index November 2013 05. Film 10. Arts 27. Community 31. Events 35. Business 36. Food & Drink 50. Tunes 55. Life In Tucson on the cover:
Cover Illustration © 2013 Catherine Eyde / “Girl and Skull” - colored pencil, paint and ink drawing. Inspired by the All Souls Procession - Tucson’s community parade celebrating life, death and remembrance. Artist Catherine Eyde is participating in the Fall Open Studio Tour, Nov. 9-10. More Open Studio Tour information on page 13.
Zócalo Magazine is a hyper-local independent media organization, focusing on Tucson’s arts and culture.
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Olsen EDITOR Jamie Manser CONTRIBUTORS Marisa Bernal, Andrew Brown, Jon D’Auria, Alec Laughlin, Jamie Manser, Brandon Merchant, Phoenix Michael, Jade Nunes, Miguel Ortega, Dan Rylander, CJ Shane, Herb Stratford, Monica Surfaro Spigelman. LISTINGS Marisa Bernal, listings@zocalotucson.com PRODUCTION ARTISTS Troy Martin, David Olsen
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Z from the editor
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The 1999 Kevin Spacey flick American Beauty was on the tube recently, a mind-blowing film that rips your heart right out with its timelessly prevalent themes. What struck my core was that scene where Ricky Fitts is showing Jane Burnham his video of the plastic bag swirling in the breeze; it reminds me so much of recent circumstances. He says, “It was one of those days when it’s a minute away from snowing, and there’s this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was just, dancing with me, like a little kid begging me to play with it - for fifteen minutes. And that’s the day I realized that there was this entire life behind things, and this incredibly benevolent force that wanted me to know that there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember - I need to remember. Sometimes, there’s so much beauty in the world - I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart is just going to cave in.” And you know what he is saying, because it is overwhelming at times, the beauty and the pain. The entire life behind things that we don’t see, but need to have some modicum of faith, whatever that means, that it is going to be okay until it isn’t. And then that’s death. In the meantime, we are still here to live and love. And in Tucson, there are so many ways to do that. As we enter the holiday season, it is timely to remember we don’t take the material gifts with us when we go. “Last night the wife said, ‘Oh boy when you’re dead, you don’t take nothing with you but your soul,’” as John Lennon sang. If there is a soul, let it be filled with love. As Phoenix Michael scribes in his Holiday Help article, “Our society is made up of many contributors, all dependent on others. We should strive to give back just a little bit more than we take out.” – Jamie Manser
photo courtesy The Loft Cinema
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photo courtesy The Loft Cinema
"Mr. Nobody," starring Jared Leto and Sarah Polley, shows during The Loft's fim festival.
“Narco Cultura” screens during The Loft’s film festival.
A Fall Cinematic Classic by Herb Stratford
A curious and diverse mix of films - including acclaimed titles from around the festival circuit, as well as a few undiscovered gems - plays out on The Loft Cinema's screens Nov. 7-11 as part of the theatre's forth annual film festival. As in past years, the mix of film speaks to social justice, master storytelling and compelling imagery from both established cinematic voices, as well as a new generation of filmmakers. With a great line up of films over four days, there are many that are well worth the trip, and you may even find yourself having to make some hard choices on what to see. Strong documentary features, covering a variety of topics, are a major part of the festival this year. Narco Cultura is a breathtaking examination of the dual nature of the drug trade on contemporary Mexican life. The film examines the fascination of the drug world’s signature lifestyle, as glorified by narco corridos, and the terrifying work done by crime scene investigators in Juarez, as they try to keep up with rising tide of collateral victims. Shot beautifully, and full of jaw dropping facts, this is one film not to miss. On a different note, the sweet and charming film Dear Mr. Watterson traces the history of one of the world’s favorite comic strips—Calvin and Hobbs. The film examines the impact of the strip, which ran for ten years from 1985–1995, on the public and other comic artists. It also examines the legacy of one unique artist who both refused to compromise on his vision, and in the process left a rich legacy unmatched by any other in the field. Also in the documentary field is the sobering piece by Peter Nicks, The Waiting Room, which looks at an emergency room in Oakland, CA from multiple perspectives and paints a dire picture of modern health care as has never before been seen on screen. Narrative features from around the world of note include the compelling film A Teacher, about a relationship between a high school teacher
and her student; Il Fururo, about an unlikely romance between an aging film star and a would-be burglar in Italy, and the new film from director John Sayles, Go For Sisters, in which a pair of estranged friends unite to try to find one of their sons, who has gone missing in Mexico. The film Mr. Nobody, originally completed in 2009, is finally seeing the light of day. It stars Jared Leto as the oldest human on earth as he looks back on the choices in his life, intermixed with multiple strands of reality. The film is an interesting mash up of sci-fi and drama. A Case of You is a romantic comedy with a killer cast including Evan Rachel Wood and Justin Long, with great cameos from Brendan Fraser, Peter Dinklage and Vince Vaughn. The film examines love in the modern age when over-sharing of information can lead to imagined perfect relationships. But there’s more, of course. One does not go to The Loft expecting to see just normal film festival fare. The odd, unique and special are represented this year with a few signature events. First up is a screening of Willow Creek, which springs from the mind of comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, who last surprised us with the excellent and telling story God Bless America. This time he has created a found footage-style horror film about a couple’s search for Bigfoot. Goldthwait will be in person at the event. Also look for a special screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas with special guest Pete Kozachik (brother of city councilman Steve Kozachik), who was on the effects team for the film and presents the anniversary showing of Tim Burton's classic tale. There will also be a screening of The Room, long thought to be the worst movie ever made, which now has a cult-like following. n For a full line up of films in this year’s fest, the schedule of screening times, and costs visit LoftCinema.com/loft-film-fest. The Loft is located at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Call (520) 795-7777 for showtimes, call the box office at (520) 795-0844 for more information. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 5
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PAINing POORtraits… A documentary by Adam Cooper-Terán, premieing November 8, 10pm, at The Loft Cinema.
PAINing POORtraits premiers Nov. 8, 10 p.m., at the The Loft Cinema.
Photo courtesy of DraftHouse.com
PAINing POORtraits (Adam Cooper-Terán, 2013, 65min) follows painterperformer Steven Leyba Johnson as he reclaims and re-invents his work, giving friends and muses alike the opportunity to destroy his paintings. In his examination of Destruction, Transformation, Reclamation, and Rebirth, Leyba takes on various enemies, from ex-lovers to the Monsanto Corporation, even himself as the Hero/Fool. The film is an allegory for every true artist who creates and is a renegade to the system, fighting globalization, celebrity, consumerism, governments, multinationals, and the growing ineffectiveness of today’s activists. Rev. Steven Johnson Leyba is a ritualistic, shamanistic painter of Mescalero Apache ancestry. His art is equal parts satanic, holistic, radical, political, and extremely personal. Utilizing various media, Leyba creates a celebration of the sacred and profane. Paint mixes with collage, beadwork, and DNA making bold statements about the world we live in and constantly questioning the very nature of Art. Since 1989, Steven Leyba has produced 14 handmade books, huge volumes of bound works on canvas. Forms of these have been published by Last Gasp and Coyotel Press in books containing commentary by William S. Burroughs, H.R. Giger, Poppy Z. Brite, Clive Barker, and Genesis P-Orridge. He has been the subject of media attention for his controversial approach and subject matter, and in 2002 a documentary was made about the artist titled, Unspeakable:The Life & Art of Reverend Steven Johnson Leyba. Leyba’s artwork has been collected by Vincent Price, William S. Burroughs, Stephen King, Clive Barker, David Cronenberg, H.R. Giger, Cornell University, A.I.M. (American Indian Movement), Genesis P’Orridge, Lydia Lunch, and the Black Panther Party.
“Singin’ In The Rain” shows at the Fox Theatre on Sat, Nov 23 and Sun, Nov 24.
film listings THE LOFT CINEMA 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 795-7777 (show times recording), 322-LOFT, LoftCinema.com Times and admissions vary. Fri 1: First Friday Shorts, Museum Hours, The Last Dragon, Man of Tai Chi Mon 4: Grand Theft Auto Tue 5: Nebraska Thu 7: Loft Film Fest, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Waiting Room, Willow Creek, A Birder’s Guide to Everything, Dear Mr. Watterson: An Exploration of Calvin and Hobbes, Le Week-End, Mr. Nobody. Fri 8: Delicatessen, PAINing POORtraits Wed 13: Broadway Idiot Fri 15: Clue, GMO OMG, Blue is the Warmest Color Sun 17: The Servant Mon 18: The Video Dead Fri 22: Oldboy Mon 25: The Arena Fri 29: Beetlejuice FOX THEATRE 17 W. Congress St. Admission is $6-$8. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org Sat 23 & Sun 24: Singin’ in the Rain PIMA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES 594-5500, Library.Pima.Gov Fri 1: The State of Arizona (Joyner-Green Valley) Thu 7: The State of Arizona (Oro Valley) Mon 18: The Hunger Games (Flowing Wells) THE SCREENING ROOM 127 E. Congress St. 882-0204, Facebook.com/tucsonfilm See the website for schedule.
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“Conchylodes salamisalis” by Joseph Scheer is an auction offering Kore Press Benefit Auction and Autumnal Garden Party.
Elevating Female Voices
by Jamie Manser
Late October saw Kore Press' downtown adobe office filling up with artwork - donations from local artists for the non-profit press' 20th anniversary fundraiser, garden party and art auction on Nov. 10. A large assemblage, eight framed pieces, from local artist Eva Harris had arrived since the last time co-founder and Executive Director Lisa Bowden had been in. She gazes at the accumulation with appreciation and curiosity, while Director of Operations and Development Therese Perreault describes the work. "These are from Eva, calligraphy pieces done in the traditional form,” Perreault says while pointing to the compact disks that are accompanying each piece. “She listens to music when she works, and includes the CD and the track that inspired the piece.” Everything is lying face down. Bowden exhibits patience even though it is clear she is itching to look at them. “It can wait,” she smiles, and leads me over to their library to explain the work published by the press. Bowden pulls out a chapbook and details how Kore Press offers a short fiction award for a single short story, in addition to its first book award for poetry. “We have a big name judge and we publish it in a chapbook. The design is 8-1/2 by 11 (inches) folded in half, quick and dirty and interesting and compelling, like a short story. We do some kind of handmade element," Bowden points to the 2010 short fiction award winner, Heather 10 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
Brittain Bergstrom's All Sorts of Hunger cover. "In this case it’s a knot sewn through the Os in the title. Leslie Marmon Silko judged this one and Heather Brittain Bergstrom just signed a two book deal with big publishers in New York. She’s a Northwest writer and writes a lot about the sex worker industry in that part of the country. The voices of her characters are really interesting and unusual." Brittain Bergstrom's book deal illustrates Kore Press' success in its charge as a feminist press to elevate women's voices and push to change the dominant paradigm of gender inequity in publishing. "Women are unrepresented in creative writing and literary worlds, and in the publishing world and in the journalism world and in the media world, just like they are everywhere else." She says it simply, and refers to Kore's informational pamphlet that lists these statistics: • Only 29% of the members of the New York Times editorial board are women; 35% of The Wall Street Journal; 40% of the Los Angles Times. • Since 1948, the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction has been awarded to 42 men and 17 women. • Since its inception in 1923, Time Magazine has had only one female editor. • In 1980 there were over 40 feminists presses in the U.S. Now there
are 10, eight are non-profit. Three have lasted over 20 years. One of them is Kore. • Kore has published over 120 female writers and has launched over 50 careers. We step back two decades, to the beginning of Kore in October 1993. As conversations between creatives are wont to do, the idea that sprung from the minds of Karen Falkenstrom and Bowden took hold, became a reality and grew. "We discovered there wasn’t anything like it in the Southwest, per se. In California, yes, and it just kind of took off from there. We were talking over coffee at The Cup Cafe and just decided, 'We’re going to do it, we’re going to make it happen'." In the fall of 1993, Bowden had come out of the university's English department and had been working for several years with Charles Alexander at Chax Press ("it was all about letter press printing and hand binding, mixing inks and using this wonderful old machines to make books"), Falkenstrom had been an MFA student and assistant to the director at the UA Poetry Center at the time, Alison Deming. Synchronicity steps in when Alexander takes a job in the Midwest and sells the press to Kore; serendipity came along to bring Kore its first publication, Alison Deming's manifesto Girls in the Jungle: What Does it Take for a Woman to Survive as an Artist? Bowden had heard Deming present that 10 point manifesto at the Tucson Museum of Art's exhibit of Guerrilla Girls posters. "Oh, yeah, I want that, I want that, that’s what I want to do, that’s what we’re about," Bowden says, remembering the inspiration and excitement. "It was one of those light bulb moments. And Karen was working with Alison at the time at the Poetry Center and she just asked her. And I thought, 'Well, that was easy, she just gave us a piece to publish'." The broadside was easy to publish; however the press' first book Helen Groves, by Olga Broumas and T Begley, was done by hand and took a year and a half to produce 200 copies. "It was laborious and beautiful and kind of an exquisite thing," Bowden shares. "From that point, we went back and forth between the two" forms of publishing. "To me, what was important to establish was the value of aesthetics and beauty and the care that went into the making of the book was a way of honoring the labor of the writer. Sort of in-kind, because we weren’t making anybody any money, so to really lift up those voices with beauty and aesthetics and sort of arrest people visually as much as the words would do otherwise. Those were my skills, that is what I brought to the table." While Kore has mostly moved away from the labor intensive book-as-
art publishing, its efforts to elevate the voices of women has manifested in other ways, through community engagement and working with young women to inspire and provoke their minds and realities. As the press moves forward, the next steps include progressing into the national arena with a national board of directors, recognizing that "our books are distributed nationally, we have national and international submissions for our contests, and so, by the nature of what we do, we have a national and international audience" Bowden states. "Sustaining is a whole other thing and that’s what we’re really interested in now, looking at what we’ve done and how to sustain that. And the track record that we have, not just in terms of longevity, but the kind of reach and impact that we’ve had with our projects is compelling to a lot of people." University of Arizona Art Professor Ellen McMahon is one of those people. "Lisa Bowden and I shared a studio when she founded Kore Press and I've been a supporter since then," McMahon writes via email. "I think I've donated work to every auction they've had. Kore is doing amazing and important work, encouraging and supporting women to get their ideas and voices out into the world. I have great respect for Lisa and the organization she has grown over these years and I'm glad to be a contributor." Local artist/auction consultant Valerie Galloway agrees, saying "Many women have benefited from Kore Press and the exposure they have received. I think it's important for individual members of artistic communities to help each other and support each other, and this is a wonderful way to do that. I admire Lisa so much for her tireless dedication to women writers and the arts in Tucson." Mixed-media artist and art donor Cynthia Miller shares, "I have always been a supporter of Lisa Bowden and Kore Press, even before Kore, when Lisa worked with Chax Press at the Steinfeld Warehouse. Lisa's commitment to the craft of contemporary bookmaking is well met by the writing women of our generation. Kore Press celebrates everyone. I am just happy to be a small part of it all." n Be a part of Kore's 20th Anniversary celebration, fundraiser and art auction on Sunday, Nov. 10 on the lawns of the Franklin House, 402 N. Main Ave., from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Children under 12 are free. The price includes light fare, drinks and bidding privileges on the work donated by over 30 artists. Tickets available at KorePress.org or by calling (520) 327-2127.
