that the "The Steinfeld Community Art Center is emerging! Work continues on the electrical upgrade to allow Steinfeld to be fully electrified within a month. Xerocraft hacker space and Conrad Wilde Gallery are set to have facilities stabilized and be active shortly. Many events have happened in the main space from the Cardboard Ball, to film set staging, and University sponsored art shows." WAMO is also planning its 2nd Annual Toole Avenue Art Walk (TAART) for this fall, and "new components, including container art and international lantern displays, will make this a unique experience. Laser light projections on downtown buildings and a parade, along with performance artists will create an unforgettable evening." In other WAMO updates, the "Citizens Artist Collective has begun the process of designing and planning to install an Americans with Disabilities Ramp (ADA) to the first floor of Citizens Warehouse by mid summer. With the help of the University of Arizona College of Architecture, volunteer students are assembling a materials list, along with working drawings to make the project take shape." Get other warehouse news at WAMOTucson.org.
Find more information at DesertHarvesters.org. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 5
Alok Appadurai and Jade Beall
Tailored Made for Downtown Fed By Threads Opens New Doors by Lee Allen If passion and commitment were spendable dollars, Alok Appadurai, co-founder of Fed By Threads, would be a rich man. To begin with, his fledgling Made-in-America sustainable clothing company has proven successful. Its campaign to feed the hungry with each garment sold has wildly exceeded expectations, and he recently moved his flagship showroom from the foot of Fourth Avenue into the heart of Downtown’s revitalization. “The next few months are absolutely going to rock,” adds the enthusiastic and energetic entrepreneur who opened store doors at Third Avenue and Ninth Street in November 2012. The path of progress has been onward and upward ever since. “The things I’ve wanted to do in my life have bloomed in the desert. “Our Fourth Avenue venue spoke to the choir as a destination site because clients had to make an effort to find us. And once they did, they found a one-rack-at-a-time-pop-up site,” he says, because his partner Jade Beall conducted yoga classes and photography sessions at the store until noon—after which time Alok got five hours a day to sell his creations 6 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
before they got rolled into storage again to make room for evening dance classes. Downtown is different - a one thousand square foot facility at 350 E. Congress St. “I want to create a retail clothes shopping experience that I‘ve never walked into, but have always dreamed about. Our downtown build-out made things simple because our concerns were in the small details, things like low VOC paints and concrete sealer and re-purposed shipping pallets transformed into wall displays.” Having encountered opening day postponements earlier this year, the two block migration to become a part of the Downtown community happened on May 17 with a grand opening. “I’ve watched Downtown go through a complete renaissance in my short time here, a shockingly fast transition compared to larger cities I grew up in, and it’s thrilling to add our name to the list of what’s happening Downtown.” Abutting landmarks like The Cadence and the Rialto Theatre, Fed By
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Threads is the only clothing retailer in a four block stretch of Downtown, in “a dense corridor of restaurants. We’ll add a different element to the shopping experience and counterbalance a lot of what is already there. We’re a homegrown business that will bring the Tucson-based element to the Downtown experience.” Appadurai says the reality of the flagship Fed By Threads Congress Street store will allow him to “open new doors and do things I couldn’t do before—the fulfillment of one of my many dreams.” Known by some through the FBT acronym, the garment outlet bills itself as Tucson’s and America’s only organic, sustainable, no animal product, Made-in-America clothing line and boutique with a humanitarian bent. “Early on, I got a goose bump moment when I read that 51 million Americans faced food insecurity,” he says. “At that time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but knew I had to do something to help. So we set a goal to donate 12 meals for every garment sold (four through the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and eight through Feeding America). These may not be five-course, sit-down gastronomic delights, but if you have nothing, they can be lifesavers. Our first goal was 400 meals. Sell three dozen shirts, donate 400 meals total, and we could sleep peacefully knowing we had made a positive contribution.” The second goal was a bit more ambitious, 10,000 meals. “Once this concept of Fed By Threads got rolling, we decided to get
crazy and up the goal. In our first year, we provided over 21,000 meals. So we got even crazier and set a three-year, 100,000 meal goal. It took only a year and eight months to hit that mark. We’re thinking that 500,000 meals in the next three years might be do-able and a million ultimately wouldn’t be a ridiculous figure. Fed By Threads would be nothing if we didn’t provide food. That’s the heart of who we are and what we do.” While FBT moves into Downtown, the previous facility at 435 E. Ninth St. is staying in the family as the home location for Beall’s photo studio, art gallery, and yoga and dance location. The activity level at that site shouldn’t diminish as Jade has recently released 3,000 copies of her Project Body Beautiful book dedicated to prenatal and post-birth mothers and aimed at redefining the concept of beautiful. Other works for publication are expected to be created at the Ninth Street location. Once the East Congress Street store is established and a Tucson-based production facility of in-house tailors is lined up, Appadurai has even bigger plans. “I want this flagship store to become a model. I don’t want a thousand stores across America, but I would like five to 10 really amazing experiences in key markets and this new Downtown location will be my litmus test toward fulfilling that dream.” n Get more information at FedByThreads.com or call (520) 222-9827. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 7
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Fluxx's Final Funding Push by Craig Baker
On a Thursday morning in early May at nonprofit gallery and performing arts space Fluxx Productions, the main performance area was undergoing a sort of shift change. The chairs for the evening’s improv comedy show had only been set up on one half of the room when I found Executive Director and Founder Dante Celeiro by himself amidst the echo of hardwood floors and high ceilings. He and I each pulled a chair from a stack and parked across from each other in the open area. We were both wearing white v-neck T-shirts, jeans, and two-day-old beards. He was sporting a black and white trucker hat with the word “QUEER” printed on it in red. The space at 414 E. 9th St., just east of 4th Avenue, is impeccably clean and brightly lit. A statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe overlooks everyone who enters from a nook just above the front door. The nook glows slightly red. The adjacent room features hardwood flooring and all of the trimmings of a flourishing theater company: a red-curtained stage in front; a cumbersome tech booth at the back complete with a mixing board of sorts (the kind with buttons that slide rather than push); a spotlight. A tiny altar has been erected behind the booth of colored bits of paper, hand-drawn pictures, words of inspiration in blue and yellow, the biggest of which reads HOPE in bold hand-lettering. Celeiro says that he and his volunteers have done all of the renovating—the stage construction, the flooring, the painting, even the construction of the tech booth—themselves, without the help of contractors. He is committed to this place and had even hoped to one day buy the building. Currently, it is a dream deferred. When Celeiro demonstrates the lighting capabilities for me after our hour-long conversation, his enthusiasm about what Fluxx has to offer is clear. He explains that when he moved to Tucson from New York 14 years ago, he was in the middle of his transition toward having the male body that matched the gender-wiring in his brain, and that it was the genderbending performance group Boys R Us—really still in its infancy at that time—that made him feel at home here. “They had this energy,” says Celeiro, “and I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I knew I wanted to be a part of it.” He began performing with the group early on and eventually became their manager. Celeiro began building an extensive collection of theater equipment just to make sure that the troupe had ready-to-go what some venues didn’t keep in their own arsenals. And thus, after gaining some local attention for hosting the 2009 International Drag King Exposition Downtown, Fluxx Productions' name and logo began appearing on the literature for Boys R Us shows. Another year later, Celeiro signed the lease to the current space on 9th Street. He has operated the goings-on of the only lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer (LGBTQ) focused art space and venue in the Southwest ever since and says the announcement of Fluxx’s “imminent closure” at the end of June was intensely emotional for him. “When I started writing everything down,” says Celeiro of the 900-word farewell/plea for help that appeared on the venue’s website and in press releases at the end of April, “what it is we do, the stuff we’ve done, and so much more we want to do—I had a meltdown.” It is understandable. There is a lot more at stake here for the gallery/ performance space owner than the loss of this art space if the organization can’t meet the roughly $50,000 goal by the end of June. Celeiro is also
living in a loft at the rear of the building. Space, he says, that he eventually intended to utilize for the expansion of the stage and seating area. It was about six months ago when agents from the Arizona Department of Liquor dropped by a potluck-style performance event at Fluxx to inform the nonprofit that their model of pouring beer and wine for 21-and-over patrons in exchange for donations was against the law. Celeiro maintains not only that the idea to serve alcohol in exchange for donations is still common practice among nonprofits and arts groups without liquor licenses, but goes on to say that his organization was “targeted.” Celeiro says that another business owner had filed a complaint against Fluxx specifically and so they were forced to take the booze out of the business plan. The goal was to get a liquor license and eventually restore their regular fiscal model, but that, it turned out, was going to take a lot more than Fluxx had initially thought. To do so would require funds to meet the almost $5,000 monthly rent and expenses while the license was in review, $10,000 to renovate a bathroom to make it Americans With Disabilities Act compliant, and finally, the basic cost of getting the license, which was another roughly $10,000—not to mention back-paying bills that had apparently already begun piling up. And thus, the total figure needed to save the LGBTQ art hub now seems insurmountable without some sort of windfall. Celeiro says that nonprofit dollars in the form of grants and even member funds have been on the decline, explaining that the community buzz about what they were doing at Fluxx seemed to have worn off after the first few years of operation. Add to that the loss of grants and Celeiro has been barely making it on a month-to-month basis for some time. “Everybody’s fighting for the same funds,” he says of the nonprofitoperating game, “and the arts (budget) is the first thing to get slashed.” Once they were forced to stop selling alcohol, Celeiro says that keeping people’s—and even performers'—attention became an impossibility. Celeiro says that a number of his regular performers, from dance troupes to DJs, have stopped signing up to play at the gallery in favor of the crowds they can find already at the bars. “It all comes down to alcohol,” he says, frustrated. Still, Celeiro and Fluxx have promised to honor their responsibilities through the end of June; events like the Queer Prom, the 3rd Annual LGBT Film Festival “Out in the Desert,” as well as their regular Tucson Improv Movement, Boys R Us, and Odyssey Storytelling engagements. Celeiro insists that he’d be happy to keep on doing what he’s doing much longer, too, should a huge chunk of money fall into their lap. But in the meanwhile, he has sold off most of his belongings and is in the beginning stages of moving his loft into boxes, though he was admittedly unwilling—in midMay—to even think about what will happen if Fluxx is forced to vacate its current location. For the time being, it’s business as usual, plus an online campaign and a fundraiser party on Tuesday, June 3, even though the outlook from all objective angles is bleak. Either way, it’s passion we’re talking about, and that is a terrible thing for a community to lose. n For more information on Fluxx, events at the space in the month of June, or its fundraising campaign, visit FluxxProductions.com or call 882-0242. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 11
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Tumamoc's Artistic Inspiration by Dan Rylander
Tumamoc Hill. It broods on our western vista from downtown Tucson, visible to the south and north for miles. Looming like an acropolis over the west central edge of Tucson proper, and marking the eastern outliers of the Tucson Mountains, its 3,108 foot peak and massive width dwarfs, by contrast, Sentinel Peak, aka “A” Mountain, topping out at 2,897 feet. How the 860 acre parcel with the Hill at its center–surrounded by Anklam, Greasewood and Mission Roads–came to be as protected as it was, how it has been so close to the old and new center of Tucson, and yet has remained relatively untouched by time, is a story of the crosscurrents of science and public institutions both past and present. Portions of the preserve contain some of the most studied plant plots in biology and botanical science. But not everything is known or can be experienced through science. A previously missing piece of the Tumamoc Hill story, which is really part of Tucson's story, is intuitive, visual, historical. The artistic story of this piece of Tucson had been lacking in a way that places like San Xavier del Bac, Old Tucson, or the Rodeo Grounds have not. Now, thanks to Tumamoc: People and Habitats, a project of the College of Science, University of Arizona, we have a volume of poetry, paintings, photography and drawings entitled, “This Piece of Earth - Images and Words from Tumamoc Hill” to bring the beauty and history of this certain quintessential piece of greater Tucson to us. Writers from Tucson's poetry group POG and local artists converged on the preserve, interacting with science researchers and historians, learning
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about the “Hill's” long history and Sonoran desert vegetation and animals. In all, thirteen contributors provided ample evidence of the profound impact of a close personal relationship between artist and place. As visual artist and photographer Paul Mirocha puts it in his artist's statement, “limiting the scope of my artwork to one small bounded place, such as Tumamoc, has profoundly changed how I think and work.” Page after page of this beautifully designed art book draws the viewer and reader into and out of both visual and literary interaction with the massif. Stunning black and white photography, found object collages, watercolors, and sketches intermingle powerfully with simple and sublime poetry. One of the more fascinating approaches to artistic interaction with the preserve is the work of Kathleen Koopman. Allowed, as those who regularly walk the Hill are not, to stray off the main asphalt track to the top of the Hill from Anklam Road, Ms. Koopman gathered weathered historical objects, identified as far as they could be and placed them in collage form. These weathered human objects leave a palpable reminder of what was there and is gone, as she states in the book, “I was soon drawn to the physical artifacts strewn across the land... looking at, listening, and arranging these objects offers insight into the layers and depths of the history of this place.” Pleine-air painter Meredith Milstead found painting at the preserve, visually interacting with barrel cacti, ocotillo, and the giant saguaro, to
arts Z be life-changing, and writes, “When I look at a barrel blooming in the morning sunlight, it glows and radiates light and I want to convey that. The more I draw on Tumamoc, the more it comes, all of nature radiating, all integrated, myself included. Watching the changing light and color on Tumamoc helps me to become a better artist and a deeper person, more tender and generous.” In “Wind on the Hill,” poet Valerina Quintana takes the reader to the solitude that the walker can find hiking on the Tumamoc road on a windy day: Here, on this piece of earth known as the Sonoran Desert, Here, on an even smaller patch called Tumamoc Hill, it takes time to quiet myself to see the wind. The wind that is everywhere says to me Come away with me today. I will guide you to the shadow places of saguaros, organ pipe and petroglyphs. Ms. Quintana by email elucidates that “I have always been attracted to the wind no matter the form. What appeals to me most about the wind is its strength and its subtlety. Hearing it weave around creosote, palo verde or even the hefty saguaro; feeling it cool me on a warm sunny afternoon walk
to the top of the Hill; Tumamoc reinforced a sense of place and appreciation of the occupants; native, traders, explorers, researchers, walkers.” Poet and cultural geographer Eric Magrane, currently poet-in-residence at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, writes via email, “Tumamoc is a place that cuts through categories. All the people walking the hill, the research plots, the ecology, the history, the view across the Tucson basin... everything about the place embodies the idea that nature and culture aren't separate. Poetry and art likewise have a way of cutting through categories. I am hopeful that the more we can bring the awareness and insights of science and art together, the better our future can be. And grounding the interactions in place, like at Tumamoc, is crucial.” n On Friday, June 6, the book launch and poetry reading event takes place at Antigone Bookstore, 411 N. 4th Ave. at 7 p.m. All proceeds from book sales, $20 per copy, go to the Tumamoc Fund at the University of Arizona Foundation. For more about Tumamoc Hill and the collaborative ongoing work, artistic, historic and scientific, see Tumamoc.org and TumamocSketchbook.com. A note to walkers - please only walk the hill after 5:30 p.m., and stay on the trail. Photo left: "Looking North from Slope of Tumamoc Hill Towards the Desert Lab and Road with Walkers," by Paul Mirocha. Photo bottom: Rust Monoprint #2 by Kathleen Koopman
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Cruise Tucson's Art Scene by Jon D Auria
Tucson is widely known for having one of the most diverse and impressive communities of artists in the country and to celebrate the local scene and kick off the summer season, Saturday, June 7 marks the return of the Summer Art Cruise. Hosted by the Central Tucson Gallery Association, now on its 14th year, the event will take place Downtown at participating galleries and will display hundreds of beautiful pieces by Tucson's talented artists. “This is a celebration of the diverse culture of Tucson through its contemporary arts,” says Mike Dominguez, co-owner of Davis Dominguez Gallery. “Every type of medium will be represented through the galleries. The traditional mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, watercolors and studio arts with material of fiber, glass, wood and clay will be in abundance and there are always very unique and diverse expressions. This draws a lot of Tucson artists to the Downtown area and the whole art community always makes a strong showing.” The galleries will be open all day for the free event, but the receptions will kick off at 6 p.m. where attendees can interact with the participating artists and gallery owners. 6th Avenue studios include The Drawing Studio and Philabaum Glass Gallery, while 6th Street features Raices Taller Gallery, Conrad Wilde Gallery, Davis Dominguez Gallery, Baker + Hesseldenz Fine Art and Contreras Gallery. Within a short drive is the Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery at Pima Community College West Campus. “Once the reception begins it will start getting dark and the work will be lit at it’s very best. Art never looks better than in a gallery with light concentrated on it,” says Dominguez. “There will be artists mingling with art collectors mingling with the general public, which makes this event unique. It’s great to have the community be able to interact with all of these artists
in one place. We expect to have a lot of families coming and it’s a great way for young people to get exposure to great art. We’ve had some really huge events in the past when the crowd spills into the streets as everyone walks between studios.” Both admission and parking is free and attendees are encouraged to walk or ride their bikes between the galleries to experience each of the vastly different spaces. Many of the participating studios will feature live music, entertainment and refreshments as well as a unique look behind the scenes of Tucson’s art studios during this family-friendly event. For those who wish to beat the crowds and take advantage of a sunny stroll, the galleries will be open during the day for guests to preview the displays. And as always, diversity will be the main theme of this year’s showings, as Tucson boasts a spectacular range of themes in art that celebrate the wonderful community that embodies this town. “We’re showing off the cultural assets that we have here in Tucson. For a town this size, we have a very significant art scene and we are especially strong in contemporary art. We have a core of cooperative and closely-knit artists in town. Tucson has an established identity and we’re not trying to be anything that we’re not,” says Dominguez. “It’s different from a bigger city such as Phoenix because the groups there run in almost the cliquebased social systems. Here in Tucson I’ve found that the gallery owners know each other and help each other out and have lasting friendships. There’s a real sense of community here that translates to the art. And it’s all possible because we get great support from the community.” n For more details, and information on the locations, visit CTGATucson.org. Other queries can be answered by calling 629-9759. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 17
Small works in the Salon Gallery.
“Honey Light” acrylic on canvas by Jim Waid
photos: Peter L Kresan
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“Tulum Boy” oil on board by Moira Geoffrion
Small works in the Salon Gallery.
"Small" Art: Creative & Inspired by Herb Stratford The 22nd Annual Small Things Considered exhibition at Davis Dominguez Gallery is a institution unlike any other. With work by over 80 different Tucson-based artists, the exhibition presents a snapshot of what many of our city’s better-known artists are up to–with a slight twist. Each of the invited participants must provide a work of art that is 12” x 12” for painters or no larger than 18” tall for sculptures. The results of this restriction are both inspired and surprising. With a list of artists that reads like a who’s who of the Tucson art world including names such as Julia and David Andres, James Cook, Bruce McGrew, Gary Benna and Jeff Smith, this show is a great introduction to some of our city’s best and brightest. According to gallery co-owner Mike Dominguez, painters Jim Waid and James Cook have participated in all 22 iterations of the show. Two pleasant surprises to watch for, as noted by Dominguez, were the LED-lit rocket ship sculpture, Ground Control to Major Tom by Bob Hassan, and a painting by Moria Geoffrion entitled Tulum Boy. An interesting twist is this year’s inclusion of kinetic works. Several of the pieces feature either moving lights or moving parts as a key component of the work. Dominguez sees this as a 21st century development and is not sure what’s next. The aforementioned LED rocket, as well as a piece by Mike Fadel, which incorporates Lebanese olive oil and an altered music 18 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
box, is particularly unique this year. While I find myself drawn to works whose style I recognize, I’m also drawn to the works whose creator escapes me without a look at the title card. Work identified by Dominguez and his partner Candace Davis as artists to watch include two abstract painters, Karen DeClouet and Jenny Day, and photographer Claire Harlan whose parents had possibly the first serious contemporary art gallery in Tucson in the 1970s. Given the long history of this show, and the gallery itself, it’s natural to ask what Davis and Dominguez think of the local art world and what they have seen since they started. Dominguez sees Tucson as “still recovering from the financial crisis, especially in the young and emerging collector market,” but as a strong art community overall that has “riches yet to be unveiled.” This annual summer showcase is really a must-see for Tucson art lovers. n The 22nd Annual Small Things Considered show is at the Davis Dominguez Gallery, 154 E. 6th St. The exhibition is open now and on display through June 28, free and open to the public. A reception is scheduled to take place during the annual Summer Art Cruise on Saturday, June 7 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Visit DavisDominguez.com for more details.
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art Galleries/exhibits ART HOUSE CENTRO
A Stroll Through The Barrio continues through June 12. Old Town Artisans Complex, 201 N. Court Ave. 620-1725, OldTownArtisans.com
ARTSEYE GALLERY
6th Annual Curious Camera Event continues through summer. Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm; Sat, 10am-5pm. 3550 E. Grant Rd. 327-7291. ArtsEye.com
CONRAD WILDE GALLERY
High Fiber shows Sat, June 7-Sat, June 28. Reception on June 7 opening night is from 6pm-9pm. Tue-Sat, 11am-5pm. 439 N. 6th Ave. #171. 622-8997, ConradWildeGallery.com
CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Charles Harbutt, Departures and Arrivals continues through June 1. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat & Sun, 1pm4pm. 1030 N. Olive Rd. 621-7968, CreativePhotography.org
CONTRERAS GALLERY
Dogboy Trinity shows Sat, June 7-Sat, June 28 with a reception on June 7 opening night from 6pm-9pm. Tues-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 110 E. 6th St. 398-6557, ContrerasHouseFineArt.com
DAVIS DOMINGUEZ GALLERY
Small Things Considered-22nd Annual Small Works Invitational continues through Sat, June 28. Tue-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 154 E. 6th St. 629-9759, DavisDominguez.com
DEGRAZIA GALLERY IN THE SUN
Free cake and ice cream on Sat, June 14 to celebrate Degrazia’s birthday. The complex is open daily, 10am-4pm. 6300 N. Swan Rd. 299-9191, DeGrazia.org
DESERT ARTISANS GALLERY Dreaming In Color continues through Sun, Aug 10. Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 10am-1:30pm. 6536 E. Tanque Verde Rd. 7224412, DesertArtisansGallery.com
THE DRAWING STUDIO TDS Faculty and Students opens Sat, June 7 with a reception from 6pm-8pm. Tue-Sat, 12pm-4pm. 33 S. 6th Ave. 620-0947, TheDrawingStudio.org
ETHERTON GALLERY Under The Violet Sky by Bill Lesch, Gail Marcus-Orlen and Lynn Taber continues through June 5. Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm. 135 S. 6th Ave. 624-7370, EthertonGallery.com
FOUR CORNERS GALLERY
Luminous: Intimate Images of Desert Flora by Macrophotographer Vicky Stromee opens Tue, June 3. Opening reception Thu, June 19, 5:30-7:30. Tucson Desert Art Museum, 7000 E. Tanque Verde. 202-3888, TucsonDart.com
JOSEPH GROSS GALLERY
The Give and Take: art by Kristin Bauer and Emmett Potter continues through August 29. Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 626-4215, CFA.arizona.edu/galleries
LIONEL ROMBACH GALLERY
Desert Pictures by Rebecca Najdowski continues through Wed, June 4. Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 624-4215, CFA.arizona.edu/galleries
MADARAS GALLERY Art Auction Kick Off at Art Walk takes place Thu, June 5, 5pm-7pm. Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 11am-5pm. 3001 E. Skyline Dr, #101. 623-4000, Madaras.com
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by artists Shannon Russell, Euayne Glinski and Loisanne Keller, continues through Thu, June 5. Sun, 12pm-5pm; Tue & Thu, 2pm-4pm or by appointment. St Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4440 N. Campbell Ave. 299-6421.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART IUD: I’m Not Clean: Lizzi Bougatos, Sadie Laska, and Spencer Sweeney operate as visual artists and musicians. Collectively they are IUD, which encompasses all of their disparate, yet related, output into one art-making and noise-producing entity. $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 See website for informa-
Image courtesy: You and Your Big Ideas Gallery
MURPHEY GALLERY Luminous Watercolors an exhibit of original watercolors
“Southwest Print Collection Show” takes place at You and Your Big Ideas Gallery opening Sat, June 7.
tion. Tue-Sat, 11am-4pm. 711 S. 6th Ave. 884-7404, PhilabaumGlass.com
POP UP ART GALLERY
Photography by Karen Wright shows Sat, June 7 from 4pm-7pm. Man in the Maze, 6965 N. Oracle Rd. ManInTheMazeRoom.com
PORTER HALL GALLERY Art by Regina Lord shows Mon, June 2-Sun, June 29. Opening reception Thu, June 5, 5pm-7pm. Daily, 7am-4:30pm. $8, Adults; $7, student/senior/military; $4, children 4-12; free, children 3 and younger. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
SOUTHERN ARIZONA WATERCOLOR GUILD
WOW: Watch Our Walls (Show #2) shows Tue, June 3-Sun, June 29. Reception Fri, June 6, 5pm-7pm. Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm. Free. SAWG Gallery, 5605 E. River Rd. 299-7294, SouthernAzWatercolorGuild.com
TRUST GALLERY
Unhinged, featuring the art of Archie Sutton, continues through Fri, June 27. Free. Flying Leap Vineyards, St Philip’s Plaza, 4330 N. Cambell Ave. 602-481-8944, TrustArtAndDesign.com
TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART Current exhibits include: Rose Cabat at 100: A Retrospective Exhibition of Ceramics; The Circle Game; Han and Beyond–The Renaissance of China; Trails to Rails: John Mix Stanley and the Pacific Railroad Survey of the 1850s; Miradas: Ancient Roots in Modern and Contemporary Mexican Art Works. 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
WEE GALLERY
See the website for information. 439 N. 6th Ave Suite #171. 360-6024, GalleryWee.com
WILDE MEYER GALLERY Journeys, 2nd Annual 100 for $100 show, and Abstractions all show Thu, June 5-Sat, June 28. Mon-Fri, 10am-5:30pm; Thu, 10am-7pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 12pm-5pm. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 3001 E. Skyline Dr. WildeMeyer.com
WOMANKRAFT ART GALLERY Close Up/Far Away opens Sat, June 7 with a reception from 7pm-10pm. It’s A Matter of Time opens Sat, June 7 with a reception from 7pm-10pm. Wed-Sat, 1pm-5pm. 388 S. Stone Ave. 629-9976, WomanKraft.org
YOU AND YOUR BIG IDEAS GALLERY
Southwest Print Collection Show opens Sat, June 7. Thu- Sat, 3pm-8pm. Print Fair takes place Sat, June 14 from 4pm-9pm. 174 E. Toole Ave. 629-9230,Facebook.com/YouAndYourBigIdeas
"Yellow Flower, Right" by Barbara Brandel shows at Davis Dominguez Gallery through Sat, June 28 as part of the exhibit "Small Things Considered: 22nd Small Works Invitational." June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 21
Photo courtesy of TheCollegiateChristian.com
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Phil Wickham performs at Fox Tucson Theatre on Sat, June 21.