Book cover photo by Valerie Galloway
“The Best of Kore Press 2012 Poetry,” which Bowden describes as “a landmark publication since we’ve never done something like this before and we published it the year of our anniversary.”
This piece by Cynthia Miller is an auction offering at the garden party. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 11
Open Studio Tour, November 9 and 10, 11am-5pm, TucsonPimaArtsCouncil.org
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Open Studio Tour by Alec Laughlin
Since 1987, the Tucson Pima Arts Council (TPAC) has sponsored the Fall Open Studio Tour, an annual event during which artists all over Tucson welcome the public into their studios. It allows the populace an opportunity to see the artists in their working environments, to have an intimate peek behind the curtain, to view artists’ latest works and visit with them to learn about their craft. Visitors may purchase directly from the artists fine works in a great variety of mediums including glass, metal, painting, sculpture, and photography. The free tour takes place on Nov. 9 and 10, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., with 224 registered artists participating. Roberto Bedoya, TPAC's Executive Director, has witnessed the growth of the event during the past seven years since he joined the organization. Bedoya estimates that as many as 8,000 visitors—mostly Tucsonans—attended last year’s event and we can expect to see at least as many turn out this year. A recent report released by TPAC entitled, "Creating Prosperity: How the Arts Improve Our Economy and Our Community Value," informs us of the significant positive financial impact that the arts have on the city of Tucson and Pima County. So significant, in fact, that they report $87.7 million in annual revenue channeled into the local economy from art and cultural events and programming, which is almost twice the national county median.[1] According to the report, attendees of such events spend an average of just over $23 per person. This number does not include figures on art sales nor admission fees, but reflects the money spent by attendees of events such as the Open Studio Tour with local businesses. From this report, one may glean the value of supporting the arts, as the arts do much to support our community. The artists themselves potentially have much to gain from the event as well. Roughly 100 artist responses to a survey conducted by TPAC about the 2012 Open Studio Tour suggest that that a significant number of artists sold work, with the average in sales being approximately $500, culminating in total sales of close to $100,000. Susan Gamble, of Santa Theresa Tile Works located on the corner of
Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street, has observed the success of the Open Studio Tour since its inception. It’s not just the increased number of visitors to her shop during the days of the event, but the exposure it creates for her business and all of the studios and businesses in her area. It’s a great opportunity for the general public to get an introduction to works and services that they may not otherwise be enlightened about through traditional means. It allows her to connect with a broader audience and that audience returns well after the event. “I’m convinced that people come back to our place because of Open Studio Tour,” says Gamble. During the weekend event, artist studios can be visited from Picture Rock on the west to Wentworth on the east—from as far north as Catalina down to Irvington Road at the south, with the greatest concentration of open studios in downtown and central Tucson. For a complete map of open studios, visit TucsonPimaArtsCouncil.org. There you can also browse by artist name. Free print versions of the Artist Directory are available at select locations around Tucson including the Pima County Public Libraries, Bookmans' locations and The Loft Cinema. The Jewish Community Center offers a preview show of works by participating artists in their fine art gallery at 3800 E. River Rd. Works were hung for display on Friday, Oct. 18 and will remain available for viewing through Thursday, Nov. 7 with a closing reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the last day, during which one artist will be selected by an exhibit juror to receive a $500 award for Best in Show from the TPAC Board of Directors. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Saturdays and during Jewish holidays. n The studio tour is Nov. 9-10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For a complete map of open studios, visit TucsonPimaArtsCouncil.org. [1] Americans for the Arts (AFTA), Arts and Economic Prosperity IV Report (2012). Please note: these figures do not include the University of Arizona’s cultural institutions.
Artists on preceding page, from left to right, top to bottom: Gavin Troy; Samuel Ponce; Janice Taylor; Laurel Burton; Monica Warhol; Carol Steffgen; Kyle Johnston. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 13
Open Studio Tour, November 9 and 10, 11am-5pm, TucsonPimaArtsCouncil.org
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Open Studio Tour, November 9 and 10, 11am-5pm
Open Studio Tour, November 9 and 10, 11am-5pm, TucsonPimaArtsCouncil.org
Open Studio Tour, November 9 and 10, 11am-5pm
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Veloci Rapture
Bike Love by Brandi Saxton
by Phoenix Michael
Bicycles. Art. Two great tastes that taste great together, as the Reese’s commercials used to say. With its mostly-flat streets and sunny blue skies for fans of the former, combined with the open minds and low rents favored among practitioners of the latter, Tucson has long been home to aficionados of both. It should come as no surprise to us desert rats, then, that a studio workspace for bicycle-loving egalitarian artists has in recent years sprouted and flourished in the Old Pueblo. In a landscape dotted with Sonoran flora and bounded by national parks, inspiration is literally everywhere and two-wheeled creative types tend to gravitate towards one another. VelociPrints, headquartered at 310 S. Meyer Ave., is a hub of sorts for these freewheeling folks. There is absolutely no admission cost to their upcoming annual show featuring all-print, limited edition two-dimensional bike-inspired art, and every single one of the works displayed, and sold for only $40 each, at Borderlands Brewing Company, 119 E. Toole Ave.! A percentage of all sales will go to Tu Nidito Children and Family Services, the only organization in Southern Arizona offering comprehensive grief support for young people suffering the loss of a loved one, and a complete set of prints will be donated to this year’s Bicycle Inter-Community Art and Salvage (BICAS) Annual Art Auction - which takes place this December. VelociPrints founder and director Nathan Saxton is only too happy to sing the praises of his collective’s many talented members. Among VelociPrints’ fifteen participating artists is Matt McCoy, a graphic designer for beloved film/art house The Loft Cinema and a local disc jockey as well. Printmaker Luis Valdez, according to Saxton, “has got a really good sense for the feel of Tucson.” Mural painter Ruben Urrea Moreno creates art
about bikes and also builds bikes that are art pieces, and is known for his make-art-every-single-day tagline, “To paint - you must paint.” Bicycles. Art. What’s missing? Beer! Is there any better place for the VelociPrints gang to show their stuff than Borderlands Brewery Company, one of the latest and greatest watering holes downtown? “This will be our third year at Borderlands,” says Saxton, describing the combination of bicycle-inspired artwork and locally-produced suds as a “natural match.” The whole idea of the “community-centric” VelociPrint Show is “to get a ton of people in the building. Everybody contributes a little and everybody gains a little. Bicycling is an activity that people of all ages and economic levels can enjoy,” Saxton says. “We’ve designed this event in that spirit, and our goal is that everyone who attends is inspired to jump on a bike the next day.” Or even later that same evening, one presumes. VelociPrint Show 2013 debuts at Borderlands Brewing Company, 119 E. Toole Ave., on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 4-9 p.m. and runs through Nov. 30. The savvy cyclist might want to pedal over from the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association (GABA) bicycle swap meet taking place nearby at 5th Avenue and 7th Street earlier that opening day on Saturday, Nov. 16. Just look both ways and be careful crossing those modern streetcar tracks that were recently laid down! n Bicycles. Art. Beer. Community. For more information, visit BorderlandsBrewing.com, BikeGABA.org and VelociPrints.com. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 17
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The Playhouse Lights the Lights
With shadow puppets, glove puppets and giant puppets, Puppets Amongus offers playful shows for children and provocative shows for adults. by Jade Nunes
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photo by Jade Beall
Puppets Amongus' Hatter's Hollow
photos by Jade Beall
Isabel
“There’s something about puppetry that is universally fascinating,” said Matt Cotten, the man behind the magic of Puppets Amongus. “It’s sort of a strange novelty.” Cotten, a puppeteer with 18 years of experience is the sole proprietor and Artistic Director of Puppets Amongus. Puppets Amongus was established three years ago and now has a home, The Playhouse, which opened last year. The Playhouse offers people a chance to see Cotten’s puppets in the act. And this fall, there’s a lot to look forward to. Cotten is the voice, the artist and the writer for all of the shows featured at The Playhouse, 657 W. St. Mary’s Rd. He uses shadow puppets, glove puppets and even giant parade style puppets to bring stories to life for a wide variety of audiences. “To be able to project a character onto this object and bring it to life and sort of have it carry out improvisation or narrative is tremendously interesting on so many levels,” he said. Cotten explained that is was when he was studying painting as a graduate student at the University of Arizona in 1995 when he grew interested in exploring the world of puppetry. “I wanted a direct interaction with my audience, instead of seeing my work hanging in a gallery,” he said. “The audience was very, very responsive to puppetry in a way that you don’t really witness in a gallery as a painter.” There are many levels of creativity needed to piece together a puppet show – script, set, character, music – all of which lend themselves to add to the novelty and authenticity of a puppet show. “That all sounds kind of crazy, but there are so many psychological layers to the practice of puppetry.” Cotten said. Cotten said he has around 100 glove puppets and close to 250 shadow puppets. He even has larger than life Beatles puppets and John Lennon, as fate would have it, is about to get a makeover to become Harry Potter. Think about it, John Lennon with a scar on his forehead and his trademark glasses could totally pull off the Harry Potter look. He says the only form of puppetry he doesn't utilize are marionettes. "Strings drive me nuts," he said. “Some puppets I’ve had for more than 10 years so it may sound odd, but they have their own core personality, which is kind of an extension of me. But they will play different roles in different ways,” Cotten said. “I think of my puppets as actors who are refining their craft. They will often play various roles in different productions.”