Performances BLACK CHERRY BURLESQUE Tantalizing burlesque performance on Fri, June 6. Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. 882-0009, TucsonBurlesque.com
BROADWAY IN TUCSON The Jersey Boys shows Tue, June 17-Sun, June 22. TCC’s Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. 903-2929, BroadwayInTucson.com
DON’T BLINK BURLESQUE The Tuesday Night Tease takes place every Tuesday night throughout June. 9pm. The Hut, 305 N. 4th Ave. 245-0532, DontBlinkBurlesque.com
FOX THEATRE An Evening with Stephen Stills takes place Tue, June 3. One of These Nights: The Eagles Tributes takes place Sat, June 7. America performs Tue, June 10. Ronnie Milsap performs Fri, June 13. Michael Martin Murphey performs Fri, June 20. Phil Wickham performs Sat, June 21. Prices Vary. 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org
THE GASLIGHT THEATRE Beach Blanket Bee-Bop continues through Sun, June 8. Ghostblasters opens Thu, June 12. 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. 886-9428, TheGaslightTheatre.com
TUCSON DINNER THEATER
Murder at the Vampire’s Wedding, an interactive mystery dinner, takes place every Friday and Saturday night. $42/person. Tucson Dinner Theater, 2445 S. Craycroft Rd. 624-0172, TucsonDinnerTheater.com
TUCSON POPS ORCHESTRA
Jack Neubeck and Crystal Stark perform Sun, June 1. A highlight of the annual performance of the 1812 Overture takes place Sun, June 8. 7pm. DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, 900 S. Randolph Way. 791-4873, TucsonPops.org
LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP Loot continues through Sat, June 7. Dorthy Parker’s Last Call opens June 19. All Together Theatre: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz opens Sun, June 15. See website for prices and times. 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. 3274242, LiveTheatreWorkshop.org
NOT BURNT OUT JUST UNSCREWED
Shows every Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, through June. Unscrewed Theater, 3244 E. Speedway Blvd. 8612986, UnscrewedComedy.com
ODYSSEY STORYTELLING SERIES Behind Bars: Incarcerations of The Body, Mind & Heart shows Thu, June 5. 7:00pm; Free. Fluxx Studios and Gallery, 416 E. 9th St. 730-4112, OdysseyStoryTelling.com
SEA OF GLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS
B-Side Players perform
Mon, June 9. 330 E. 7th St. 398-2542, TheSeaofGlass.org
TUCSON JAZZ SOCIETY Live Webcast from Jazz at Lincoln Center: Modern Ellington 22 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
on Fri, June 6. 5pm. Pima Community College, 1255 N. Stone Ave. 903-1265, TucsonJazz.org
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24 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
photos: courtesy of Maker House
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Maker house courtyard activities, “expect the unexpected.”
Tucson's Creative Oasis by Jon D Auria
Throughout our expanding cityscape, the Old Pueblo is full of hidden gems that make our desert home so unique. Part of the charm of our deeply-rooted and cultured urban scene lies in the fact that no matter what road you turn down, you just might find something special at the end of it. And if you happen to be on Stone Avenue, at Downtown's northern edge, you can encounter one of the most eclectic gems that the town has to offer. Located in the beautiful Bates Mansion is the Maker House—which combines art, innovation, music, crafts, fitness and relaxation all while bringing our community together in a serene, historic setting. Its doors opened in the fall of 2013, a vision of Tony and Vanessa Ford, who decided to open a creative communal space that welcomes anyone who wishes to share it. The large space of the mansion features a slew of rooms and halls and over 100 instructors who offer classes ranging in everything from painting, wine tasting, coffee brewing, yoga, Pilates to laser cutting as part of the worldwide DIY movement of a new generation of “makers.” The artisan space offers activities daily from morning until evening for all to attend or to simply show up to unwind and mingle with the always-welcoming crowd. “Our ultimate goal is to tap into the creative community of Tucson and grow that creative class. There are a lot of people here who are artists, but what’s interesting is that when you take those things to the next level with technology it expands everything they’re doing,” says co-founder Vanessa Ford. “We want to introduce Tucsonans to the fact that they’re totally capable of making things on their own and there’s amazing technology for them to do it with. So we came up with the idea of creating a maker’s space where people could come together to explore different kinds of tool, techniques, activities and mediums.” The Tucson community embraced Maker House as soon as it opened, as a diverse group of crafters, musicians and artists began filing in to utilize the workshops and to connect with one another. One of the most popular areas of Maker House is its 5,000 square foot courtyard where teaching sessions, classes and activities are always taking place. Thursday nights
have become a favorite thanks to the open jam sessions on the courtyard where anyone is welcome to bring an instrument and play along, or just lounge back and enjoy the music. “You always have to expect the unexpected here because you never know what’s going to be going on. Last night we had a fundraiser event, a Phi Beta Kappa meeting, a wine tasting class, a gaming group in the courtyard, and that was just on a Thursday night,” says Ford. “You never know what you’re going to walk into here, but I can guarantee you that it will be interesting and fun and will make you challenge your perceptions to think in ways you haven’t before.” Maker House has also added a café to their layout where delicious coffee, beer, wine and pastry menus are offered. Lattes, cappuccinos, espressos and teas are available to be enjoyed on the premises as well as eight beers on tap and large selection of IPAs, wheat beers, ciders and ales are offered in bottles and cans. An excellent array of wines is also available along with scheduled wine tastings; coffee roasting classes are also available to guests. And Maker House has many halls and rooms that are available to rent for events for anything from fundraisers to conferences to meetings to weddings in the uniquely beautiful space of the mansion. “Luckily, we sort of stumbled into this space. We were in talks with someone else in the area to rent their building, but when we saw that this one and we realized that it embodied everything we were looking for. We want to bring modern technology to this historic part of town. It’s a fantastic old building and it makes for a beautiful contrast of old and new,” says Ford. “We do a little bit of everything here. We have classes, wine tastings, beer tastings, jam sessions, open mic nights, equipment people can use, space to paint, fitness classes and much more. We can do practically anything in this space.” n Maker House is located at 283 N. Stone Ave. For the robust calendar of events, classes, menus and workshops, visit MakerHouse.org. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 25
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"Red Rock Power Station Arizona," Jeff Smith
Contemporary Southwest Art by Jamie Manser
TUCSON WAREHOUSE & TRANSFER STUDIOS studio office available for rent
free wifi • free parking • 24/7 access • fax/printer center unlimited use conference room • creative environment for more info call 520-760-0037
26 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
Schiffer Publishing recently issued a gorgeous compendium of Southwestern artists and their work, covering Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. While the artists included is just over 100—admittedly low for the depth and breadth concentrated in just Tucson alone—the author does say in her introduction that "The Southwest is rich with artists. I could have easily produced a book with 200 artists and still not have exhausted the talent to be found in this region." The artists E. Ashley Rooney chose to showcase are certainly some of the most interesting around. Rooney says via email that her method of selecting creators and their work was by looking "for art that hit me—grabbed my attention. I also looked for different mediums and different styles. I looked at how they used, combined and transformed their materials into art that changed the way we perceived the world. I looked at where they had shown and to whom. I wanted to include not only the artists who are cutting-edge but those who are just coming on the public scene." The artwork is richly diverse and definitely captivating. Styles range from serene landscapes to whimsical sculptures, meticulous gourd work, to surreal folk art, exquisite jewelry, photography, symbols and archetypes, paintings and drawings and so much of everything else in between. What the artists have in common is an eye for beauty—be it conventional, unusual, or absurd; they collectively have appreciation for form, light, color, texture. The book was a collaborative effort between Rooney and the artists. She gave them the space to pick the included pieces, along with a bio. All the artists tell a brief story about their environmental influences, present and past, and what draws them to create what they do where they do. It is nice to get that insight coupled with the imagery. Included Tucson area artists are: Catherine Eyde, Daniel Martin Diaz, Jeff Smith, Elizabeth Frank, Martin and Karen Klay, Joan Marron-LaRue, Neil Myers and Cynthia Reid. Reid explains via email that fellow artist Neil Myers recommended her work to Rooney, and feels that the "book turned out well, and given the range and overall quality of its work, I am gratified by being included in it." Reid's contemporary impressionist style is vibrant with nature's beauty. Of her work, she explains that she loves "Tucson’s wonderful, abundant sunshine and believe it influences my choice of intense, warm colors."
Photographer Jeff Smith, known for his breathtaking lightning photos, says via email that he was included in the book due to a recommendation from Elizabeth Frank. Smith's spread includes five photos, that he culled from shows at "Etherton Gallery and their satellite gallery The Temple Gallery." Of the book, he says, "The first thing I do when looking at a book like this with contemporary artists is to look at all the other artists' work. I was pleased to see that the craft and caliber was complementary to all artists and that all was of a skillful level. Awesome! Then I looked at my two page spread and I thought, 'Wow, what a nice way to lay it out,' and the imagery was accurate to the tonal range of what my prints are! To get this right, takes a lot of effort and I appreciate it! When a book like this is done right and in this case it is, it can be a terrific tool and vehicle for others to access to your work." Folk artist/painter Catherine Eyde was also recommended by Elizabeth Frank. Her spread of six pieces is beautiful, work she says best represented her at the time. "I was happy to see it (the book) done so well, as were other Tucson artists I have spoken to," she writes via email. The book also gives a six-piece spread of Elizabeth Frank's imaginative and whimsical wood sculptures. Frank says she feels honored to be included, though "I don't think of my artwork as Southwestern exactly but I was born here. This region has inspired me since childhood. The work I make is influenced by this area, even the materials I use. Much of the wood I carve is gathered in the mountains of the Southwest." While the book is not comprehensive of all of the talent in region— such a book would be too heavy to lift— it is a great launching pad for exploration. Art shifts our perspective, takes mind out of time, seemingly suspends space-time to the present while gazing on the work, marveling at its creation and inspiration. Art books hopefully lead us to art galleries and making real world connections. And who knows what those can bring. n The hardcover book, 240 pages, includes a resource guide and a guide to the artists; along with a historical forward by Julie Sasse, Tucson Museum of Art's Chief Curator. The publisher says it is available at Antigone Books and at Barnes and Nobles locations. More information is at Schifferbooks.com/contemporary-art-of-the-southwest-5345.html. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 27
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Z arts Emergency Circus, a nonprofit organization, connects patients with performers to heal with laughter and fun.
Laughter As Medicine by Eric Swedlund
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photo courtesy Emergency Circus
Not every circus travels in an ambulance. But the Emergency Circus has a mission to uplift the hurt and healing, with entertainment and fun. “Laughter and joyful feelings have been proved to increase endorphins, which relieves pain,” says Clay "Mazing" Letson, one of the founders and performers for the Emergency Circus. Founded in Tucson, the nonprofit troupe embarked on its first major national tour last month, "Tour to the Rescue," which began in New Orleans. Traveling in its specially retrofitted ambulance, equipped with megaphones, musical instruments and circus props, the Emergency Cir-
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cus rolls into Tucson for hospital visits and a special extravaganza on Saturday, June 14 at Hotel Congress. The event, starting at 7 p.m., will transform the Congress patio into a superhero-themed circus, juggling, music, magic, dancing, high voltage electricity, and a costume contest for best original superhero outfit. Timed to coincide with 2nd Saturdays Downtown, the family-friendly event is a fundraiser for "Tour to the Rescue," with a $5 to $25 suggested donation. “Our shows are very audience participatory and interactive. It’s kind of like a show and kind of like a game. We put them (the audience) into the show,” says Letson. “It’s nice to go into some community, like a homeless shelter or a nursing home where a lot of the time they don’t get the opportunity to interact with one another in a fun, social setting.” While in Tucson, the Emergency Circus will visit Tucson Medical Center’s Pediatric Unit and the Casa de los Niños Children’s Crisis Center. The overall Tour to the Rescue itinerary calls for visits to more than 25 “undercircussed” facilities coast to coast during a five-week, 6,000-mile tour. “For this particular tour we’re touring with four main cast members and in each city, we link up with locals in the area to bring them in to go to hospitals and nursing homes,” says Letson. “It works out really well because a lot of these performers are really excited to be able to go into a place and provide some joy to people who don’t get to see that very often. It’s a treat for the performers and it’s a treat for the patients.” The superhero theme for the event conveys a message about believing in yourself. Audience members are encouraged to dress up as a superhero they invent themselves based on their own superpower. “We’re superheroes, but not the kind you see on movies or TV. We’re the kind of superheroes that dedicated ourselves to a certain super power and through persistence and perseverance we’ve cultivated these skills,” Letson explains. “We try to send the message that anybody can achieve great skills if they put their mind to it, whether it’s juggling or hula-hooping or doing whatever your heart desires.” After the Emergency Circus formed, the group contacted The Gesundheit! Institute—the non-profit organization founded in 1971 by world-renowned humanitarian and activist Patch Adams—and the institute agreed to place the Emergency Circus under its umbrella. In addition to the Emergency Circus, the extravaganza features America’s Got Talent Finalist "Special Head" (the levitating magician), Cirque Roots, Tucson Variety Society, DJ Carl Hanni, Dr. Drea Lusion, The Wonderfools, Circus Amperean’s Towering Tesla Coil and more. Zack Armstrong, host of the Tucson Variety Society and a member of Cirque Roots and The Wonderfools, says there is something inherently nurturing about fun and games. “It’s an aspect of community we as humans long for and often lack,” he says. “The reason we do live shows at all is to create a space to come together as a community, not just performers, but the audience as well. We’re able to share a connection that can be uplifting and healing in a way. That’s part of what the Emergency Circus is and that’s a part of why the Variety Society exists, to encourage people to come together and experience something new.” n Visit EmergencyCircus.com for more details about the organization. The Saturday, June 14 event at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., starts at 7 p.m. and donations between $5-$25 are requested. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 31
SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO
SilverCityTourism.org • 575-538-555
Places of Elevation: 6,000+ feet!
Tucson
A -----
YOU CAN BE HE
Silver City Chicano Music Fest – Enjoy three days of music and a car & bike show at Silver City’s newest event! visit us on Facebook Aug. 29-31
La Santa Cecilia – 2014 Grammy
Award-winning Latin rock urban alternative at WNMU’s Old James Stadium.
Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo – Some of the toughest cowboys & cowgirls compete at a cool 6,000’ elevation.
mimbresarts.org June 20
silvercityprorodeo.com June 4-7
CLAY – Week-long festival celebrating all things clay: gala, workshops, lectures, tours, exhibitions, kids’ events.
Continental Divide Trail – Silver City is the first gateway community to this 3,100-mile-long National Scenic Trail.
clayfestival.com July 30-Aug. 3
silvercitytourism.org
Gila Cliff Dwellings – 3.3 million acres of Gila National Forest & Wilderness... scenic drives, hiking, birding, dark skies.
Funded in part by Silver City Lodger’s Tax
southwestnewmexico.org
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f Interest
ERE FOR LUNCH! - - - - -
B
Silver City
+
Plan to stay.
Rolling Stones Gem & Mineral Show
Independence Day Celebration – Allday event including fireworks & Silver’s largest parade in Historic Downtown.
– A premier gathering of rock hounds, geology enthusiasts and the curious.
rollingstonesgms.blogspot.com Aug. 30-Sept. 1
silvercity.org July 4
10th Annual Gila River Festival – Field trips, kayaking, & workshops celebrating America’s first wilderness river. gilaconservation.org Sept. 18-21
Pickamania! – Bluegrass, Americana, Folk and acoustic sounds at this free music festival in Gough Park. mimbresarts.org Sept. 12-14
Run to Copper Country Car Show –
Cool cars, music, BBQ, raffles, winners’ parade, and family fun in the park.
coppercountrycruizers.com Aug. 22-23
Farmers’ Market – Come buy fresh
and local. Live music, homemade foods and natural products.
silvercityfarmersmarket.blogspot.com
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photo: Steve Renzi
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Dancing Up a Storm by Steve Renzi
Who says history can’t be fun? Or, that a religious celebration has to be pious and dull? History is much more than famous people and great events; it’s also about the songs we sing, the games we play and the way we celebrate our past. History is about connecting with previous generations by showing respect for those who came before us. However, nobody says you can’t have a good time. Case in point is the annual El Dia de San Juan Fiesta, taking place on Tuesday, June 24 on the west side of Downtown. Honoring Saint John the Baptist, the fiesta is an important religious holiday in the Catholic and Southwestern Mexican-American community. The celebration of water comes with hopes and prayers for a vigorous and healthy monsoon season. The fiesta begins at 5 p.m., when the community gathers in the Mission Garden—by the Mercado San Agustin on the corner of West Congress Street and Avenida del Convento—and processes to the lot where the fiesta is held. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join no matter what religion, race, creed or Facebook status. A four-foot statue of John the Baptist is carried in front, followed by priests, mariachis, Native American drummers, chanters, families and individuals. Also carried in the procession is a large olla filled with holy water, blessed by a priest. People are welcome to bring containers to take some of the water with them to bless their homes and family, according to Lillian Lopez-Grant, El Dia de San Juan Fiesta Committee president. It was through her and the committee’s efforts that the fiesta was revived after a long hiatus 17 years ago, in 1997. “It was a piece of the culture that was missing, we wanted to bring it back to what it was,” said Lopez-Grant. According to legend, on June 24, 1540, Spanish conquistador Francisco Vasquez Coronado was kneeling on the banks of the Santa Cruz River praying for rain. It was a bitter drought, and his animals were dying of thirst. He prayed to Saint John the Baptist for rain and shortly after, the rains came. Sitting at a shaded table in the Mercado San Agustin with Lopez-Grant, Sally Polanco, a San Juan Fiesta board committee member for 14 years, describes how San Juan’s day was celebrated in the earlier years of Tucson: “My mother was born in 1910 in Tucson. I have a photograph of her sitting on the bank of the Santa Cruz where the water flowed and big ash
trees grew and provided shade. On Dia de San Juan, families would gather along the river as the early evening approached. Musicians would bring guitars, food would be prepared and shared and an informal Mexican rodeo called charreada would commence. There would be rodeo contests, roping and horse racing. Children would play in the water. Priests would bless and baptize. There was lots of laughter and good times,” said Polanco. Today, the fiesta is trying to bring back some of the old traditions and start a few new ones, according to Lopez-Grant. “It is a religious, cultural and educational celebration, open to everyone. There is no admission charge. Unique to Tucson, compared to other Southwestern celebrations, no alcohol is served. It is a family affair,” she said. “Last year, we had more people than ever before,” added Polanco. “It is the day of water and water is given away for free. Last year we gave away over 125 cases of water.” “There will be informational and educational booths and lots of food. We will have farmers from the Tohono O’odham nation bringing fresh vegetables from their farms. And of course, Lupita Pulido will be back again this year with her ice-cold aquas frescas, fruit drinks, horchata, tamarindo; she makes them on the spot, nothing artificial,” said Lopez-Grant. “We’ll have Sheriff Ya-Ya, who also performs at the Old Souls Procession. We’ll have women mariachi musicians performing named Mariachi Viva La Mujer and we’ll finish this year like last year with Gertie and the T.O. Boyz. Last year the celebration was still going strong at 11 p.m. We had to ask people to leave.” On El Dia de San Juan, the summer solstice is past and the heat is on. Landscapers start work at 5 a.m., un-shaded steering wheels are too hot to handle and even the saguaros need sunglasses. During the day, cottonwhite clouds grow and rise over the mountains. Evening approaches and the clouds float down over the valley with a flash of lightning, followed by the low growl of thunder. Here comes the rain. n El Dia de San Juan Fiesta is Tuesday, June 24 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. next to Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento, on the southeast corner of Congress Street and Avenida del Convento. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 35
photo: Bethany Lusk
Students learn a variety of moves at Zuzi's summer dance camps. 36 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
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Super Hip Summer Camps by Jamie Manser
It’ll be no sweat getting your kids’ minds off the heat if you enroll them in one, or several, of these sizzling summer camps! Pique their interests in arts and theatre, music, science, sports, nature, bicycles, dance and radio from one or more of these 20 organizations. Children look forward to summer all year, so help make theirs memorable and educational with these great offerings. Arizona Onstage Productions hosts the Frozen Summer Camp where children, divided by ages 6-9 and 10-13, will be working with professional actors, singers and choreographers to learn songs, scenes, dances, characters and costumes in order to showcase an original musical production based on the hit animated movie Frozen. The two sessions are June 2-13 and June 16-27, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at 3244 E. Speedway Blvd. Cost is $450/session. Find out more at ArizonaOnstage.org, click on Summer Camp. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, home to 21 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert at 2021 N. Kinney Rd., is an ideal locale for youthful inquiry, learning and growth. Camps include two sessions of the Museum Explorers Camp for grades one to six, where attendees can “observe live animals, conduct science experiments, make cool crafts, create art with the Museum's Art Institute, sample desert foods, hike in the desert and more,” says the website. Dates are July 14-17 and July 21-24, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and costs run $175/session for members, $200/session for non-members. Kids entering grades seven to nine can participate in Earth Camp and learn about the “Sonoran Desert ecosystem and current environmental issues while hiking, camping, doing field research and exploring our beautiful desert.” Sessions are June 9-13 and 16-20 and cost $1000 for nonmembers, $900 for members. Registration details are at DesertMuseum. org/kids/camp_page.php or call 883-1380. Arizona Theatre Company’s Summer on Stage and Summer Backstage are, according to the press release, five-week theatre training programs where “Arizona high school students can experience nearly every aspect of theatre production–from acting, voice, dance and movement to playwriting, theatrical design, directing and sets, lighting, costumes and sound." Classes are at the UofA and Temple of Music and Art. "The programs run concurrently and collaboratively from June 23–July 25, Monday through Friday, culminating in performances during the final week at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave.” Late registration deadline is June 13 at $950/performer for Summer on Stage and $450/student for Summer Backstage. Participation is limited. Find out more by contacting Education Manager April Jackson, 884-8210 x7513, or visit ArizonaTheatre.org. BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage) has Build-a-Bike, fiveday (Tuesday-Saturday) classes scheduled this summer, with four sessions
between June 3 and August 16 at 44 W. 6th St. For $80, students ages 13 and up will be taught "how to properly disassemble, clean and completely rebuild a bicycle. In pairs, students take apart and rebuild a BICAS project bicycle, and will learn to rebuild bearing systems, replace cables and housing for breaks and shifters, install chains and properly adjust derailleurs. Upon completion of this fun course, each student receives a $40 BICAS credit to spend on shop time to fix up their own bicycle," according to an email from Kristin McRay of the BICAS Education department. Register, and find out more, at BICAS.org/classes/build-a-bike or call 628-7950. Also check out BICAS.org/calendar for other classes. El Group Youth Cycling & Pima County DOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Tucson’s Youth Summer Bike Camps provides campers ages 7-13 an opportunity to build “confidence, knowledge and skills in a safe, fun, peer-led environment,” according to the website. Kids are taught riding skills, mechanical knowledge and bike handling, as well as health and wellness, environmental stewardship, air quality issues and recycled art through a series of hands-on experiences. Each week-long session (June 2-6, 9-13 and July 21-25), from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., takes place at 600 N. 9th Ave. and costs $150/child; scholarships available. ElGrupoCycling.org/ programs/youth-summer-bike-camp has all the pertinent information. The Drawing Studio hosts the Art of Summer, at 33 S. 6th Ave., featuring art programs for ages 9-18 that provide “an opportunity for young people to explore the visual world and develop their personality through art.” Sessions start at the beginning of June and run through mid-July, and include a variety of art forms taught in both immersion and blitz classes. Tuition ranges from $100 to $330 per person depending on the course and age group. The “Art of Summer” exhibition, July 19-26, showcases the artwork created by attendees with an opening reception on July 19. Space is limited and programs fill quickly. Find details on specific camp dates, prices and how to register at TheDrawingStudiotds.org/classes/youth-classes or ring 620-0947. Eller College of Management presents DigiDudes and TechDivas, summer technology camps for kids entering fifth through eighth grades that cover animation, web design, social media, programming and “My Dream Business.” It also informs children about internet safety, cryptography and network security as well as honing “skills such as team-building, collaboration, presentation, video development and design.” The five day sessions run weekly through June, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 pm, at McClelland Hall, 1130 E. Helen St. The fee is $325/session. Further information is at UGrad.eller.arizona.edu/camps. KXCI Community Radio, 91.3FM's annual DJ Training Program runs in June, providing budding music aficionados an introductory knowledge of June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 37
Eva Halifax participating in a past "Art of Summer" at The Drawing Studio.