Some of the puppets Cotten works with include Shoe the old Chinese man, Barley the boy, and Thomas from Newcastle, England. Thomas plays a variety of characters - from a simple, oafish woodsman to a French chef. “My favorite part about acting, well, I like the creative process. That’s my favorite thing,” explained Thomas. “Sometimes my director doesn’t know which direction to go and I say, ‘Cast me for that part! I’ll do a wonderful job!’ I am just a puppet after all.” And if anyone has authentic Jamaican allspice, Thomas, in his role of French Chef, Pompidou, would greatly appreciate it. Barley shared that he’s played everything from a baby or a seven-year-old boy, to an Irishman in the St. Paddy’s day show. He also said that his favorite audience to perform for is children. “I like kids, kids like me,” Barley said bashfully. “I look kind of funny I guess. I’ve got this weird expression on my face that exudes happiness and joy, and excitement at the prospect of a very exciting adventure ahead of me.” But puppet shows aren’t just for the kids. Cotten also offers a puppet cabaret – fun, provocative, humorous - for the adults. "The puppet cabaret has just been a format for people to experiment and not worrying about having to censor themselves at all,” Cotten said. “That was risqué and that was a lot of fun. The response was wonderful.” He invites other puppeteers to join him in creating the cabaret in a variety show that features short acts of shadow and traditional forms of puppeteering. “So it’s a format that is intended to activate a community, to sort of kick start an interest in puppeteering,” he added. Heimlich, the puppet from Deutschland, hosts the cabarets. “I like to make dirty jokes” said Heimlich in his thick German accent. “They don’t let me out for the children’s shows, no.” The Playhouse also shows short films of some of the best puppetry in the world, as compiled by Heather Henson – the famous Jim Henson’s youngest daughter. Cotten is showing seven volumes of the films. “You wouldn’t be able to see these any other way,” Cotten said. n
Puppets Amongus’ Dragon
Matt Cotten
The Playhouse is located at 657 W. St. Mary’s Rd. November family performances include "Crumpled" on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9, 10, 16, 17 at 4 p.m. For the full fall schedule of shows and ticket prices, visit PuppetsAmongus.com. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 19
Photo courtesy of Carnival of Illusion.
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Performances ARIZONA FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC
Hye-Jin Kim and Ieva Jokubaviciute perform on Sun, Nov 10. Vienna Piano Trio performs Wed, Nov 13. TCC’s Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave. 577-3769, ArizonaChamberMusic.org
ARIZONA ONSTAGE PRODUCTIONS
Pinkalicious The Musical takes place Sat, Nov 16- Sun, Nov 17. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 2703332, ArizonaOnStage.org
ARIZONA OPERA
The Flying Dutchman shows Sat, Nov 23-Sun, Nov 24. TCC’s Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. 293-4336, AZOpera.com
ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY The Mountaintop, a re-imagining of the events on the eve of Martin Luther King’s assassination, continues through Sat, Nov 9. Xanadu, a musical comedy, opens Sat, Nov 30. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 622-2823, ArizonaTheatre.org
BEOWULF ALLEY THEATRE
Savage Bond shows Fri, Nov 8- Sun, Nov 24. Adults; $20, Senior, Military and Teachers; $18. 11 S. 6th Ave. 882-0555, BeowulfAlley.org
BERGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER African Music Night, starring K-Bass and Farafina Musiki, a benefit for Imagine No Malaria, is Sat, Nov 2. Marvin Goldstein and Vanessa Joy Holiday Concert takes place Fri, Nov 22; 7pm. 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. 770-3762, ASDB.State.AZ.US/Berger/
“Carnival of Illusion” continues its 5th season through November with performances by Sarlot and Eyed.
CYT’s next show “Oliver!” will be performed at Pima Community College Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre November 1 - 3.
THE GASLIGHT THEATRE Buccaneers Caribbean continues through Sun, Nov 10. A Smalltown Christmas opens Thu, Nov 14. 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. 8869428, TheGaslightTheatre.com
INVISIBLE THEATRE Miracle on South Division Street shows Thu, Nov 12Sun, Nov 24. 1400 N. 1st Ave. 882-9721, InvisibleTheatre.com
LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP The Great Zantini and the Magic Thief continues through Sun, Nov 24. Souvenir continues through Sat, Nov 16. Holiday Memories opens Thu, Nov 21. Short Attention Span Theatre performs Sat, Nov 9 and Sat, Nov 16. See website for prices and times. 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. 327-4242, LiveTheatreWorkshop.org
ODYSSEY STORYTELLING SERIES
Revenge: Stories of Getting Even takes place Thu, Nov 7. 7pm; $7. Fluxx Studios and Gallery, 416 E. 9th St. 7304112, OdysseyStoryTelling.com
PCC THEATRE ARTS
The Laramie Project shows Thu, Nov 14- Sun, Nov 24. Thu-Sun; 7:30pm, Sun; 2pm. $15. Jazz Improv Combos shows Mon, Nov 25. 7:30pm. $6. Proscenium Theatre, 2202 W. Anklam Rd. 206-6670, Pima.edu/cfa
PUPPETS AMONG US Crumpled shows Sat, Nov 9- Sun, Nov 10 & Sat, Nov 16- Sun, Nov 17. 4pm. $6; Kids, $8; Adults. Puppet Cabaret shows Sat, Nov 23. 7:30pm. $8. The Playhouse, 657 W. St. Mary’s Rd. 444-5538, PuppetsAmongUs. com
THE ROGUE THEATRE Measure for Measure shows Thu, Nov 7- Sat, Nov
BLACK CHERRY BURLESQUE/RAW Tantalizing burlesque performance
24. 738 N. 5th Ave. 551-2053,TheRogueTheatre.org
on Fri, Nov 1 and Fri, Nov 15; 8pm and 10pm. Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. 882-0009, TucsonBurlesque.com
SEA OF GLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS Vansguard shows Fri, Nov
CARNIVAL OF ILLUSION Continues its 5th season through November. Tuc-
15; 7:30pm. $13-$18. Opening Our Eyes-Documentary shows Sat, Nov 16; 7pm. $7.50. 330 E. 7th St. TheSeaofGlass.org
son Double Tree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way. 615-5299, CarnivalOfIllusion.com
TUCSON JAZZ SOCIETY Pete Christlieb & John Allred: Big Band Extrava-
CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER Oliver, based on Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,”
ganza performs on Sat, Nov 2; 7pm. Westin La Paloma Resort. Fred Hersch Trio performs Wed, Nov 13; 7pm. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 903-1265, TucsonJazz.org
this endearing musical is full of popular songs such as “Consider Yourself,”” Food, Glorious Food,” “As Long As He Needs Me” and many more! Nov. 1-3. Pima Community College Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre, 2202 W. Anklam Rd. CYTTucson.org.
FOX THEATRE
An Evening with Mandy Barnett and Classic American Music takes place Fri, Nov 1; 8pm. Twist and Shout: The Definitive Beatles Experience takes place Sat, Nov 2; 7:30pm. Vince Gill: Chasing Rainbows Gala takes place Sun, Nov 3; 6pm. Pacific Mambo Orchestra featuring Tito Puente, Jr performs Tue, Nov 5; 7:30pm. The Evolutionary Links Between Exercise and Happiness - Lecture Series takes place Wed, Nov 6; 6:30pm. An Acoustic Event with Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt on Thu, Nov 7; 7:30pm. Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey perform Fri, Nov 8; 7:30pm. The Piano Man: Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel and Elton John takes place Sat, Nov 9; 7:30pm. How Great Thou Art: The Gospel Music of Elvis takes place Sun, Nov 10; 7:30pm. Happiness: A Feeling or a Future? - Lecture Series takes place Wed, Nov 13; 6:30pm. TPOA Battle of the Bands shows Fri, Nov 15; 5pm. Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could performs Sat, Nov 16. Eddie Money performs Wed, Nov 20; 7:30pm. Jim Breuer performs Thu, Nov 21; 7:30pm. Prices Vary. 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org
20 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
TUCSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Bimps and Wolfie perform Sat, Nov 2; 10am & 11:15am. Tucson Symphony Center. Legends and Dances performs Sat, Nov 9; 8pm and Sun, Nov 10; 4pm. Catalina Foothills High School. Dancing with Glass and Beethoven takes place Fri, Nov 15; 8pm and Sun, Nov 17; 2pm. Hot, Hot, Hot! takes place Sat, Nov 30; 8pm. See website for times and prices. TCC’s Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. 882-8585, TucsonSymphony.org
UA’S ARIZONA REPERTORY THEATRE
The Fantasticks continues through Sun, Nov 10. Tornabene Theatre. The Man Who Came To Dinner opens Sun, Nov 10. Marroney Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Rd. 621-1162, TFTV.Arizona.Edu
UA PRESENTS
Jon Batiste and Stay Human perform at Club Congress Thu, Nov 7- Sat, Nov 9. Diavolo Dance Theater performs Sat, Nov 9; 8pm. Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra performs Fri, Nov 15; 8pm. Unión Tanguera: “Nuit Blanche” shows Sat, Nov 30; 8pm. Prices vary. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. 6213341, UAPresents.org
November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 21
photo via Wikimedia Commons/Scott Sandars
Z arts
Blacksmithing is disciplined, detailed work, needing strength and dexterity to stoke the fires and hit the molten metal with the correct pressure.
Forging a Utilitarian Classic The art of the blacksmithing returns to the Tucson Presidio. by Monica Surfaro Spigelman
On Nov. 9, the unmistakable scent of hot metal will waft through the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson, re-introducing the lore of the smithy to Tucson. That day, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., the Arizona Artist Blacksmith Association (AABA) holds a metalworking event at Presidio San Agustín, a mix of demonstration for the public and technique-honing for the professionals. Modern-day blacksmiths will hammer away at the red ore in the reconstructed fort at the corner of Washington Street and Court Avenue, keeping tradition alive and showing crowds how frontier smithing was a cornerstone of settlement survival in Tucson. Blacksmithing was critical to this dusty northern outpost of New Spain when the presidio fort was built in the 1780s by the conquistadors. Smiths were the armorers who repaired weapons for military and their trade also served settlers by shaping metal shoes for horses and mules, forging nails, hardware or tools for building, and repairing essential equipment, such as wagons and plows.
22 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
The AABA has conducted demos state-wide since the association's founding in 1981, for both the public and also for the 235 state-wide members, 44 of whom are based in Southern Arizona. Although many members are hobbyists, there is a strong core of practicing blacksmiths still at work in Tucson. Two Tucson metal smiths and AABA members, Bill Ganoe and Eric Thing, helped initiate this Tucson Presidio demonstration. Tucson’s blacksmithing legacy has roots in the 11-acre presidio downtown, probably to the west of City Hall and south of Alameda, at the site pinpointed by archaeologists as the first blacksmithing operation. In the 1850s, a ring-shaped, 1400 pound meteorite (still the largest of its kind in the world) was used as an anvil at this site. Although the Smithsonian now houses this meteorite, its replica is on display at Flandrau Science Center on UA's campus. More modern-day Tucson smithing lore is found at 724 N. Main St., where Wm. Flores and Son, Tucson’s contemporary first family of practicing blacksmiths, has been stoking its forge since 1929. The family’s first shop was on Court Street.
Storied Hands Blacksmithing was always hard work in the west. With new iron expensive and hard to come by, very little was produced in colonial Mexico, and iron that was shipped to settlers from across the Atlantic Ocean needed to be hauled up to New Spain by mule train from Veracruz. The Industrial Revolution sped the demise of the handcraft, and blacksmithing may have become extinct if not for the founding of the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA) in 1973. The AABA, a chapter of the North American organization, continues its demonstrations and workshops in an effort to document the stories and techniques of the master craft. Harold Hilborn, a Tucson blacksmiths and founder of Holy Hammer Ironworks, doesn’t want the craft to fade into history, and meticulously preserves old-style handwork as do many of his fellow association members. “This is why we hold our demonstrations for the public, to keep the forges lit and burning, and help the craft stay alive,” says the skilled smith. Blacksmithing is disciplined, detailed work, needing strength and dexterity to stoke the fires and hit the molten metal with the correct pressure. It’s a lifetime practice that’s also an art.