photo: Troy Neiman, BICAS Shop Coordinator
Z summer
BICAS' Build A Bike students and their finished bicycles.
photo: Michael Schwartz
photo: Tanya Rich
Youth exploring the "Texture Tour on 4th Avenue" with Tucson Arts Brigade.
broadcast equipment and rules, music appreciation and selection, creating music sets and public speaking. For ages 9-12, training is June 23-26 from 9 a.m.-noon and their live broadcasts are on Sunday, June 29 from noon-6p.m. It all takes place at 220 S. 4th Ave. Costs run $100-$150. Information is at KXCI.org or contact Amanda at 623-1000 x17, Amanda@ kxci.org. Maker House, 283 N. Stone Ave., is hosting camps that offer hands-on activities which “allow children to explore the things that interest them most; encouraging children to investigate, teaching them to follow lines of questioning that lead to new discoveries, to solve problems and trust in their intellectual ability and creative instincts.” Programs began at the end of May, run through July and feature a range of topics for kids 7-15 that include: creative writing, puppetry, photography, musical instrument design, game design, electronics, robotics and drawing and painting. The five-day sessions are $250 each and run from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Registration and further information is at MakerHouse.org/summer-camps. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is set to take children on imaginative adventures with seven weekly sessions, for children 5-7 and 8-12, between June 9 and August 1. The camps are from 9 a.m.-noon, at 4455 E. Camp Lowell Dr., and themes include: Fairy Mushroom, Mad Laboratory, Fairytale Theatre, Mini Master Chef, Under the Sea, House on Wheels, Castle in the Clouds. Weekly costs are $90, $80 for members; an afternoon club house is available from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. for $20, $15 for members, where kids can make miniature arts and crafts, play games and practice yoga and gymnastics. Details, and registration forms, are available at TheMiniTimeMachine.org/summercamp, 881-0606 x105. Playformance, a youth fitness and athletic development school, has a wide-variety of special guests and activities for youth in grades one to eight during its weekly sessions through August 8. Soccer, swimming, basketball, juggling, drama, gymnastics, martial arts and cooking is just a partial list of what kids can expect to do! The days run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for 38 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
$250/week or $50/day; half days are also available (9 a.m.-noon or noon3 p.m.) for $150/week or $30/day at 119 E. Toole Ave. More information, and registration is available at PlayformanceUSA.com/summer-camp-2014 or call 271-1445. Rocks and Ropes Both locations, Downtown and Foothills, are hosting summer climbing camps for children of all abilities. Rock 1 is geared for 5- to 7-year-olds, Rock 2 is designed for kids 8 to 10, and Rock 3 is for those 11 to 15. Weekly sessions run from June 2 to August 1. Prices and times vary depending on the camp. Visit RocksandRopes.com/KidZ/summercamp.html to find out more for both locations or call 882-5924 for the Downtown space, 330 S. Toole Ave., and 209-2562 for the Foothills, 8975 E. Tanque Verde Rd., site. Tucson Arts Brigade is working to instill social justice in youth through its Arts & Civic Engagement summer program. Taking place on Mondays from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., children 11 to 17 work with “professional artists to design, install and maintain works of art” for “community arts projects like cement benches, mosaics, community builds, murals and eco-art,” says the website. The "pass the hat/by donation" creative collaborations happen at the Brigade’s office at 738 N. 5th Ave. #101. Get more information at TucsonArtsBrigade.org, 623-2119 or email info@TucsonartsBrigade. org. Tucson Botanical Gardens is gearing up for its Power Plants Summer Camps, intended for youth in grades one to six. Sessions are June 9-13 and July 7-11, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. The website explains that the children will “gain a renewed admiration for nature” in the Garden’s tranquil setting. The campers will: “Learn about Sonoran Desert natural and cultural history, water conservation, and plant and insect biology; practice caring for a garden and preparing healthy meals with locally grown foods, express their creativity with nature photography, painting, and journaling; build outdoor recreation skills to become more comfortable spending time outside, and play games and have fun out-
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Museums/Exhibits ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM
Deep Blue continues through Sat, June 14. Regularly: Desert flora and fauna, animal presentations, Raptor Free Flights, more. $19.50 adults; $15.50, youth 13-17; $6, children 4-12. Sun-Fri, 7:30am-5pm; Sat, 7:30am-10pm. 2021 N. Kinney Rd. 883-1380, DesertMuseum.org
MINI-TIME MACHINE MUSEUM Madelyn Cook: A Retrospective continues through Sun, June 1. The Agua Caliente Elementary Littles Home Show continues through Sun, June 1. Tue-Sat, 9am-4pm; Sun, 12pm-4pm. Adults, $9; Seniors or Military,$8; Youth, $6; Children 3 and under, free. 4455 E. Camp Lowell. 8810606, TheMiniTimeMachine.org
TOHONO CHUL PARK
Going With The Flow: An Exhibition of Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild Members continues through Sun, June 8. Daily, 9am-5pm. Adults, $8; Seniors,$6; Military, $5; Children (5-12), $2. 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. 742-6455, TohonoChulPark.org
TUCSON BOTANICAL GARDENS
For The Birds, a bird house display, continues through Mon, June 30. Bite: Carnivorous Plant Exhibit opens in June. Adults, $8; Student/Military, $7; Children 4-12, $4. Daily, 7am-4:30pm (except holidays). 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
UA POETRY CENTER
Hattie Locket, UA Student Contest, and LaVerne Clark Contest Broadside Exhibition continues through Thu, June 5. Mon & Thu; 9am8pm. Tue & Wed; 9am-6pm. Fri; 9am-5pm. Sat; 10am-2pm. Poetry Center, 1508 E. Helen St. 626-3765, PoetryCenter.Arizona.Edu
film Cinema La Placita La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave. Thursdays at 7:30pm, $3 suggested donation. CinemaLaPlacita.com Thu 5: The 39 Steps (1935) Thu 12: Notorious (1946) Thu 19: Rear Window (1954) Thu 26: Dial M for Murder (1954) Sea of Glass- Center for The Arts 330 E. 7th St. 398-2542, SeaOfGlass.org Fri 6: Angel and the Badman Fri 13: Superman Fri 20: Angel On My Shoulder Fri 27: Growing Cities The Loft Cinema 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 795-7777 (show times recording), 322-LOFT. LoftCinema.com Sun 1: Caesar and Cleopatra starring Christopher Plummer
Wed 4: Tiny: A Story about Living Small Fri 6: First Friday Shorts, For No Good Reason, Palo Alto Sun 8: La Cage Aux Folles Wed 18: Godzilla Sun 22: Henry IV part I Wed 25: The Past is a Grotesque Animal
Pima County Public Libraries 594-5500, Library.Pima.Gov Fri 6: The New Black (Joyner-Green Valley) Reid Park Demeester Pavilion 900 S. Randolph Way. SAACA.org. 6pm. Fri 6: Adventures of Tin Tin Fri 20: We Bought A Zoo
Photo courtesy Movies.Yahoo.Com
"Palo Alto" shows at The Loft Cinema on Fri, June 6. 40 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
photo: Tim Fuller
photo: Tim Fuller
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Set design work at a previous Arizona Theatre Company Summer on Stage program.
Swimming is a part of UA Rec Center's “A” Camp. Photo: James S. Wood/courtesy UA Campus Recreation/2012
Rehearsal during a past Arizona Theatre Company Summer on Stage program. Photo: KXCI staff
Jayla Stevenson at KXCI during the 2011 DJ Training Program.
doors.” Price per session is $145/non-members and $120 for members. Call 326-9686 for further information; register online at TucsonBotanical. org/education/plant-power-summer-camps. Tucson Girls Chorus hosts its Oh My Glee! Musical Theatre camps on June 16-20 and June 22-26, which focuses on art, dance, music and theatre for boys and girls, ages 6 to 15. The camps are $230/week, and the days run from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 4020 E. River Rd. Register and find out more at TucsonGirlsChorus.org/oh-my-glee, call 577-6064 or email omg_summer_camp@tucsonsgirlschorus.org. Tucson Museum of Art’s Summer Arts Program is designed to allow children ages 5-13 to express their creativity and produce original works of art with inspiration culled from the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions. The wide-range of weekly classes, which run from June 2 to August 1, include drawing, painting, sculpting, collage and printing on topics such as: clay and folk art, Chinese and Modern, galleries and buildings, elements and earth, wearables and comics, music and animals, nature and drawing, masks and watercolor, plus much more. The weekly fees are $100/student for members, $155/student for non-members and take place at 140 N. Main Ave. Find details and register at TucsonMuseumofArt.org/learn/family-and-youth/summer-arts-program. University of Arizona’s Campus Recreation is in its 19th year of hosting “A” Camp, which offers weekly sessions through August 1 that aim to engage 5- to 11-year-olds in activities that include art, dance, sports, swimming and games along with educational topics, featuring: sustainability, kindness, science and more. Pricing for the day-long sessions ranges from $160-$220 per week, per student. Descriptions and locations are online at Rec.Arizona.edu/activity/camp; email allisonbrown@email.arizona.edu regarding deposits. University of Arizona Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Rd., is hosting Art Sprouts, an art-making and literacy event for families with children ages 2-5, where children can have a unique experience exploring priceless
works of art, reading stories and poetry, listening to music, moving their bodies and creating their own hands-on artworks! The events are on June 18, July 16, and August 13 and each date has two sessions from which to choose: from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Parental attendance and advanced registration is required. Contact Olivia Miller at millero@email.arizona.edu, or call 626-9899. Free with admission costs: $5/general; free for members, ages 18 & under, students, active military, and UA employees with ID. ArtMuseum.arizona.edu YMCA of Southern Arizona is running a bevy of programs at its several city-wide locations. Camps are based on ages and include: kindergarten summer camp, ages 4-5; full-day themed summer camp, ages 5-12; specialty summer camp, ages 4-16; and a Leaders in Training program for ages 13-16. Visit TucsonYMCA.org and click on “summer camp” or check in with your neighborhood YMCA for complete information on times, schedules and costs. Zuzi Dance Company offers two summer camps through June and July. The High Flyin’ Arts Camp, for kids between 7 and 15, has two, 2-week sessions from June 2-13 and July 7-18. The website states that the literature based art camp explores the performing arts of music, aerial dance and creative movement as well as theater, writing, drama, visual arts and costume design. It will culminate in an integrative performance. Cost is $400/student per session. Zuzi’s Move it! Dance Camp is a 1-week intensive dance camp for the serious student, ages 9-15, covering several dance and movement forms for all experience levels. There are two sessions, June 23-27 and July 21-25. Cost is $200 a camper. All sessions are from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at 738 N. 5th Ave. Get more details by calling 6290237 or visiting ZuziMoveIt.org/school/summercamps.html. n
June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 41
june WED 4
TUCSON WALKING TOUR Exploring the His-
events Z
SAT 14 TUCSON GUITAR FESTIVAL
TUE 24 DIA DE SAN JUAN
toric Mansions of Main Avenue. $15. 6pm. Meet at the NW corner of Main Ave and Alameda. 625-8365, KruseArizona.com
More than 30 guitar performances, and Air Guitar Competition, giveaways, mariachi performances, vendors and more. Free. 10am7pm. Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. SAACA.org
THU 5
THU 19
SAT 28
SONORAN DOGS BENEFIT CONCERT
GUIDED HARVESTS AND PLANTINGS
SUNSET SATURDAY Featuring food, drink and
Hosted by Integrative Touch for Kids featuring bluegrass band The Sonoran Dogs. $85. 6:30pm. Hacienda Del Sol, 5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol. 299-1501, IntegrativeTouch.org
Hands on Harvest tour led by Desert Harvesters. $5$10. 5pm, harvest by foot; 6pm, harvest by bicycle. Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. DesertHarvesters.org
live local music. $9 admission. 5pm-8pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
SAT 7 SUMMER ART CRUISE
Central Tucson Gallery Association’s summer of art, with self-guided tours and receptions at galleries in and around downtown. See the website for venues and exhibits. Free. 6pm. CTGATucson.org
WEIRD PLANT SALE Explore a selection of funky plants for sale. 8am-1pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
THU 11 REFUGEE 101 INFORMATION NIGHT Learn about the refugee journey and volunteer opportunities with Iskashitaa Refugee Network. Free. 6pm-8pm. Catalina United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Speedway Blvd. Room E23. Email harvesting@iskashitaa.org to RSVP. 440-0100, HarvestTucson.org
SAT 14 2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN The monthly downtown street festival. Scott Avenue Stage: Vanessa Lundon, Roll Acosta, House Without A Sink. Free. 5pm10:30pm. Along Congress Street, 2ndSaturdays.com
BREW AT THE ZOO: ALES FOR APES Fundraiser for the gibbons’ new habitat. Sample a variety of Craft Beers with live music, food and animal encounters. $20-$65. 6pm-9:30pm. Reid Park Zoo, 1100 S. Randolph Way. 881-4753, ReidParkZoo.org
EMERGENCY CIRCUS BENEFIT
for Tour to the Rescue: which uplifts the hurt and healing with inspiration, education and empathy by performing shows and teaching workshops to the “undercircussed” everywhere. The troupe of Emergency Circus Technicians delivers inspirational circus shows and creative workshops to hospitals, senior centers, homeless shelters and other places where health and happiness struggle. $5-$25 donation. 7pm. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. EmergencyCircus.com
BEAN TREE PROCESSING
Demonstrations taught by Barbara Rose of Bean Tree Farm. 4pm-7pm. Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. DesertHarvesters.org
SAT 21 SPLASH! SUMMER CHARITY BENEFIT A fundraiser for The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance. Featuring live demos from street artists and ice sculptors. See website for prices. 6pm-10pm. La Encantada, Skyline & Campbell. SAACA.org
THIRD SATURDAY ART FAIR
Displays by visiting and Courtyard Artists, music, food and drink. Free. 4pm-8pm. Many Hands Courtyard, 3054 N. 1st Ave. 360-1880, ManyHandsArtistCoop.com
SAGUARO FRUIT HARVEST Gather and prepare saguaro fruits in the traditional O’odham manner and learn about other desert plants that were important food sources for native people. Native food lunch included. $65-$72. 7am-noon. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd. 883-2702, DesertMuseum.org
SAT 21-SUN 22 BOOK SALE A benefit for Tucson libraries. Free. 8am-noon. Friends of the Pima County Public Library, 2230 N. Country Club. 795-3763, PimaFriends.com
SUN 22 PRE-MONSOON MESQUITE MILLING Harvest before the rains! Experience a native wild food demonstration and more. 6am-9am. Exo Roast Co, 403 N. 6th Ave. DesertHarvesters.org
HARVESTER’S BENEFIT NIGHT
Hosted by Tap & Bottle. Taste brews infused with locally sourced native ingredients. A percentage of sales will be donated to Desert Harvesters. Tap & Bottle, 403 N. 6th Ave. DesertHarvesters.org
Experience cultural activities including a procession and blessing of water. Free. 5pm-10pm. Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. 861-4504, VisitTucson.org
Ongoing SUMMER WINE TOUR A 118 day tour of weekly wine tastings and monthly wine dinners beginning Fri, June 6. Maynards Market & Kitchen, 400 N. Toole Ave. 545-0577, MaynardsTucson.com/kitchen/events/
SKYNIGHTS Nightly tours of the universe as part of the stargazing program. 5pm nightly, lasting approximately four-five hours. $60/adult includes a light dinner. Mount Lemmon Sky Center, see website for directions. 626-8122, Skycenter.arizona.edu
PRIMAVERA COOKS!
Support the programs and services of Primavera with a four or five course, wine-paired, gourmet dinner created by some of Tucson’s top chefs. June 1: Downtown Kitchen & Cocktails, 135 S. 6th Ave. June 11: Lodge on the Desert, 306 N. Alvernon Way. June 18: Feast, 3719 E. Speedway Blvd. $125. RSVP to 308-3104 or cooks@primavera.org. Primavera.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
Tuesdays & Thursdays DOG DAYS OF SUMMER Unlimited admission for furry companions at Tucson Botanical Gardens is $20 or $3/visit. 7am-4:30pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
Thursdays CINEMA La PLACITA
Classic flicks screened under the stars. See website for titles. La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave. $3 suggested donation. 7:30pm. CinemaLaPlacita.com
June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 43
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June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 45
photo: Reid Park Zoo
food&drink Z
The "Brew at the Zoo" event will raise funds to move the white-handed gibbons to a new habitat.
Have a “Brew at the Zoo” & Help the Apes, Too by Craig Baker
This ain’t any kind of monkey business, oh no. But come Saturday, June 14 at 6 p.m., the Reid Park Zoo opens to local party animals and other 21-and-over friends for a fundraising gala aimed at helping the zoo’s white-handed gibbons move to a new enclosure. “Brew at the Zoo: Ales for Apes” is the second annual event, partnering the Reid Park Zoological Society (the non-profit entity whose sole mission is to support the city-owned attraction) with Craft Tucson, to raise funds for a site-specific project on the zoo’s 24-acre property. Last year’s sold-out event saw 1200 visitors and served to help welcome grizzly bears Finley and Ronan to Tucson. According to Reid Park Zoological Society’s Events Director Gail Brown, the event raised enough money to pay for the educational components of the grizzly exhibit. This year, Brown says they are expecting a slightly higher turnout for the event at about 1500 participants—with a goal to raise about $25,000—though this is only a portion of what the entire relocation project will cost. The three gibbons currently on display at Reid Park are a single nuclear family made up of a father named Billy, a mother affectionately called Moms, and their 16-year-old daughter, Lilith—a family structure which Zoo Director Jason Jacobs says is closer to that of human beings than any other species. The apes currently occupy a cage-like enclosure near the entrance to the zoo which Jacobs (formerly of the Los Angeles Zoo) says is ready to come down to make way for something more modern and aesthetically pleasing. The plan is to modify the nearby sun bear enclosure with a mesh canopy and move the gibbons in there. Jacobs explains that Dresena, the sun bear who currently lives in the gibbons’ future home, is elderly at 35-years-old and prefers to spend most of her time in the indoor section of her habitat—complete with a swamp cooler and regular visits from peanut-wielding backstage tourists. “She doesn’t go on exhibit unless she chooses to,” says Jacobs, and those times are increasingly far in-between, leaving zoo personnel thinking about retiring her from public viewing altogether. Vivian VanPeenan, the zoo’s educational curator, points out that Billy and Moms are also approaching their golden years; both animals are now well into their forties. Having produced multiple offspring, the pair is now officially out of the national Association of Zoos and Aquariums breeding program, but that does not mean they are any less important to the zoo, its staff, or visitors.
“We like to tell the story (of animals as they age),” says VanPeenan, “we don’t hide it, we don’t put it out of view, but we make it part of our story—how our small community zoo is leading the way in whole-life care for our animals.” She says that it is important for the zoo to serve as an example of “how important it is that when you commit to an animal, whether as a pet or at a zoo, that you are committing to that animal for life.” The gibbons on display at Reid Park, though, in no way show their ages. Trying to distinguish parent from offspring is hard to do without a personal introduction (hint: Moms is the one without the white ring around her face), so it’s no surprise that the only ape species on display at the zoo—with their tendency to swing energetically around their enclosure and propensity for singing in the morning—is a visitor favorite. Jacobs says the gibbons are “the best acrobats in the animal kingdom, bar none. Not to demean them in any way,” he adds, “but they are very entertaining.” Guests interested in helping the gibbons transition to their new homes can buy a ticket to the Brew at the Zoo event online. Attendees can enjoy live music from two bands, eat pub-style food, and sample beers from the 15 unique microbreweries that will be present. Since all of the money raised at the event will go directly into the budget for the gibbon project, VanPeenan points out that “Brew at the Zoo” is a great way for zoo supporters to see their dollars at work on a specific project rather than simply giving to the general fund. Though the event marks only the first step toward reestablishing both the gibbons and the sun bear in their newly modified habitats, Jacobs envisions other modifications to the exhibit down the line including the addition of an overhead walkway to increase the potential for a close-up encounter. He says the new enclosure will mean easier viewing for the public and more opportunity for interaction with the apes without their current susceptibility to dietary infractions. “For better or worse,” says Jacobs, “our gibbons have learned to beg for food." All of these things, according to Jacobs, add up to one thing—happier primates. And that means happier visitors and zoo employees as well—just as long as no one hears you call them monkeys. n Tickets to the June 14 event range in price from $20-$65. The event runs from 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. For more information, including tickets and room discounts at the nearby Double Tree Resort, visit ReidParkZoo.org. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 47
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food&drink Z
Mindful Mixed Drinks by Craig Baker
Lead barkeep Luke Anable has thought carefully about everything on the menu at Sidecar, the newest 900 square-foot concept bar by Tucson restaurateur Ari Shapiro. Working with fellow Wilko mixologist, Starr HerrCardillo, Anable custom-crafted each house recipe and hand-selected every bottle on display behind the bar in the newly renovated space in the Broadway Village shopping complex. As a result, he can tell you the life story of each product from soil to shelf. “All the language is there to meaningfully talk about any product the way people talk about wine,” says Anable of his spirit-selection process. He believes the dialogue that has developed amongst wine connoisseurs— like conversations about where and how something was made—should be employed when talking about beer and liquor as well. “When you add the history layer on top of the cocktails and the culinary layer of mixing flavors, I think that’s a really rich and powerful way to think about what we’re doing here.” Shapiro, who is consistent with Sidecar in his efforts to “bring Tucson artisan concepts that have an emphasis on craft and health,” worked with partners Page Repp and Rick McClain of design firm Repp + McClain to fully remodel the corner space in what has been called one of Arizona’s oldest shopping complexes. The red brick has been whitewashed, giving the inside of the 1939 Josias Joesler building the smell of fresh paint. The concrete floors are newly stained; deep-buttoned, lime-green banquette benches line the walls underneath the large, south-facing windows; a large 3-D piece by artist Nick Georgiou decorates the space between the windows. The tables feature polished wood surfaces. Natural brown leather accents and warm pendulum lights give the otherwise-industrial space all of the charm of a cozy after-work escape. Shapiro lives nearby and commutes to Sidecar by way of a fixed-gear bicycle. According to Shapiro, all of his restaurants—which include popular smoothie stop Xoom Juice, Downtown coffee hub Sparkroot, and the wood-fired pizza joint, Falora (just two doors down from the new bar)— have been built on concepts that addressed the owner’s personal culinary cravings. Sidecar is Shapiro’s neighborhood bar, and it’s a place that he hopes mid-town Tucsonans will also “be able to call their own.”
Though it has all of the makings of a hip Downtown club, Sidecar’s intimate environment can only accommodate about 70 people at maximum capacity, including the tiny outdoor patio—an effect, Shapiro points out, that makes an afternoon at the bar feel “like you could be in your living room.” Sidecar maintains a staff of only four to five, both in the lounge and behind the bar, lending a much tighter-knit vibe between the employees and their patrons, versus the high-octane pace of Downtown on a Friday night. Anable says he “appreciate(s) being able to take a little more time and be a little more patient” with each drink he mixes at Sidecar. The easier pace also means more opportunity to chat with his customers and provide them with a little bit of cocktail education during their experience, he says. The opening week of operation brought with it a steady flow of customers; a promising start to the business’ first summer—a season which, due to the loss of about 50,000 UA students to their various hometowns, can make-or-break a new Tucson restaurant. But Shapiro’s goals for the space stretch far into the future, which is why he went for a “timeless” appeal when contemplating Sidecar’s aesthetic. As for getting the word out, the presence of both Sidecar and Falora in a complex of shops that have traditionally been retail-only has meant plenty of media attention for the new watering hole. Other than that, Shapiro plans to keep his promotional efforts to a minimum, hoping that word-of-mouth alone will allow future patrons to “discover” the space for themselves. Those that wander in even by accident will surely not be disappointed. In sentiments no doubt shared by his employer, Anable says of his position as (perhaps) Tucson’s most mindful cocktail master, “Knowing that everything you push across the bar has a reason for being there—that’s meaningful.” If social drinking can have a greater meaning than an houror-so of revelry, this is where you’ll find it. n Sidecar is located at 139 S. Eastbourne Ave. (off of Broadway Boulevard, just west of Country Club Road), and is open from 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 4 p.m.-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Call 795-1819 for more information.
June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 49
photo by: Cameron & Kelly Photo
Paul Moir
food&drink Z
Table Settings A conversation with Paul Moir. by Kerry Lane
Paul Moir is the owner of Proper, a year-old Downtown restaurant with a strong emphasis on sourcing locally and organically. It is a philosophy he maintains with all of his businesses, including Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar and Criollo Latin Kitchen in Flagstaff. Come fall, his love for meat and sustainability will combine with the opening of Proper Meatery on Congress Street. His strong connection to food and eating has evolved over time, beginning in his mother’s kitchen, and continuing as he cooks for his own family. The beauty of his philosophy is in the breadth of its ambition and in its applicable simplicity.