Functional Craft According to Hilborn, blacksmiths put a little bit of themselves into each piece, while staying true to historic principles of craftsmanship and functionality. “We take tools of and techniques of the past and use them to sculpt functional art for homes or business,” says Hilborn. For metal art admirers, Hilborn wants to clarify an often incorrectly-used term: “The metal security iron you see on homes and business is ornamental iron, not wrought iron. Wrought iron is a type of metal with very little carbon in it, and around World War II manufacture or production of it stopped, as alloy steel became more prevalent. Back in the day, ornate decorative iron was produce by a blacksmith shop but it was largely forged wrought iron bars with cast iron elements.” Modern blacksmiths still produce this type of work today but use lowcarbon steel alloys for art that ranges from railings and decorative furniture, to fireplace enclosures, sculpture and lighting. “A main difference between a modern blacksmith and a fabricator/welder is that we use a forge anvil and hammer to shape our products, to give them texture and life,” Hilborn explains.
Demo Details The pros will get a chance to work with master craftsman Mark Aspery certified with Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, the UK-based guild that begun in London in 1324 - in a two-day Joinery Workshop the same weekend as the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson demo. Skills (ability to perform basic forging techniques and to hammer for several hours each day) and separate registration for the Nov. 10-11 workshop are required. While the blacksmith demonstrations are underway on Nov. 9, onlookers also will have a chance to purchase gear and books, as well as browse a tailgate with association members selling mostly blacksmithing-related items and tools. An afternoon drawing for an “Iron-in-the-Hat” raffle (of forged art and functional items on display during the demonstrations) will benefit the AABA general fund. Head to the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson, 133 W. Washington St., Nov. 9 to see hot metal hammered and a classically-wrought, utilitarian art. Admission to the demonstration is free to the general public, but there is $20 fee for AABA members. Donations will help benefit the Presidio rebuilding effort. Safety goggles may be de rigueur, of course. n More details on the Nov. 9 event are at TucsonPresidio.com. For information on the Nov. 10-11 Joinery Workshop and Arizona Artist Blacksmith Association, visit AZ-Blacksmiths.org.
November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 23
Z arts
Photo courtesy ContrerasHouseFineArt.com
“Morelia” by Martin Quintanilla shows at Contreras Gallery through Nov 30.
art Galleries/exhibits ATLAS FINE ART SERVICES The Exotic Sublime- Explorations of the Desert Southwest continues through Sat, Nov 23. Wed-Thu; 11am-6pm. Fri-Sat; 11am7pm. 41 S. 6th Ave. 622-2139, AtlasFineArtServices.com
CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Charles Harbutt, Departures and Arrivals opens Nov 8, exhibits through Jan 2014. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat & Sun, 1pm-4pm. 1030 N. Olive Rd. 621-7968, CreativePhotography.org
CONRAD WILDE GALLERY Relative Geometries runs Nov 2-Nov 30 with a reception opening night from 6pm-9pm. Tue-Sat, 11am-5pm. 439 N. 6th Ave. #171. 622-8997, ConradWildeGallery.com
CONTRERAS GALLERY
Morelia, by Martin Quintanilla, shows Sat, Nov 2-Sat, Nov 30 with a reception opening night from 6pm-9pm. Tues-Fri; 11am-5pm, Sat; 11am-4pm. 110 E. 6th St. 398-6557, ContrerasHouseFineArt.com
DAVIS DOMINGUEZ GALLERY
Installation by Albert Kogel, paintings by Andy Polk and sculpture by Barbara Jo McLaughlin open Thu, Nov 7. Tue-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 154 E. 6th St. 629-9759, DavisDominguez.com
THE DRAWING STUDIO Small Wonders shows Sat, Nov 2-Sat, Dec 14 with a reception opening night from 6pm-8pm. Open every Saturday night throughout exhibit; 6pm-9pm. Tue-Sat; 12pm-4pm. 33 S. 6th Ave. 620-0947, TheDrawingStudio.org
ETHERTON GALLERY
Sonnets of Light, featuring Charles Grogg, Mayme Kratz, and Masao Yamamoto, continues through Sat, Nov 16. Tue-Sat, 11am-5pm. 135 S. 6th Ave. 624-7370, EthertonGallery.com
LIONEL ROMBACH GALLERY
Human Refuse shows Mon, Nov 4-Wed, Nov 13. Bachelor of Fine Arts Annual Fall Exhibition opens Tue, Nov 19. Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 624-4215, CFA.arizona.edu/galleries
LOUIS CARLOS BERNAL GALLERY Construct: Putting it Together continues through December. Mon-Thu; 10am-5pm. Fri; 10am-3pm. 2202 W. Anklam Rd. 206-6942, Pima.Edu/cfa
MADARAS GALLERY Children in Art shows through Sat, Nov 30. Mon-Sat; 10am-6pm. Sun; 11am-5pm. 3001 E. Skyline Dr, #101. 623-4000, Madaras.com
MONTEREY COURT CAFE GALLERY
Monterey After Dark continues through Spring 2014 as part of Fourth Friday Artwalks; 5pm-8pm. Really Rhinos continues through Sat, Nov 30. 505 W. Miracle Mile. MontereyCourtAZ.com
24 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
Gift of the artist ©Charles Harbutt
Charles Harbutt, Woman and Train, Providence, Rhode Island, 1976.
OBSIDIAN GALLERY
Three Artists: Merry Arttoones, Magdalene Gluszek, and George Penaloza, an exhibit of ceramic sculptures through Sun, Nov 10. WedSat; 11am-6pm. 410 N. Toole Ave. 577-3598, Obsidian-Gallery.com
PORTER HALL GALLERY
Comings and Goings, the work of Julie Freshwater, Dan Chavez, Carol Lucas and Kathy Robbins, opens Thu, Nov 7. Daily; 8:30am4pm. $13, Adults; $12, Student/Senior/Military, $7.50, Children 4-12; Free, Children 3 and younger. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 326-9686, TucsonBotanical.org
RAICES TALLER 222 ART GALLERY
Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead: annual cultural celebration and homage to the dead in the tradition of the Hispanic Southwest. Nov. 2-16, opening reception Nov. 2, 6pm-9pm, with blessing of the altars, lighting of candles, community potluck, refreshments, music, and children’s art activities. Fri-Sat, 1pm-5pm. 218 E. 6th St. 881-5335.
SACRED MACHINE Visit the website for information. Wed-Fri, 5pm-8pm; Sat, 4pm-9pm. 245 E. Congress St. 777-7403, SacredMachine.com
SOUTHERN ARIZONA WATERCOLOR GUILD
Fiesta Sonora Show continues through Sun, Nov 10. 9th Annual Calendar Show opens Tue, Nov 12. Awards reception on Thu, Nov 14; 5pm-7pm. Tue-Sun; 11am-4pm. Free. 5605 E. River Rd. 299-7294, SouthernArizonaWatercolorGuild.com
UA ART MUSEUM University of Arizona School of Art Faculty Exhibition continues through November. Tue-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun, noon-4pm. $5 adults; children/students/faculty, free. 1031 N. Olive Rd. ArtMuseum.arizona.edu
WEE GALLERY Sam Esmoer Show runs Sat, Nov 2-Sat, Nov 30, opening reception Nov 2, 6pm-11pm. Tue-Sat, 11am-6pm. 439 N. 6th Ave Suite #171. 360-6024, GalleryWee.com
WILDE MEYER GALLERY
The Journey - 30 years in Scottsdale; Eclectic Fusion and Quick Draw; Loving the West all show Thu, Nov 7-Sat, Nov 30. Mon-Fri, 10am-5:30pm. 3001 E. Skyline Dr. WildeMeyer.com
WOMANKRAFT ART GALLERY
27th Annual Holiday Bazaar opens Sat, Nov 2. Receptions Sat, Nov 2 and Sat, Dec 7; 1pm-5pm. Wed-Sat; 1pm-5pm. 388 S. Stone Ave. 629-9976, WomanKraft.org
YIKES TOYS AND GIFT-O-RAMA
Circus Show continues through Tue, Dec 31 and features new works by Mel Dominguez, Melissa Daye, Valerie Galloway, Sam Esmoer, Catherine Eyde, Vicki Lázaro, Nadia Walsh, and Mykl Wells. Mon- Sat; 10am-5:30pm. 2930 E. Broadway Blvd. 320-5669, YikesToys.com
November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 25
26 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
community Z
Holiday Help by Phoenix Michael
Hold on tight. They’re coming. The sales, the lines, the commercials. Under modern capitalism Thanksgiving and Christmas, once sacred days to slow down and spend quality time with family and friends, have instead become over-the-top occasions for families to speed up the spending. If one looks beyond the mall Santas and PlayStation®4 advertisements, however, it’s still possible to find the original purpose of the season. Sharing. Caring. Giving. Living, not apart, but together. Our society is made up of many contributors, all dependent on others. We should strive to give back just a little bit more than we take out. Ready to chip in? Read on. Casa de los Niños, for example, could use you. As one of the first crisis nurseries in the United States, for 40 years they have tirelessly worked towards a world where children are safe from abuse and neglect; they don’t intend to stop any time soon! Casa de los Niños' donation needs include: new or gently used children’s clothing and shoes, new toys, new books, diapers, formula, volunteers, and more. Financial philanthropy is also appreciated. To donate by phone, call (520) 624-5600. Visit CasaDeLosNinos.org to learn more about their prevention, intervention and treatment services, along with more donation items they would graciously accept. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can make a difference; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead Habitat for Humanity Tucson’s motto is “give a hand up, not a handout.” They don’t just build homes, they build hope. You can get involved by volunteering at construction sites, neighborhood improvement projects, or taking a shift at the HabiStore, 935 W. Grant Rd., pricing merchandise and assisting customers (it’s like a community-focused Home Depot). A one-hour volunteer orientation at Habitat For Humanity Tucson’s 3501 N. Mountain Ave. office is required; sign up online at HabitatTucson.org. “Service to a just cause rewards the worker with more real happiness and satisfaction than any other venture in life.” - Carrie Chapman Catt The Salvation Army Tucson operates a 91-bed Hospitality House Shelter downtown with laundry, dining, referral and activity services and showers for those in need. There are many ways to give: monetarily, by volun-
teering, donating goods and/or shopping in Salvation Army thrift stores. Nonperishable food items are accepted at 1021 N. 11th Ave. Eighty cents of each dollar spent by the Salvation Army goes directly towards services for needy recipients. SalvationArmyTucson.org has details about their Tucson Christmas Assistance Programs, including an Adopt-AFamily application form. “The highest of distinctions is service to others.” - King George IV Casa Maria is a Catholic worker community in Tucson, practicing acts of kindness and works of mercy in the name of liberty, social justice and peace. Casa Maria’s soup kitchen at 352 E. 25th St. serves meals daily, and can always use people from 8:30-11:30 a.m. to chop vegetables, prepare sandwiches and bag lunches. If you’ve got a busy schedule and are short on time (who isn’t these days?) you might consider donating clothing, food or hygiene items. Blankets, sleeping bags, toothpaste and towels are just a few of the supplies needed. You can also make a donation via PayPal at CasaMariaTucson.org. “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9) Tucson Homicide Survivors, Inc. is a nonprofit assistance program for the families of homicide victims, committed to guaranteeing that “no one has to endure the murder of a loved one alone.” They provide free of charge a survivor support crisis line, home visits, grief counseling, and legal advocacy among other services. HSI can use your help with office work, staffing tables at events and other activities. Volunteer opportunity forms are online at AZHomicideSurvivors.org. Of course, there are a myriad of other local non-profits that are in need of volunteering help, fiscal and other donations - such as the Community Food Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson, Primavera Foundation, Tu Nidito Children & Family Services, and countless more. Visit the Volunteer Center at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona's website at VolunteerSOAZ.org for a comprehensive list. “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” - Mahatma Gandhi n
November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 27
Z community photos by Lizzie Greene/EWB-UA
Back to Basics by Jamie Manser
“Simple is harder than complicated,” reflects environmental engineering student Andrea F. Corral. Her cohort Vicky Karanikola agrees enthusiastically, “Yeah! Everything is so technologically advanced that you forget the simple. Our designs have to be simplified, they have to be simple to work.” These University of Arizona doctoral environmental engineering students are discussing the challenges of going back to basics, to help a village in the mountainous Andean climes of Marquirivi, Bolivia gain a luxury the first world takes for granted everyday: sanitary conditions, hot showers and bathrooms. In a community of 300 people, a population that doubles during agricultural planting and later crop harvesting, there are only three latrines, Karanikola explains. "One in the school, one in the nurse's station and one outside, and pretty much they don't work, so nobody uses them. And they have one shower in the nurse's office, but nobody uses it because it is locked." Karanikola, from Greece, and Corral, from Ecuador, are volunteer members of Engineers Without Borders-University of Arizona (EWB-UA). Karanikola is the co-manager, with Jimmy Hackett, of the group's Marquirivi sanitation project which aims to establish showers with hot water and working latrines. The structures will allow the villagers to bathe comfortably and segregate their waste to end water, crop and field contamination, along with reducing water-borne illnesses. "Right now, I’m assuming they take showers with a bucket," Karanikola says, "and heat up the water and use a sponge. But during the winter, the freezing temperatures go to zero, and they are up 14,000 feet, higher than Mount Lemmon." To provide the village with hot water, EWB-UA will set up solar thermosyphons, which uses rudimentary science to operate. "It is very simple how it works," explains Karanikola. "It has a solar panel and tank and it basically works by the difference in water density created by the different temperatures of the water. You heat up the water in the solar panel, so it becomes lighter and moves up in the tank, and the colder water goes back and gets warm, so it’s very simple. No pumps, and you install it on the roof. I know about it because in Greece it is very common, we use it a lot for heating up the water." While the technology for the showers and latrines must be uncomplicated to be established in such a remote area, and subsequently operated 28 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
community Z
Marquirivi, Bolivia
and maintained by the villagers, the design and construction processes are challenged by the location's geological features. "It’s like a 35 percent slope. It makes our design very hard. We start designing something and in the process, we read stuff, we try to figure out things and we realize, 'this design is not feasible,' so it is a very long process. So we realize we need to go for a second assessment trip where we completely focus on figuring out the terrain, do very accurate percolation tests, surveying the community," Karanikola details. "We have two to three different alternative designs, and see which one they prefer. Which one would be better for them to operate and maintain, what would they prefer and do they have enough money to maintain and operate them for the different options we are giving them? So, there’s a lot of work to be done in December." The village was first "adopted" by EWB-UA in September 2011, according to EngineersInAction.org/projects/current-projects/marquirivi/. The local student organization had to apply for the project through the national Engineers Without Borders chapter in a rigorous selection process. The group's first assessment trip was in May 2012. It is now in the design and fund-raising phase for the December 2013 trip. "It’s hard work!" Corral laughs, shaking her head. "People, when they think about Engineers Without Borders, they don’t really think about fundraising, so it’s really hard to get people involved in that part of the organization, which is one of the basic cornerstones of the project because without money, we wouldn’t be able to go and do assessment trips and do the implementation." While the group has applied for and received several grants to cover travel and project expenses, there are always fiscal needs as EWB-UA has a five year commitment to the village's sanitation project. "There’s a process that we will build and monitor and the same time. Our project has many phases, so we don’t want to - we can’t actually build everything all together," Karanikola elucidates. Dr. Wendell Ela, EWB-UA's faculty advisor/professional mentor since 2004 and UA Chemical and Environmental Engineering Professor since 1998, reiterates the difficulties via email from Zimbabwe. "The current project to try and improve sanitation conditions for the community has a somewhat open-ended time frame, as the technologies to be implemented and number of sites to be addressed are still being designed and determined. It will minimally be a project going into 2016.