B Flavor: sweet, sour, salty, bitter or umami?
H What meal do you love to cook for your family? Having kids, you sort of have this set repertoire of food they will eat. The one thing that we tend to make a lot which the kids will eat, which works for my wife and I and her mom who lives with us most of the year, is just a pounded, breaded cutlet of chicken or pork, whatever we have, with a lemon-dressed arugula salad on top. Super simple, super fresh, clean. When I have time, I make all of our own bread, so we use the breadcrumbs from that bread. Its “Daddy’s Famous Chicken Fingers” as far as the girls go, and they’ll dip them in ranch and be perfectly happy. It goes back to that crunchy, salty, that’s my thing, and you get that nice hit of acid on the arugula, and it just works.
I definitely go to the savory side of things: salty, acidic, but balanced.
C Mouth feel: creamy, chewy, crunchy, dense, dry, light, hot, cold? Crunch! I’m an addict for the chip. (laughs) Salty, crunch, yeah.
D Ambiance: indoor or outdoor? I’m much more outdoor, much more outdoor. But if it’s indoor, then open and bright.
E Breakfast, lunch, dinner? Dinner, because it always involves a bottle of wine. Usually one during the cooking process and one after the cooking.
F Appetizer, soup, salad, entrée, dessert, drinks? That’s a tough one. They all have great virtues in and of themselves. It depends on the meal. If there’s a pasta course, the pasta course is usually right up there at the top. But, you know, probably the entrée, the meat side of things. I’m a carnivore through and through. Always have been.
G What meal or food experience changed your approach to cooking and eating? I can remember eating raw ground beef that my mom would throw to us like Scooby snacks as a kid. She would be making burgers and she would pinch some off and put a little salt on it and feed us. I grew up with a mom who was a tremendous cook and I would hang out in the kitchen and eat while she did it. I went through, you know, the early adulthood of fast food and all that kind of stuff. I think when I finally started to educate myself more about it, and ended up going to culinary school because it was something I’d wanted to do, was when we sort of turned the corner towards this local food base, sustainable food base diet and business. I can’t say there was one transformative time, it was more of an evolution. But the education was a huge part of it. Once you start to open your eyes to what is really going on in our food system, it gets a little bit scary.
So, no recipe? There really isn’t one. Most of the stuff I cook at home, it’s not recipe based. I worked for a chef in Denver when I got out of school and he’d tell me to make something and I’d be like, well, is there a recipe? And he’d be like, no, just make it taste good. It’s the simple procedure of pounding out whatever protein you have and doing the flour, egg wash, breadcrumbs, and fry them in olive oil. We keep rendered pork lard in the house, too, which to me is the best thing in the world to fry anything in. And then, yeah, take some fresh arugula and toss it with a little lemon and a little salt. It’s simple. Kerry’s Vegetable Conversion:
To enjoy this at home, with a vegetable-based twist - Any variety of vegetables (rutabaga, carrot, parsnip, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers), sliced ¼ to ½ inch thick - 1/2 cup flour - 1 egg, or egg replacement, beaten with 1 tablespoon water - 1 cup breadcrumbs or cornmeal, seasoned to taste - Oil for frying Dry the sliced vegetables with a towel or paper towel. Coat them in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip them in the egg wash, coating all sides. Dredge with breadcrumbs or cornmeal until evenly covered. Heat ½ inch of oil in a pan over medium heat for 5 minutes. Working in stages, place vegetables in pan without over crowding them. Fry for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway to evenly cook both sides. Remove and let vegetables cool on a paper towel or cooling rack. Enjoy! n
June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 51
52 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
photo: Steve Bower
garden Z
Hornworm
Coping with Summer Pests by Brandon Merchant There is nothing more reminiscent of summer in Southern Arizona than the sound of cicadas buzzing away in the heated stillness. This pleasant humming provides the soundtrack for summers in our region and for those of us who have lived here our entire lives, their return is often a cause for celebration. For vegetable gardeners, the return of the locust is often a bittersweet moment because with it marks the return of a wide variety of insect pests that like to make our summer vegetable gardens home. Considering that Arizona is home to over 13,000 unique insect species, with many more yet to be discovered, it should come as good news that only a small fraction of these can cause harm to plants in the vegetable garden. Of the three dozen or so that can become a nuisance, only a small percentage require diligence on the part of the gardener to keep them under control. Fortunately, a lot of research has gone into developing control methods for the most destructive backyard garden pests. Many gardeners shiver at the first appearance of an unknown insect in the garden. Perhaps it's an innate fear of insects they developed as a child, or perhaps it is effective marketing on the part of poison pushers like pest control companies and pesticide manufacturers. Regardless of the reasoning, the fear is most often a result of a misunderstanding and not grounded in reality. In reality, most insects are harmless and it takes an awful lot of neglect on the part of the gardener to let the damage caused by insects to reach a point that can actually harm garden plants. Another reality often overlooked or ignored by gardeners is the fact that the presence of insects, even pest insects, does not necessarily indicate a problem and in fact some of the "damage" caused by these insects can actually be quite beneficial to the plants which are afflicted. Tomato hornworms, for example, perform a great pruning service if not left to take over and can actually encourage new growth of tomato plants. Although they may not do the job exactly as a trained professional would, you can rest assured knowing that your plants will be much better off than the plants down the street that were treated with a toxic pesticide. The most common response from gardeners when faced with the hornworm or any other leaf chewing caterpillar is to first freak out, and then second to reach for the closest pesticide to deal with the "problem." Once this cycle is started it is very difficult to get out of. After the adult caterpillars are eliminated, any predatory wasps that may depend on them for breeding will also end up leaving, which in turn can result in the appearance of an even greater number caterpillars in the future. As the cycle progresses, more applications of pesticides are required and the problem is exacerbated.
It may not seem beneficial at first, but there are many positive aspects to the presence of a few pest insects in the garden. As soon as pest insects begin to arrive, it also signals the return of their natural predators. When drastic measures are taken to eliminate the pests, we often unknowingly also eliminate the many predators which naturally keep those pests at bay. These can be insect predators such as the ubiquitous green lacewing or even larger predators such as birds. More often than not, gardeners are too quick to resort tactics that will alter or even eliminate the delicate ecosystem needed to grow a healthy garden. So what is a gardener to do? No one, including myself, wants to give their garden over to bugs when so much time, work and money have gone into producing a crop. The trick is to approach the situation with a good attitude and to take the least invasive steps possible to eliminate the problem. Although not an instant fix, when basic initial steps are taken we can begin to create a garden environment that is both inhospitable to pest insects and attractive to beneficials. The first step is to provide your plants with a proper growing environment that meets or exceeds their nutritional requirements. Sickly, malnourished, or drought stricken plants actually attract pest insects while healthy plants actually repel them. Well cared for plants will also bounce back quicker from an attack than those that may be lacking in nutrients. Infestations will rarely occur in a healthy garden. Further steps can be taken to reduce the chance of a pest outbreak. Timing your plantings so that your crops will be well established by the time pests arrive is very effective. A sprawling squash plant will send out roots all along the vine so that if a vine borer severs the main stem the plant will still survive. Furthermore, by planting cultivars that are already resistant to the most common pests in our region, we can almost eliminate the chance of attack all together. A good example would be butternut and acorn squash, which both are resistant to squash vine borer attack. Further control can be achieved when organic gardening methods are incorporated into your garden plan. The most successful techniques include interplanting of pest repellant plants amongst the garden or even dedicating a small area of the garden to plants that will provide a habitat for beneficial insects. These methods take time to work and are not instantaneous, but when combined with due diligence on the part of gardener, then the likelihood of your garden being invaded will be greatly reduced. While not as satisfying as emptying a can of Raid, in the long run you and your garden will be much healthier. n June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 53
escape Z
Winslow, Arizona
photo: Niccole Radhe
by Niccole Radhe
The Eagles’ famous 1972 debut single Take It Easy helped put Winslow, Arizona on the map. Whether or not you have been to this quaint little town, those lyrics probably become alive in your mind when Winslow is mentioned: “Well, I'm a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see.” The song wasn’t really centered around Winslow, it was all about love, and love is exactly what you will feel when your toes touch Clear Creek's cool water; an oasis just five miles from Winslow. Here you can escape from the Tucson heat and take a dive into a deep, refreshing river. Whether you like to kayak, canoe, rock climb, cliff dive, paddle board, swim or just relax on the rocks, this is a place that should be on your summer bucket list! Clear Creek Canyon is surprisingly not overwhelmed by tourists and there are no buildings or businesses for miles, just a serene creek in Northern Arizona. A great place to start your adventure after a four and a half-hour drive is at McHood Park, where the slow river ends in a large and calm reservoir. This is one of the best places to relax in Arizona. Here you can have a barbeque or picnic under a covered ramada, fish off the shore or head out on a four-wheel adventure through the seemingly deserted dirt roads and take a hike to peer down into the dramatic depths of the rocky canyon. Camping is free at McHood Park and Winslow is only five miles away for lodging. One day is not enough to discover all that this area has to offer so make a weekend out of it. Within a one-hour drive is the world famous Meteor Crater, the Petrified Forest, Little Painted Desert and Jack’s Canyon. If you are in need of rental gear for Clear Creek or rock climbing it would be a good idea to rent in Phoenix or Flagstaff before heading up. Winslow is not the bustling railroad central of Arizona that it once was, but the history is rich and the future seems even richer.
Clear Creek
There is a Renaissance happening under the quietness of Winslow as the restored 1930s La Posada Hotel, with the help of the Winslow Arts Trust, is rising as a Northern Arizona art tourist destination. The town of Winslow itself is not a nightlife mecca, so if you are a fun-seeking night owl you should head back to Flagstaff where there is always something exciting going on at night. Flagstaff also has many awesome outdoor attractions if you want to continue your adventure in the Coconino National Forest. Northern Arizona has a lot to offer, it’s not too far from home, and the weather is amazing during June, July and August. Get out and have a great time with family and friends at Clear Creek Canyon this summer!
Making Your Escape From Tucson, take I-10 west to Phoenix then go north on AZ-87 N, follow through Payson and when you get to the traffic circle (about 189 miles) continue straight on AZ-87 N, and after another 90 miles you arrive in Winslow. To get to McHood Park turn right onto AZ-99 N and you will see McHood park on your left. You can turn before or after the bridge to get to the reservoir, fishing and picnicking areas. This area has restrooms and is great for swimming, jumping off the rocks or putting water craft into the river. For those who are interested in hiking around the canyons, off-roading, four wheeling and rock climbing, take the first dirt road om your right after the bridge, but be sure to take the first dirt road to your right before the McHood Bridge if you do not have 4-wheel drive. From here, Flagstaff and other really great attractions are only an hour away. Happy trails! n Check out WinslowArizona.org/visiting-winslow for information on the town and other area attractions. June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 55
Z tunes
Tucson Guitar Festival by Eric Swedlund
Classical, blues, rock, country, Celtic, Hawaiian, jazz, flamenco and even air. Yes, the guitar is indeed the versatile backbone of much of the music that touches our lives and captures our imaginations. The second annual Park Place Guitar Festival on Saturday, June 14– with a kick off-event Friday, June 13–celebrates those styles and more, featuring over 30 performances on several stages, clinics, a host of exhibitors and an air guitar competition. The Guitar Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the mall, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd. The event, organized by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, was designed as a free mid-summer, family-friendly, fully air-conditioned event with wide appeal, says Jonas Hunter, the group’s Special Events Director. “We’re an organization that caters to the arts in any form and we’re always looking at new creative ideas,” he says. “We’re so heavily involved in music and concert series, we thought, 'why not do an event centered around what’s arguably the most popular instrument in America?'” The mall reached out to SAACA for a promotion during the slow season before back-to-school shopping and last year’s success was enough to make it an annual event, Hunter says. “We heard from them it was one of the busiest single days they’ve ever had,” he says. “As the event grows we’re hopefully able to get more budget for it. My ultimate goal is to turn it into something bigger as we progress forward. The hardest part is getting any national artists to come in with the budget we have. Keeping it local is a good thing at this point.” The local talent includes Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo Magnet High School, the Greg Morton Band, bluesmen Bryan Dean and Jeff Engelbert, Pascua Yaqui virtuoso Gabriel Ayala and headliner Brian Lopez. “For me it’s been a culmination of the touring I’ve been doing over the past year, which was solo acoustic,” Lopez says. “These concerts are becoming more and more fun for me because I can showcase more of my classical training.” In his own career, Lopez says he’s felt the push and pull of several different genres, adopting them into his own style along the way. Gathering accomplished musicians from a wide spectrum of styles is a good display of Tucson’s musical strengths. “Tucson is a very diverse musical culture. There are so many different types of music here. When you cross into genres like Celtic and bluegrass there are just amazing players in all the styles,” Lopez says. Ayala, who’s toured all over the world in his 25 years as a professional guitarist, says the festival is a good reminder for people in Tucson how much talent is right here. “A lot of times think they have to go somewhere else for live entertainment or wait until a traveling artist comes to town,” Ayala says. “Tucson has never really had something of this magnitude.” Though he’s known for his signature blend of flamenco and jazz, Ayala says his listening habits aren’t confined to any one genre. “I’m a fan of sounds, period. If people looked at my phone and saw my play list, they’d be shocked by the diverse genres I have. I listen to a lot of everything. To be a well-rounded musician you need to know what your peers are doing around you,” he says. “I’ll definitely make sure to get there a good three hours early and show my support and listen to others.” For the non-musicians, the air guitar competition offers a chance to 56 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
photo: Jimi Giannatti
tunes Z
Brian Lopez headlines the Tucson Guitar Festival on June 14.
shine. Entry is free and competitors are split into two age groups, under 18 and 18-and-over. In the first round, each contestant performs a selfchosen song. In round two, the top competitors in each age bracket will perform a to a surprise compulsory song. Each performance is one minute of a song and is judged on a combination of technical merit, stage presence and “airness.” The grand prize is $150, second place is $75 and third place is a gift certificate. “We wanted to focus on everything we could,” Hunter says. “We brainstormed all the different styles that are out there. Nobody before him did what Eddie Van Halen did and nobody did what Jimi Hendrix did before him and Les Paul before him. The guitar is constantly evolving and we want to highlight that.” n Visit SAACA.org/GuitarFestival.php for more information and to register for the air guitar competition.