"Since the community is on a steep mountain slope at elevations ranging from about 12,500 to over 14,000 feet, the terrain is an obvious challenge. In addition, the community is very dispersed with the residences distributed over the entire area and no real opportunities for significant centralization of sanitation facilities. However, on the positive side, the community has a reasonably reliable and seemingly sufficient potable water supply, so one major hurdle is already surmounted." Both of the women speak with a passion for the work, and a deep respect for the community their team is volunteering their time and minds to serve. The depth of the project isn't just building a couple of showers and toilets. It is following building codes established by the United States, the United Nations, the Environmental Protection Agency, the World Bank. It is presenting the designs to EWB-USA, with exhaustive, precise reports covering the smallest technical details. They also both understand this effort requires people with diverse skills and make it very clear it doesn't take an engineer to be a part of EWBUA. "When we travel, we will need to have people that know about different things, we will need a nurse and someone in the social studies to reach out to the community and do a better survey of the needs of the community – how the community sees our presence there. Do they like it? Are they comfortable with us there? Do they agree with the project? Do they find it fine or do they disagree?" Corral says. When it comes to community, they both exude appreciation for Casa Vicente, the locale of EWB-UA's fundraising event on Nov. 24, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. As regulars at the downtown Spanish restaurant, 375 S. Stone Ave., the ladies discussed the project with owners Vicente Sanchez and Marita Gomez. "We were talking about it and he thought it would be a good idea to have an event there. So, we are very thankful to him and Marita. They’re great, they gave us great ideas to advertise the event and how to do it, they have done this before so their experience has been really helpful," smiles Corral. "They are a very giving couple." n The EWB-UA fundraising event, Noche Boliviano, is Sunday, Nov. 24 and features tapas, flamenco dancing, live music and details on the project. Tickets are $75. More information is at EWB-UA.org or email ewb. arizona@gmail.com. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 29
30 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
events Z
november Fri 1
Sat 9
TUCSON FIREFIGHTERS CHILI COOKOFF Over 750 gallons of chili served with all pro-
2ND SATURDAYS A monthly downtown festival
Fri 22 ANNUAL GLASS ART AUCTION
ceed benefitting Tucson Firefighters Adopt-A-Family Program. $1 per chili cup. El Presidio Park, 160 W. Alameda. DowntownTucson.org
with live music, performers, and vendors! Free. 6pm10:30pm. Free. Scott Ave Stage: The LoBros Band, The Jonestown Band, and Funky Bonz. Congress Street, 2ndSaturdays.com
12th Annual Glass Art Auction with glass blowing demos by Kevin Osbourne and Heath Kreiger. 5pm-9pm. $10. Sonoran Glass Art Academy, 633 W. 18th St. 8847814, SonoranGlass.org
Fri 1-Sun 3
Sat 9-Sun 10
Fri 22-Sun 24
CELTIC FESTIVAL & Scottish Highland Games:
TUCSON PIMA ARTS COUNCIL OPEN STUDIO TOUR Over 200 artists open their stu-
HOLIDAY ARTISANS MARKET Tucson Mu-
music, dancing, athletic events, food & drink. Times vary. Prices vary. Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 N. First Ave. 807-9509, TucsonCelticFestival.org
dios to expose their work via a self-guided tour! 11am5pm. 624-0595, TucsonPimaArtsCouncil.org
Sat 2
Sun 10- Sun 17
Mini Time Machine Museum’s second annual fundraising gala. Experience performances by artists, raffles, silent auction and a photo booth. 6:30pm. $60-$100. Mini Time Machine Museum, 4455 E Camp Lowell Drive. 881-0606, TheMiniTimeMachine.org
FIFTH TUCSON INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL Experience the musical talents of
VEGRANDIS
FIRST SATURDAY ART WALKS
Walking tours of Central Tucson Gallery Association’s participating galleries. 6pm-9pm. Warehouse Arts District, 119 E. Toole Ave. DowntownTucson.org
Sat 2- Sun 3 ALL SOULS PROCESSION WEEKEND Celebrate Día de Los Muertos with music, events and a procession on Sun, Nov 3; 6pm. See website for the specific events, times, and maps. AllSoulsProcession.org
Sun 3 TUCSON COMIC CON
A comic convention! 10am-5pm. $8-$10. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. 837-4753, TucsonComicCon.com
Fri 8 PCOA ART AUCTION: PEOPLE CREATING ART An art auction in appreciation of the many ways PCOA impact the lives of older adults. Benefits Pima Council on Aging. 6pm-10pm. Armory Park Center, 220 S. 5th Ave. 305-3401, PCOA.org
Fri 8- Sun 10 TUS CON FORTY
Odair Assad, Grisha Goryachev, and the Beeston Guitar Competition. $5-$30. Hosclaw Recital Hall, 1017 N. Olive. 342-0022, TucsonGuitarSociety.org
Mon 11 VETERANS DAY PARADE
A parade honoring the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. 10:30am. Route: Congress Street to 22nd Street, 4th Avenue to Granada Avenue. 404-9211, TucsonVeteransDayParade.org
Sat 16 JERÔME BEILLARD FESTIVAL FOR LIFE Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation celebrates its 25th Festival For Life with live music and a silent auction.$45-$55. Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Rd. SAAF.org
GABA BIKE SWAP Vendors come down with everything for the casual & serious bike enthusiasts. 5th Ave & 7th St. 8am-3pm. 323-9020, BikeGaba.org
6th ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW AND SELL Hosted by Paperworks, the Sonoran Collective for Paper and Book Artists. Various artwork from member artists- including watercolors, prints, collages, photography and more. 10am-3pm. St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church’s Murphy Gallery, 4440 N. Campell Ave. Paperworks.info/
seum of Art’s annual craft market with more than120 artists offering unique creations in jewelry, ceramics, watercolors, & metal work. Kids area, live music, more. 10am-5pm. Free. Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. 624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org
Sat 23 EL TOUR DE TUCSON
Over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities. Participants include novice, intermediate, advanced, & professional riders. Held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Various races, various locations & times. Registration fees. 745-2033, PerimeterBicycling.com
Fri 29-Sat, Dec 14 HOLIDAY NIGHTS The Park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland every Friday and Saturday night complete with over 750,000 holiday lights, live music, and dance performances. 5:30-8:30pm. $8-$15. Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. 742-6455, TohonoChulPark.org
Ongoing WILDCAT HOCKEY
Wildcats take to the ice at the TCC against the following teams: Fri 1 & Sat 2: Colorado State, Fri 8 & Sat 9: Minot State, Fri 15 & Sat 16: Cal State Long Beach, Fri 22 & Sat 23: Iowa State. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. 7:30pm. Prices Vary. ArizonaWilcatHockey.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
SciFi & Fantasy convention with guests Juliet Blackwell and Jessica Feinberg. Enjoy author readings, autographs, art, gaming and more. Times and prices vary. InnSuites Hotel Tucson CityCenter, 475 N. Granada. TusconSciFiCon.com
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Gearing up for El Tour
community Z by Jade Nunes The whirring of bike gears and the clicking of toe clips is a staple sound on the streets of Tucson, one of the nation’s most bike-friendly communities. We all know it – morning drives to work where you could easily spot dozens of cyclists enjoying the clear, desert air. But the true testament to Tucson’s cyclist appeal reveals itself every November when thousands of cyclists convene for El Tour de Tucson. The unique biking event is celebrating its thirty-first year in Tucson and invites cyclists to ride the perimeter of Tucson – tough thoroughfares, serpentine streets and broad byways – and even through water crossings, where participants must pick up their bike, yes pick it up, and walk it through dry washes. But the event represents much more than a grueling competition for the cyclists. El Tour draws more than $18 million in economic impact and 42 charitable agencies benefit from the event. “One of the most important things about El Tour is that it is a fundraising event,” said Richard DeBernardis, founder of El Tour de Tucson and president of Perimeter Bicycling Association of America (PBAA). “For some it’s a race. Some of us think it’s a ride, and for most of us, we want to raise money for something worthwhile.” It is this idea – giving back and benefiting the community – that lent itself to become the inspiration for this year’s theme of the Tour: Better Together Through Cycling. “Pretty much through cycling, we’ve connected volunteers to charitable agencies, charitable agencies to fundraising, businesses to economic impact,” DeBernardis explained. “They’re all working together and what they’re doing is making it better for the community and it’s all related around a cycling event, so it really is better together through cycling! I’ve always felt that you could probably solve all of the world's problems through cycling.” One of the largest beneficiaries of El Tour is the nonprofit TuNidito which works with Tucson families whose lives have been impacted by a serious medical condition or death. “We’re better through cycling because we’ve been able to grow our services,” said Liz McCuster, director of TuNidito Children and Family Services at an El Tour press conference last month. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without all of you at PBAA (Perimeter Bicycling Association of America).” Perimeter Bicycling of America, Inc. is the nonprofit organization responsible for the El
Tour de Tucson and several other major cycling events in Arizona. According to PerimeterBicycling.com, the organization has been a model for bicycling events in Japan, which are also aimed at concept of cycling in the pursuit of wellness. Another integral aspect of the ride are the volunteers. Ironically, or more perfectly, the day of El Tour, Nov. 23, also marks National Family Volunteer day. Two dedicated El Tour volunteers have been helping the event for about 28 years. “The staff down at El Tour is just so wonderful and so friendly. It’s enjoyable work,” said Leila Warfield. Warfield and her husband, Totten, will be celebrating their sixty-sixth wedding anniversary, and will be at the finish line checking in participants on the day of the event. It all sounds great, but the event struggled to find a title sponsor earlier this year, which almost left it short of hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding. The Tour needs about $650,000 in corporate funding to help pay the $1.8 million price tag, Richard DeBernardis said last month at the El Tour press conference. The University of Arizona Medical Center sponsored the event for the past six years, but their contract with the event expired. UMC continues to support the El Tour and is sponsoring the Tour’s “Fun Ride” this year. But it wasn’t long before Casino Del Sol took up the mantel as title sponsor. “We’re honored to be the presenting sponsor of the El Tour de Tucson in 2013,” Jim Burns, CEO of Casino Del Sol Resort said at the October El Tour press conference. “Our involvement with the race goes beyond the sponsorship. Our tribal members, our team members, and our families will be participating and we are proud to support them in their journey.” Burns reiterated the importance of El Tour for the local economies, but also added that the event's health benefits are massive as it inspires people to be active. He shared that the event itself is an opportunity to bring together people from all different walks of life from around the Tucson area and beyond. “We’re happy to be partners in this Tucson tradition,” Raymond Buelna, Pasqua Yaqui tribe council member said at last month's press conference. “I’d like to wish everyone well in their training and on that day, be safe out there on the roads.” Another event much like El Tour de Tucson was devastated earlier this year when two bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, killing three people.