Schedule Food Court Main Stage 10 a.m.: Michael Nordberg (rockabilly/surf) 11 a.m.: Steve Harris (bass) Noon: Jeff Engelbert and Clark Engelbert (blues) 1 p.m.: Billy Cioffi (classic rock ) 2 p.m.-4 p.m.: Air Guitar Competition 4 p.m.: John Bujak (rock) 5 p.m.: Gabriel Ayala (flamenco/jazz) 6 p.m.: Brian Lopez (flamenco/rock)
Sears Stage (acoustic)
photo courtesy Gabriel Ayala
10 a.m.: Remi Good (classic guitar) 11 a.m.: Grace Shepard (classical guitar) Noon: Jonathan W. Martinez 1 p.m.: Kathy Acosta Zacala (classical guitar) 2 p.m.: Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo Magnet High School 3 p.m.: Tucson Ukulele Meetup Club 4 p.m.: Christopher Krantz (looping) 5 p.m.: Jamie O'Brien (Celtic/Hawaiian)
Macy's Stage 10 a.m.: Pete Biedermann (acoustic finger style) 11 a.m.: Charles Lolmaugh (country) Noon: Greg Morton Band (bluegrass) 1 p.m.: Dan Griffin (jazz) 2 p.m.: Paul Almquist (rock) 3 p.m.: David Rose (acoustic) 4 p.m.: Bryan Dean and Koko (blues/jazz) 5 p.m.: Ed Delucia (rock/blues/jazz) 6 p.m.: Matt Mitchell (jazz) Gabriel Ayala performs at the Tucson Guitar Festival on June 14.
June 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 57
photo: Jimi Giannatti
Z tunes
Sorry About the Garden performs at Flycatcher on Saturday, June 21.
Sorry About the Garden's Dynamic Command by Eric Swedlund For the members of Sorry About the Garden, songwriting isn’t a quiet pursuit, but one they approach with the edgy excitability of adrenaline junkies. Creating and playing music fulfills an essential need, says Sara Louise Mohr, the band’s vocalist and piano/keyboard player. Formed last fall, the group combines a wide range of experience and styles. Mohr is a classically trained pianist, drummer Kevin William Lee’s band history is heavy on garage and punk bands, and bassist Ian Williams has played in projects across the musical spectrum. “We’re three musicians who very much lean on each other when we write music and when we perform. We don’t overthink things and that works really well for us,” Mohr explains. “We just groove and let things occur and a new animal emerges every time.” The band started after Mohr had been playing solo for a while and wanted to start a new project. Her last rock band was Strata Divide, while Lee (also a stand-up comic) previously played with Four Five Six, The Swim and Birds of India, and Williams was in The Runaway Five and Excowboy. “We play what we know, but nothing’s simple. We’re serious and individually we’re all hard-working musicians, and that works great together,” Mohr says. Mohr's biggest influence “rock star wise” is Tori Amos, but the trio's overall sound leans toward piano-driven 1970s psych-rock. “A lot of people, before they hear us, assume that it’s going to be cute girlie music. It’s not like that at all," she says. "It’s pretty heavy, commanding stuff.” The band tends to long songs—often five to six minutes in length—that avoid the common verse-chorus-verse structure, built to take listeners on a journey, with a variety of bridges, different parts and fills, with quick turns and shifts in tempo, tone, volume and intensity. “There are a lot of dynamics in our music. It pulls you in, it sends you out. We’re human, we’re emotional beings, and instead of getting stuck in a riff, our music swells and recedes,” Mohr says. 58 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014
Lee says he’s challenged to open different doors in his playing with Sorry About the Garden, avoiding simple 4/4 rock structure. “We work with mood and melody, writing based on how we feel. We start with simple riffs and hone in,” he explains. “We’re different than anything else that’s going on.” Williams, who joined the band after one day just happening to ask Mohr and Lee if they were looking for a bass player, says their goal in writing is to let the songs take their own directions. “We don’t have an idea about a song before we start. And then as we write, we’ll frequently bring several different sketches together to finish a song,” he conveys. “We’re doing such weird stuff that not everyone will love it, and that’s OK. The bottom line is we really enjoy the stuff we’re making and we love playing it live." The music happens before the lyrics and sometimes they stay as instrumentals. When Mohr writes lyrics, she finds herself dealing with big topics and recurring themes, like struggling with personal beliefs. This summer, the band is recording a three-song demo and filming a video for “Blur in My Eyes,” with plans to offer the music freely online. They’re working toward a full-length album by the end of the year. Since playing their first show in December, Sorry About the Garden has been evolving as Mohr, Lee and Williams gain more experience playing together. “In a lot of ways, we’re still defining what we sound like, but the stuff we’re writing now has this cohesiveness to it. We’re getting a little darker and a little weirder,” Williams says. n Sorry About the Garden performs Saturday, June 21 at Flycatcher, 340 E. 6th St., with Banana Gun and Joe Peña. Find out more, and follow the band, at Facebook.com/sorryaboutthegarden.
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Photo courtesy of MusicOnFire.com
Z tunes
Uh Huh Her perform at Hotel Congress on Thu, June 5.
Lady Antebellum performs at Ava Ampihteater at Casino Del Sol on Tue, June 17.
LIVE MUSIC Shows listed were available as of press time. See the web sites for current info.
2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN Congress Street, 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com Sat 14: Vanessa Lundon, Roll Acosta, House Without A Sink
ARMITAGE WINE LOUNGE 2905 E. Skyline Dr #168. 6829740, ArmitageWine.com Sun 1: Steff Koeppen Tue 3: Tommy Tucker Sun 8: The Hot Club of Tucson Tue 10: Ashbury Sun 15: R & P Music Factory Tue 17: Bryan Dean Trio Sun 22: Jillian Besset Tue 24: Naim Amor Sun 29: Cameron & Carlie
AVA AMPHITHEATER 5655 W. Valencia Rd. CasinoDelSol.com Fri 6: Whitney Houston Tribute Fri 13: Gavin Degraw & Matt Nathanson Tue 17: Lady Antebellum Fri 20: Los Tucanes de Tijuana Sun 29: Gran Festival De Folklore Mexicano y Mariachi
BOONDOCKS LOUNGE
CAFE PASSE
3306 N. 1st Ave. 690-0991, BoondocksLounge.com Sundays/Tuesdays: Lonny’s Lucky Poker Mondays: The Bryan Dean Trio Wednesdays: Titan Valley Warheads Thursdays: Black Skillet Revue Fri 6: Angel Diamon and the Blue Disciples Sat 7: Equinox Sun 8: Kathy & The Groovetones Sun 15: Last Call Girls Fri 20: Jacques Taylor & Real Deal Sat 21: Heather Hardy and the Lil’ Mama Band Sun 22: Ned Sutton & Last Dance Sat 28: Johnny Ain’t Right
415 N. 4th Ave. 624-4411, CafePasse.com See website for details
BORDERLANDS BREWING 119 E. Toole Ave. 261-8773, BorderlandsBrewing.com Thu 5: Peter Biedermann Fri 6: Chris Andrews Sat 7: Aztral Folk duo Thu 12: Two-Door Hatchback Fri 13: Bob Einweck Sat 14: Tortolita Gutpluckers Thu 19: Hank Topless Fri 20: Southbound Pilot Sat 21: Tommy Tucker Thu 26: Widow’s Hill Fri 27: The Determined Luddites Sat 28: Shrimp Chaperone
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CLUB CONGRESS
CUSHING STREET BAR & RESTAURANT 198 W. Cushing St. 622-7984, CushingStreet.com Saturdays: Jazz
311 E. Congress St. 622-8848, HotelCongress.com/club Sundays: Ynot Karaoke Mondays: 90s House Party (dance) Tuesdays: Geeks Who Drink Quiz Thursdays: Opti Club Saturdays: Saturdaze Dance Party Wed 4: Ramblin’ Jack Elliot Thu 5: Uh Huh Her Sun 8: Painted Palms Tue 10: The Mowgli’s Sun 15: Dizzy Wright Tue 17: Electric Six Wed 18: Human Behavior Tour Kick Off
DELECTABLES RESTAURANT & CATERING
LA COCINA
HACIENDA DEL SOL
201 N. Court Ave. 622-0351, LaCocinaTucson.com Saturdays: DJ Herm, Harpist Wednesdays: Miss Lana Rebel and Kevin Michael Mayfield Thursdays: Stefan George Fridays: The Greg Morton Band Wednesdays, except Wed 2: Miss Lana Rebel and Kevin Michael Mayfield Sun 8 & 22: Mik and the Funky Brunch
533 N. 4th Ave. 884-9289, Delectables.com Fridays & Saturdays: Live music
FOX TUCSON THEATRE 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org Thu 3: An Evening with Stephen Stills Sat 7: One of These Nights: The Eagles Tributes Tue 10: America Fri 13: Ronnie Milsap Fri 20: Michael Martin Murphey Sat 21: Phil Wickham 5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol. 2991501, HaciendaDelSol.com Sun 1: Zo & The Soul Breakers Sun 8: Grams & Krieger Sun 15: Bryan Dean Trio Sun 22: Stefan George with Tom Walbank and Jay Trapp Sun 29: The Incarnations, featuring Michael P, Laeey Lee Lerma & Ralph Gilmore
tunes Z Photo courtesy of RialtoTheatre.com
Yuna performs at Rialto Theatre on Sat, June 25.
MAIN GATE CONCERT SERIES 814 E. University Blvd, SAACA.org Fri 13: Butch Diggs Fri 27: Jazz Telephone
MONTEREY COURT 505 W. Miracle Mile, MontereyCourtAZ.com Thu 5: The River Monks
PLAYGROUND TUCSON 278 E. Congress. 396-3691, PlaygroundTucson.com See website for details
RIALTO THEATRE 318 E. Congress St. 740-1000, RialtoTheatre.com Wed 4: Neon Trees Sat 7: Mix Madness w/Enferno Sun 8: Tech N9Ne Sun 8: Casey Donahew Band Fri 13: Les Claypool’s Duo De Twang Sat 14: Pro/Phen Fest: Evasion, Look To The Sky, Stands With Fists & More Wed 18: La Santa Cecilia Thu 19: Cultura Profetica Sat 25: Yuna Fri 27: Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta Sat 28: Malignus Youth - A Benefit for Solar Culture
SKYBAR 536 N. 4th Ave. 622-4300, SkyBarTucson.com See website for details
SOLAR CULTURE 31 E. Toole Ave. 884-0874, SolarCulture.org Sat 7: Temple Rites
SURLY WENCH PUB 424 N. 4th Ave., 882-0009, SurlyWenchPub.com Fri 6: Black Cherry Burlesque Sat 7: Border Barons, Musk Hog Sat 14: Fineline Revisited Fri 20: The Manly Manlesque Sat 21: Club Sanctuary Fri 27: Deschtuco, The Old Refrain Sat 28: Fineline Revisited
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Z lifeintucson
by Andrew Brown / @aemerybrown
Left to right top to bottom: Tucson pedestrian; Tom Willett, Sharon O’Brien and Lenny Mental at Wee Gallery; Young Couple; Dave Mertz and Alexandra Roush; Tucson pedestrian; Barber at Downtown Swank Parlor; Tucson pedestrian.
62 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | June 2014