To show continued support and remembrance for those lives lost and affected by the Boston bombings, Diamond Ventures will set up memorial signs along the Tour race course – 26.2 miles from the staring line, and 26.2 miles to the finish line. “When we heard the theme, ‘Better Together Through Cycling’ we all agreed that no better theme could have been chosen,” Nathan Levy from Diamond Ventures said at the El Tour press conference. “We’re touched by the El Tour’s desire to honor those killed and injured in the Boston Marathon bombings.” The event in of itself is a spectacle, but there is nothing quite like seeing the moving, contorting form of the peloton - hundreds of individual cyclists moving as one massive body. “There’s nothing more exciting for me than riding my bike with a group of other fast cyclists,” said avid cyclist John Carruth. “To me the El Tour is just one of those iconic Tucson events. It helps define who we are as a community.” Carruth is riding in support of the Greater Vail Community Services. His hope is to raise $1,000 to $1,500 in pledges for the charity while he rides the 85-mile race. Carruth, who competed in his first El Tour in 1988, also aims to finish in the top 20 riders. “It’s a real tangible example of what cycling can do for our community both from the charitable side, and an economic side,” said Carruth about El Tour. “And I get to ride my bike! I love it.” El Tour is expected to draw 8,000 to 9,000 national participants in its 111, 85, 60 and 42mile races. It also has three shorter routes in their "Fun Ride" - 10, 5 and quarter-mile courses for mountain bikes, tandems, wheelchairs and children. There's also the indoor El Tour in which participants can ride their own stationary bikes for minutes rather than miles, from anywhere in the world starting a week prior to the El Tour. The day of El Tour offers activities for nonriders too. The El Tour Downtown Fiesta at Amory Park, 221 S. Sixth Ave., will allow cyclists and spectators alike to enjoy a day of outdoor music, food and family fun while being able to watch riders cross the finish line. n The El Tour de Tucson is Nov. 23. For more information about El Tour routes, start times and registration, visit PerimeterBicycling.com.
Photo: El Grupo crosses the finish line at the 2011 El Tour de Tucson. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 33
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business Z o sy Casa Vide photo courte
Thirty Ye ars of Eclectic Flicks by Herb Stratford
89. Speedway, in 19 Casa Video, on
For Tucson film aficionados in the early '80s, a plethora of mom and pop video stores were available to choose from when looking for a specific film on VHS. But in the summer of 1983 an entirely new kind of store opened on Grant Road just east of Campbell Avenue - Casa Video. But this store wasn’t just another place to try to score a copy of War Games, Trading Places or Flashdance. In addition to popular movies, Casa Video stocked art films, documentaries and best of all, foreign titles. It was almost like a little piece of Manhattan dropped down in Tucson. We could finally locate the films our professors were referencing in class without mail order. Over the years, Casa has become the go-to place for so many filmsavvy Tucsonans that it’s almost impossible to visit the store and not see a friend or colleague also browsing the aisles. Co-owners and siblings Ray Mellenberndt and Gala Schwab’s parents owned a small movie theatre in Iowa, so growing up around the movies made opening a video store a natural occupational choice. Casa even expanded to two locations when they added their Speedway store in 1985, which became their only location when the Grant Road store closed in 1999. Ironically, the rise of streaming and the splintering of content providers is the greatest challenge, but a loyal fan base is unlikely to abandon Casa. So how has this brother-sister operation survived for thirty years while nearly every other local video store has been taken to the woodshed? We’ve seen Redbox, Blockbuster and a half a dozen other national chains come and go in Tucson, but Casa Video continues to be there for our weekly artistic, cinematic fix. According to Schwab, the siblings still love the business, and are always looking for ways to improve the customer experience. Lately the addition of new sodas and unique snack candy has been added to the mix, which may provide an edge unseen elsewhere. They have also adjusted to the digital age, offering online ordering for mailing or in-store pick up from their website. With just 1,000-1,500 independent video stores remaining in the U.S.
today, the business is dramatically different from when Gala and Ray began. Gala remembers going to Phoenix to visit distributor’s warehouses where they would “push shopping carts down aisles pulling films down that interested them.” The pair initially pooled their resources to buy up a closing store’s inventory to start Casa Video, and then focused on what they liked, namely foreign films and documentaries. And in Tucson they found a kindred audience, accumulating customers who also liked those things. It’s perhaps that experience of “reading the box” while standing in the aisles, looking for a new gem, that makes Casa so special. There’s so much to see, and the way titles are arranged makes the hunt and discovery a fun experience for customers. And to top it all off, the staff is a font of knowledge willing to assist, recommend and discuss titles if asked. In fact, the “staff picks” shelf by checkout is often a great place to see how hip and knowledgeable one is, as well as a great place to grab a last minute film of interest. When asked if there was one title that truly surprised them for its popularity, a film that was not mainstream but was rented almost to death, Gala offers the 1986 French film “Betty Blue” as a memorable surprise. Most likely this is not a title that would have graced Blockbuster’s shelves. So do yourself a favor. Go to Casa Video, become a member if you aren’t already, and spend some time exploring. Go upstairs, look for a gem by a favorite director, find a documentary you’ve heard about and take it home. If you’re not going to experience a film in a theatre, at least visit Casa to support a local favorite and likely you will see your friends there. It’s not surprising that a place like Casa can thrive in Tucson. Gala and Ray must have known that when they started their company’s journey 30 years ago. n Casa Video is open daily 10 a.m.–1 a.m. and is located at 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. and online at CasaVideo.com. Call (520)326-6314 for more details. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 35
photo: Lena Gabrilovich
Z food&drink
Celebrating the Magic of Maize With autumn in full bloom, the pleasantly cool climes are bringing forth an emergence of delicious local foods thanks to the ample harvests of the Southwest’s fall season. To celebrate one of the world’s most important crops and one that finds its roots in our own desert, Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S) is hosting special Maíz Mágico events this month to honor corn. “We’re throwing a spotlight on corn and all of its various incarnations and the many ways it’s celebrated and how it represents a huge aspect of our cultural orientation here in the Southwest,” says Native Seeds Deputy Director Belle Starr. “We’ll be celebrating by trying to make as many dishes as possible with corn. Living in the Arizona, corn is very special to us and is of extreme importance to our heritage.” “The oldest crops of corn found ever in the United States were found here in Tucson and they date back to 2100 B.C. and that just goes to show you the depth that corn has played in the history of this region,” explains Native Seeds Collection Manager Melissa Kruse-Peeples. “Corn has been a central food to so many cultures including the Aztecs and Mayans and it’s central to our own civilization. Corn was one of the first domesticated crops ever grown.” To celebrate the magic of corn, Native Seeds is hosting two events beginning with their Amaizing Sense of Place benefit dinner at Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails, 135 S. Sixth Ave., on Sunday, Nov. 10. The event will feature a four-course dinner with local wine pairings, which have all been conceptualized and executed by Native Seeds board member and renowned chef and owner of Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails, Janos Wilder. “Corn is really versatile, so we do a lot of different things with it from corn sauces, to vinaigrettes, to corn tamales, popcorn, street vendor corn, and the list goes on,” says Chef Wilder. “That’s one of the great things about corn is its infinite uses and its flexibility as an ingredient. Our guests for the event will be seeing corn used in ways that they might not be used to. It will hopefully expand the way they think about corn as a food. It will be a wonderful way to celebrate this beautiful region we live in and will give us a great sense of place.” The menu for the dinner will include such culinary treats as Corn and 36 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
by Jon D Auria
Sonoran White Wheat + Tepary Miso, Pop Corn Cones, Fresh Masa Gorditas, The Local Garden salad with corn presented in several ways, Fresh Corn Pasta with Huitlacoche, Heritage Turkey Ballotine with Blue Cornbread Stuffing and for desert, Mexican Lime Ice Cream with corn cookies. “As a chef, you have to harvest your products locally and cook from the region which you live. It becomes the rule instead of the exception,” says Wilder. “If you source food locally and use things that have historically been grown here, then you view your foods with a history of where you are. I like that there’s a sense of really wanting to survive here in Tucson, even in our crops. In wine they say that stressed grapes are the most delicious grapes and I believe that that is the same with the food here in our harsh, yet beautiful climate.” To continue the festivities, Native Seeds hosts Maíz Mágico at their Conservation Center, 3584 E. River Rd., on Saturday, Nov. 16. The event will feature corn cooked and prepared in many of its delicious forms as well as offering activities for the whole family, including: tortilla making, sampling of delicious treats, presentations on corn, maize-themed items for sale and tours of the NS/S seed bank. The event takes place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and there is a suggested $5 donation, though no one will be turned away. “We are so lucky to have the diversity of corn that we have in our seed bank, as we have over 500 varieties of corn from Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora and the states of northwest Mexico that are unique to our bank exclusively,” says Kruse-Peeples. “Most people are familiar with sweet corn and don’t realize that there are so many other kinds out there. This festival will definitely change the way that we view corn and its many amazing uses.” n The NS/S conservation center is located at 3584 E. River Rd., with a retail store at 3061 N. Campbell Ave. For more information on the events, visit NativeSeeds.org. Tickets for the Nov. 10 dinner are $120. All proceeds benefit NS/S and reservations can be made on their website or by calling (520) 622-0830 ext 100.
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photo by Samantha Angiulo
food&drink Z
Marie Bampamluolwa demonstrates FuFu flour tin at Tucson Meet Yourself.
Entrepreneurs in a Cultural Urban Kitchen A common denominator fuels body, spirit and economy. There’s a lot to talk about around Tucson’s culinary table, with so many finding their passion in locally-nourished baked goods, suds, cheeses, spirits and condiments. Food is the universal facilitator these days. But when cooks, as Michael Pollan says, stand “squarely between nature and culture,” food sovereignty is ignited, adding the spice of tradition to Tucson’s kitchen, in surprising ways. Dishes & Stories, a refugee and immigrant women’s culinary enterprise, has entered the conversation as a new social purpose organization focused on food culture and women’s self sufficiency. This is a joint venture between the Iskashitaa Refugee Network and Crossings Kitchen, the sole proprietorship of Priscilla Mendenhall, a Washington D.C. transplant, foodie and career non-profit professional who has transitioned to social enterprise. In its start-up phase, Dishes & Stories is a catering service with a globally-inspired, locally-sourced menu prepared by the refugee and immigrant women who are co-creating the enterprise. “Featuring a menu of our mother’s recipes,” Mendenhall adds. Culinary Connector There’s synergy between Mendenhall’s Crossings Kitchen and Iskashitaa, established by Dr. Barbara Alice Eiswerth in 2003 as a sustainable foods harvesting and redistribution program and a language and employment skills support network for refugees transitioning to life in Tucson. “With food as the common denominator, we’re helping refugees and immigrant women in a strange land use their skills and cultural practices to build community and livelihoods,” says Eiswerth, who founded her large-impact organization after visiting and working in Malawi and returning to see food waste in Tucson. After organizing youth mapping programs to identify locations of produce going to waste in Tucson, Dr. Eiswerth received a grant from the
by Monica Surfaro Spigelman
United Way to begin regularly harvesting with refugees, then redistributing to refugee families and other Tucson organizations to assist families in need. Thus, Iskashitaa (the Somali Bantu word for "working cooperatively together") was born. Each year, approximately 1,000 new refugees of 20 nationalities make their way to Tucson, and Iskashitaa reaches hundreds to help them rebuild businesses, share stories, learn English and, importantly, harvest local fruits and vegetables from cooperating farms, backyards and neighborhoods, to be re-envisioned within healthy recipes that help refugees retain tradition and activate a sustainable place for themselves in the Tucson’s local food system. Iskashitaa produces a line of 30 specialty food products, including marmalades and salad dressings, featuring locally harvested produce. What Dishes & Stories/Iskashitaa does is catalyze opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship, comments Mendenhall: “For us, ‘catalyze’ is the key word. Our roles as founders of Dishes & Stories are to leverage the financial, structural and logistical means of building a sustainable business which, within five years, will be a cooperatively managed and owned social enterprise.” Activating the Enterprise The start-up phase of the Dishes & Stories catering service already is serving up at local venues including the Tucson Museum of Art and during the annual Tucson Meet Yourself event. With its changing array of participants from Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Congo, Sudan, Bhutan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mexico and El Salvador, Dishes & Stories is a moveable feast, according to Mendenhall. The organization, utilizing rented while actively seeking a permanent commercial kitchen space, is beginning a basic culinary art training program while working out of the large Rincon United Church of Christ kitchen
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photo by Melissa Gant
continued from page 39 on Craycroft and Broadway. The Dishes menu is inspired by the traditional recipes of the refugee and immigrant women participating, and items range from tortilla sambusas (Somali wraps) and falafel to pumpkin stew, sautéed amaranth and chickenmushroom curry. Mendenhall says that cheese pairings, desserts and marinades also feature seasonal Iskashitaa specialty food items. Critical to the program is the storytelling component that surrounds all dishes featured on menu. “The stories of these dishes are told by the cooks and staff as they host and serve,” Mendenhall explains, “and the stories will also be incorporated into cooking classes and cultural celebrations. For many refugee and immigrant women, the utensils and cookbooks they bring from home help encapsulate their stories into their dishes, in ways that words cannot possibly convey.” Dishes & Stories has a business plan which progressively expands catering, adds a food truck and ultimately opens a 40-seat restaurant, which will also be sales venue for Iskashitaa specialty food items. “Knowing the challenges of any food service, and the complexities of providing programs tailored to women living on the edge, we are moving incrementally,” says Mendenhall, who notes that culturally-inclusive training in pre-employment (in cooperation with YWCA Tucson), business management, success coaching and financial literacy will be implemented as business operations continue to demonstrate success. All of these programs will be designed to accommodate the daily logistical and financial challenges experienced by women who face multiple barriers to creating their own self-sufficiency, says Mendenhall, who adds, “We have a formal framework in place for cooperative management and financial independence within five years.” Healthy Communities, Supporting Local Systems Through food preservation workshops, formal cooking retreats and the catering events, refugee women are sharing their cooking experiences and knowledge of traditional foodways as they envision theirs and Dishes’ future. Mendenhall recounts a recent September night, when one refugee cook from Upper Egypt, Manerva Bashta, watched with both tears and smiles as hungry attendees to a Tucson Museum of Art event relished her dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) and burek (savory puff pastries). “This was the first time Manerva had prepared food professionally, the food of her family and homeland,” Mendenhall says. “She came to the U.S. seeking asylum as she fled the persecution of Christians in her town. Here, she studies English, applies for jobs, shops carefully at Babylon and Caravan markets, takes care of her grandchildren and spends hours waiting for buses, especially on weekends. In Egypt, she taught business. Dishes & Stories provides a venue within which Manerva can renew confidence in her business and culinary skills.” Mendenhall also explains that as part of her in40 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
Brittany Svoboda (of the UA Enactus Club), Manerva Bashta and Kelzi Bartholomaei (of Mother Hubbard’s Café) preparing a platter of an Egyptian dish called koshari at the Dishes & Stories Cooking Retreat.
volvement, Manerva will assist in routinely helping to calculate ingredient costs, the preparation time and price points for each dish. Dishes & Stories recently received a grant from the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona to initiate a culinary and vocational English as a Second Language (ESL) training curriculum and begin developing menu items. Both will integrate the rich food traditions of our refugee women co-creators, says Mendenhall. Acting as a Dishes & Stories fiscal sponsor, Tucson Meet Yourself (TMY) helped incubate Dishes at last month’s festival, when Mendenhall led an exploration of ethnic food traditions and good eats in the TMY Cultural Kitchen. At the full demonstration kitchen in downtown's main library plaza, panel presentations were interspersed with group demonstrations, which included five Dishes refugee women as featured demonstrators. “Many of these women are in the United States for just a short time but they’re eager to bring the traditional dishes of their homelands to our community,” says Mendenhall. “From my perspective as coordinator of the TMY Cultural Kitchen, the festival and Dishes & Stories, as well as Iskashitaa, are part of the same Tucson movement to honor the diverse, family-rooted foodways of our community.” While cooking at TMY, the women conveyed their stories, including how eating with the hands honors the cook, the food and the earth. As stews of greens simmered, audiences asked questions about odd uses of local fruits now in season, including processing dates into vinegar or syrup. The scent of curry and mixed spices lingered. Everyone was well fed; everything was delicious. In the end, it was just the way a kitchen should be. n
Heart of the Harvest This tiny treasure of a cookbook was recently published by Iskashitaa and funded by the Pima Arts Council. It contains cross-cultural cooking and canning tips, as well as global recipes making using of local ingredients. To purchase this little gem for $13, go to Iskashitaa.org.
Cookbook Excerpt: Rwandan Grapefruit Marmalade (recipe by Venantie Uwitonze, Rwandan refugee) Yields 8 ½ pints
Ingredients: 4 3 2 3 2 1
lbs grapefruit cups sugar cups water bananas tbsp of fresh lemon juice vanilla bean, seeds scraped.
Directions: 1. Peel grapefruit, removing pith, membranes and seeds 2. Place grapefruit in large pot, adding ingredients. 3. Bring to boil then lower heat to simmer for approx 45 minutes, or until thick. 4. Place in sterilized jars, following canning procedures (in cookbook).
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photo: Sue Robinson
garden Z
Frost Protection for Fall Gardens by Brandon Merchant
One of the best reasons to be a gardener in Tucson is the fact that, in Southern Arizona, we can have a garden growing all year long. Unlike other parts of the country where the ground freezes solid in the winter, Tucson winters are mild enough to grow a wide variety of cool season vegetable crops such as broccoli, lettuce, and and spinach. However, just because these crops don't mind the cool temperatures doesn't mean that we don't need to give them some protection from time to time. Mid to late November is usually the time of year we can expect to experience our first frost temperatures. Light frost occurs between 32-28 degrees. Most winter vegetable crops can handle short exposure to these temps with little to no damage; however it is at these temps where summer vegetables will die off. A hard frost occurs as temperatures dip below 28 degrees. The longer it stays below hard frost temperatures, and the lower they get, the more likely your winter vegetable garden will experience frost damage. Other weather factors such as wind, humidity and cloud cover also play an important role in how frost affects your vegetable garden. Clear, calm nights with little or no cloud cover will let warm air escape back into the atmosphere increasing the chances of frost damage. Moisture in the atmosphere holds heat which can protect your plants, while wind can help keep cool air from sinking to ground levels where your plants reside. If frost is in the forecast, you can take some basic steps that will help increase the chances your plants will make it through the night. First, a two inch layer of alfalfa hay mulch should be applied to any vegetable garden. Not only does the mulch act as a slow release fertilizer and provide a living environment for soil microbes, but the mulch also acts as a great insulator that keeps plant roots warm on chilly nights. Intensive spacing of vegetable crops will also aid in protecting plants from frost damage. A good next step is to water your garden the morning before you're expecting a frost. The water in the soil will act as an insulator absorbing
the sun's heat during the day and radiating it back at night. You can also protect your vegetables with water by lightly misting them. Misting your plants works to protect them by creating an igloo like effect that keeps temperatures above hard frost levels. You can help warm air stay close to plants by covering them at night with a sheet or frost cloth, but be sure to never use plastic. Frost cloth or frost blankets are a light material designed to keep warm air trapped against the ground where plants are growing. Frost cloth is nicer than sheets because it allows sunlight to reach the plants so they can be left on during very cold days whereas sheets need to be removed in the morning. It can also be doubled up to increase protection. Garden centers and hardware stores will often sell out of frost cloth when a freeze warning arrives, but Tucson Organic Gardeners usually keeps a good supply on hand. For frost cloth to work most effectively, it needs to cover the plants completely to the ground without touching them. You may need to construct a frame around your garden using PVC or wire fencing to keep the frost cloth from touching the tops of plants. Another effective tool for your frost protection arsenal is a strand of old Christmas lights. Christmas lights radiate heat and can act as mini heaters in your garden. Simply place strands around the garden on frosty nights. For the most part, we only need to take these precautions a few times a year, but it is nice to be prepared for the worst. Frosts can be frustrating but they actually have benefits; they limit the numbers of pest insects, kill off non-native invasive plant species, and also increase the flavor of many winter vegetable crops. So don't be discouraged if a frost is in the forecast, just be prepared. n Brandon Merchant is the proprietor of Southwest Victory Gardens. Visit his website at SouthwestVictoryGardens.com. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 45
Z food&drink
Robert Cheeke, vegan bodybuilder, speaks at the Healthy You Network Nov. 17 VegFest.
photo courtesy Healthy You Network
Healthy You Network's recently opened community center offers a variety of resources for people exploring, and already embracing, a plant-based, whole foods lifestyle.
Producing a Healthier You by Jamie Manser
As interest in the local food movement rises, more and more people are understanding the value and power of knowing where their victuals come from, how they are grown and the environmental impacts of choosing organic provisions. It is also becoming abundantly clear that our shopping choices have the ability to build stronger communities via economically supporting local growers while sustaining our own personal health. Research supports the fact that we are what we eat and the fuel we put into our bodies determines the vibrancy and longevity of our lives. But, short of hiring a nutritionist or health coach, it can be a challenging feat to understand where to begin and how to proceed. To fill that gap for the Tucson community is Healthy You Network (HYN), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that touts the benefits of a plant-based, whole foods diet; generally defined as emphasizing vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes; consuming unprocessed or minimally processed foods, and excluding all animal products while minimizing salt and sugar. Comprised of working volunteers and a board of directors, HYN was established in 2011 with a handful of people who recognized the need for outreach and education; a need to share with folks the fact that most chronic diseases are often a result of dietary decisions. The group began hosting symposiums, bringing in the who’s who advocates (scientists, athletes and medical doctors) of the plant-based diet. While the public interest was there, as evidenced by attendance at the events, HYN realized “they needed to sustain and support people inter46 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
ested in this lifestyle and be an outreach center,” said Media Relations Coordinator Jamie Roach. “They needed to establish a place for both people who were already plant-based and for those considering it.” At the end of October, that goal became a reality when HYN opened its resource center at 3913 E. Pima St. Roach said HYN will hold food demonstrations, first Saturday monthly pot lucks, along with offering lectures and a book and DVD library. The center's events will be affordable, Roach said, as “we want to reach the community at large and don’t want price to keep people away.” In that spirit, HYN is now Tucson’s – and Arizona’s – vanguard as hosts for the free VegFest on Sunday, Nov. 17. Taking place at the Hilton Tucson East, 7600 E. Broadway Blvd., VegFest brings opportunities to learn about the fitness and environmental benefits of being a plant-based, whole foods consumer. Similar events happen nationally and internationally, but this is the first of its kind in the state. VegFest runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with presentations by Caleb Torres, June E. Stevens, vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke, Milton Mills, M.D., Sunizona Family Farms and Tucson Organic Gardeners along with a Fed by Threads fashion show. It will showcase a peek into “what the whole food lifestyle looks like and tastes like,” Roach said. “It is all about the food!” n More information on HYN, its community center and VegFest is available at HealthyYouNetwork.org or by dialing (520) 275-7999.
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food&drink Z
The Bounty of Mesquite
by Dan Rylander
Most people are aware of the smokey-flavor goodness grilling with mesquite offers, but the bounty of the tree goes well beyond its wood chips in the grill. Native to our desert environment, the tree's pods are oft regarded as a yard-raking nuisance, a mess to clean up and throw away. Indigenous residents of the Sonoran Desert, however, knew differently and there is plenty of archeological evidence that shows these pods were processed and incorporated into their diet. Now this tasty and nutritious ingredient - comprised of sweet, nutty deliciousness - is coming full circle and has been re-discovered by localvores and foodies. Mesquite meal is a versatile ingredient that can be included in French toast batter, in mole, and adding it to smoothies or coffee equates to oh-my-goodness palatable delights. If you have never tried pancakes made with mesquite meal, you are missing out! You can remedy this culinary hole in your dietary life by attending the 11th Annual Mesquite Milling Pancake Fiesta on Sunday, Nov. 24. The event takes place at the Dunbar/Spring Community Orchard & Mini-Nature Park, located on the northwest corner of 11th Avenue and University Boulevard. It is presented by Desert Harvesters, with help from Watershed Management Group, and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Dunbar/Spring neighborhood, located between Stone and Main Avenues (on the east and west) and between Speedway Boulevard and Sixth Street (on the north and south), has been connecting Tucsonans with mesquite and other local wild plant foods education for eleven years now. If you are a harvester of mesquite, and need your pods ground down into its glorious flour, this is the most convenient milling event for the downtown Tucson community. This summer, as I was shaking out the limbs of healthy looking mesquites of various types so I could rain down its pods onto my battered blue tarp, I was approached by several neighbors. All were interested in what I was doing, had some inkling of what I was talking about, and asked how I got our mesquite milled and what we did with it. I asked Desert Harvesters founding member Brad Lancaster if they too had seen an up swell in interest in and participation in native plant
harvesting. Lancaster concurred. “When we started eleven years ago, only the Cascabel Hermitage Association and ourselves were offering mesquite milling. Now, about a dozen groups are.” If you are a newcomer to the wonderful offerings of mesquite, and are curious, this event provides you sampling and knowledge-gathering opportunities galore. Mesquite pancakes will be available to purchase and consume from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Calendars showing dates for harvesting, workshops on how to harvest and prepare mesquite and other native foods, a food swap, puppetry, live music, and other information will be also available in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Lancaster stresses that the event is about far more than mesquite. “The goal of Desert Harvesters was to use mesquite as bait to lure people into trying, growing, and using many more native foods. There are well over three hundred native food-bearing plants in the Sonoran Desert. Let's tap the bounty! "The idea is to expose more people to a greater diversity of juicy offerings, while also encouraging more interaction between the organizing bodies. As we strengthen our awareness, ties, and collaboration - we strengthen each other and the greater community. "And, I want to make clear that mesquite foods are not the end, they are just the beginning. From the start, but also to grow the bounty by growing these plants in our own yards, and along our neighborhood streets within water-harvesting earthworks. This way we much more richly reconnect with the ecosystem in which we live, and the many cultures and wildlife that have evolved with it, in a way that enhances our shared present and future." In addition, starting at 3 p.m. and continuing until 5 p.m. on Nov. 24, the Dunbar/Spring neighborhood will offer Porch Fest, welcoming visitors with live, local music on various porches at homes throughout the neighborhood. n Get more information at DesertHarvesters.org, DunbarSpring.org and check out Porch Fest information at Facebook.com/TucsonPorchFest. November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 49
Nowhere Man & A Whiskey Girl, Derrick & Amy Ross
Bidding a Mournful Adieu Comprehending death is always difficult for the living. We know it is coming, we’ve experienced it deeply time and again, but it is nevertheless devastating and jarring with each cherished darling whose temporal, physical existence ends. On Oct. 14, 2013, Amy Ross - the singer and pianist of Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl - died from complications of Systemic Lupus. Years of kidney dialysis, and a diagnosis that left the last few years of her life on the other side of the apex of that diagnosis, took its toll on her body. Her love, husband, and songwriting partner Derrick Ross, the duo’s guitarist, chose to join her. The music communities from Bisbee to Flagstaff are bereaved by the loss of this open-hearted, talented couple whose charm, grace and acerbic wit will be missed by those who knew and loved them. Following their deaths, friends of Amy (40) and Derrick (39) began the cathartic process of coming together to build a float in their honor for the Nov. 3 All Souls Procession. Over several weekends preceding ASP, musicians, photographers, artists and writers poured heart-broken energy into a beautiful homage to Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl. Big band letters, NMWG, were constructed to top a sixteen foot long and four foot wide float, end-capped by a piano for Amy with a guitar above it for Derrick. Spearheaded by Keli Carpenter and Taylor Bungard of The Tryst, the construction’s rapid evolution blew everyone away. Over 40 thoughtful, competent and caring hands were on deck, driven by an urgency of time and emotion, and they deftly pulled it all together. As of Oct. 27, finishing touches such as lights, balloons, flowers and the float skirt were yet to be added, but with the vision of that amazing group of creatives, it is a float that will certainly stand out gorgeously in the procession. Local musician Stuart Oliver offered this quote, from The Healing Wisdom Of Africa by Malidoma Patrice Somé, as a reflection of their passing: “Death is not a separation but a different form of communion, a higher form of connectedness with the community, providing an opportunity for even greater service.” On Nov. 23, local musicians will pay tribute to NMWG in a benefit show at Plush, 304 E. Sixth St. As of press time, the line up included: Buzz and the Soul Senders, Lonna Kelley, Dylan Charles, Dusty Buskers, Kiss the Killer and Fatigo. More details forthcoming at PlushTucson.com. 50 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | November 2013
photo by Jimi Giannatti
Z tunes
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Ashbury performs at Plush on Sat, Nov 2.
John Vanderslice performs at Hotel Congress on Mon, Nov 18.
30 Seconds To Mars performs at Rialto Theatre on Fri, Nov 29.
LIVE MUSIC 2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN Congress Street, 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com Sat 9: The LoBros Band, The Jonestown Band, Funky Bonz
AVA AMPHITHEATER at Casino Del Sol 5655 W. Valencia Rd. CasinoDelSol.com Sat 9: Heart Sat 16: Battle of the Badges
BORDERLANDS BREWING 119 E. Toole Ave. 261-8773, BorderlandsBrewing.com Fri 1: Tortolita Gutpluckers Sat 2: Mustang Corners Sun 3: Jazz Telephone Thu 7: Hank Topless Fri 8: Leila Lopez Sat 9: Shrimp Chaperone Wed 13: David Rose Thu 14: Chris Jamison Fri 15: The Determined Luddites Thu 21: Joe Stevens of Coyote Grace Fri 22: Tommy Tucker Sat 23: Buffelgrass Band Wed 27: Stefan George Fri 29: The Introverts Sat 30: Widow’s Hill
BOONDOCKS LOUNGE 3306 N. 1st Ave. 690-0991, BoondocksLounge.com Mondays: The Bryan Dean Trio Tuesdays: Lonny’s Lucky Poker Night
Thursdays: Ed Delucia Trio Sundays: Lonny’s Lucky Poker Night Fri 1: Live Music with Neon Prophet Sat 2: Equinox Sun 3: Heather Hardy & Lil’ Mama Band Fri 15: Live Music with Neon Prophet Sun 17: Last Call Girls Fri 29: The Amazing Anna Warr & The Giant Blue Band
CAFE DESTA 758 S. Stone Ave, cafedesta.com 1st Saturday: Maranga 1st and 3rd Sundays: Tango/music
CAFE PASSE 415 N. 4th Ave. 624-4411, CafePasse.com Wednesdays: Jazz Wednesday Thursdays: Songwriter Thursdays feat. Sweet Ghosts Fridays: Blues Fridays feat. Tom Walbank & Roman Barton Sherman Saturdays: Country Saturdays feat. Hank Topless Sundays: Sunday Brunch feat. Salvador Duran
CLUB CONGRESS 311 E. Congress St. 622-8848, HotelCongress.com/club Fri 1: All Souls Procession Party Sat 2: Copper and Congress, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Sun 3: Face Paint Town Mon 4: The 1975 Thu 7: Jonathan Batiste & The
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Photo courtesy of Zecatalist.com
Photo courtesy of MusicFeeds.com
Photo courtesy of PlushTucson.com
Z tunes
Stay Human Band Fri 8: 26th Annual Scooter Rally Kickoff Party Sat 9: Jonathan Batiste & The Stay Human Band Sun 10: Blitzen Trapper Tue 12: Of Montreal & Big Freedia Wed 13: Tera Melos Mon 18: John Vanderslice Mon 25: Built to Spill
CUSHING STREET BAR & RESTAURANT 198 W. Cushing St. 622-7984, CushingStreet.com Saturdays: Jazz
LA COCINA 201 N. Court Ave. 622-0351, LaCocinaTucson.com Sat 2: Oscar Fuentes Sun 3: Santa Pachita Sat 23: The Sonoran Dogs
FOX TUCSON THEATRE 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org Fri 1: An Evening with Mandy Barnett and Classic American Music Sat 2: Twist and Shout: The Definitive Beatles Experience Sun 3: Vince Gill: Chasing Rainbows Gala Tue 5: Pacific Mambo Orchestra feat Tito Puente, Jr Thu 7: Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt Fri 8: Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey Sat 9: The Piano Man: Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel and Elton John Sun 10: How Great Thou Art: The
Gospel Music of Elvis Fri 15: TPOA Battle of the Bands Sat 16: Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could Wed 20: Eddie Money Thu 21: Jim Breuer
HACIENDA DEL SOL 5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol. 2991501, HaciendaDelSol.com Sun 3: Hans Olson Sun 10: Bacon Patrol Sun 17: Black Skillet Revue Sun 24: Grams & Krieger
MONTEREY COURT 505 W. Miracle Mile. 207-2429, MontereyCourtAZ.com Fri 1: Those Beatles Guys Sat 2: Kevin Pakulis Band Sun 3: Heather Lil Mama Band with Tony & the Torpedoes and Jerome Kinsey Wed 6: Peter McLaughlin and Alvin Blaine Fri 8: Snowapple Quintet Sat 9: Gabriel Ayala Quintet Thu 21: Peter Case Fri 22: Bob Corritore & Dave Riley CD Release Party Sat 23: The Coolers Fri 29: Kiko Jacome & Stone Avenue Band
PLUSH 340 E. 6th St. 798-1298, PlushTucson.com Fri 1: Logan Greene Electric, River Man, Wallpaper Prison Sat 2: Ashbury, Another Lost Year, Elisium Tue 12: Downtown Brown, Laser Dad
Photo courtesy of FanPop.com
Heart performs at AVA Ampitheater on Sat, Nov 9.
PLAYGROUND BAR AND LOUNGE 278 E. Congress. 396-3691. PlaygroundTucson.com Tuesdays: Dinner & A Movie Wednesdays: REWIND: Old School Hip Hop Fridays: Merry Go Round :: 4 rotating DJs
RIALTO THEATRE 318 E. Congress St. 740-1000, RialtoTheatre.com Fri 1: Paul Oakenfold Sat 2: An Evening With Ryanhood Sun 3: Dance of the Dead: The Official After Party for the 24th Annual All Souls Procession Tue 5: Riff Raff Wed 6: Gramatik: Age of Reason Fall Tour 2013 Thu 7: Baauer Fri 8: Clutch Sat 9: Robert Cray Band Sun 10: Lupe Fiasco: Tutsuo and Youth Preview Tour Mon 11: Misfits Tue 12: KMFDM Thu 14: Chance the Rapper Fri 15: Relient K & Motion City Soundtrack Sat 16: Gaelic Storm Sun 17: Hopsin and Yelawolf Mon 18: John Vanderslice Fri 22: Lluvia Flamenca Mon 25: Alkaline Trio & New Found Glory Wed 27: Groundation Fri 29: Thirty Seconds to Mars Sat 30: X & The Blasters
SKY BAR 536 N. 4th Ave. 622-4300, SkyBarTucson.com Mondays: Team Trivia Tuesdays: Jazz Wednesdays: Open Mic Thursdays: Live Music
SOLAR CULTURE 31 E. Toole Ave. 884-0874, SolarCulture.org Thu 7: Geographer with Royal Bangs Wed 13: Dean Moore Thu 14: Portland Cello Project Fri 22: Andrew Jackson Jihad Tue 26: Sera Cahoone
SURLY WENCH PUB 424 N. 4th Ave., 882-0009, SurlyWenchPub.com Fri 1: Black Cherry Burlesque Tue 5: Artphag Fri 8: Blackout Sat 9: Fineline Revisited Fri 15: Muskhog CD Release Sat 16: Club Sanctuary Fri 22: Tucson Roller Derby Party Sat 23: Cleric, Brazz Tax Sat 30: Fineline Revisited
TOPAZ 657 W. St. Mary’s Rd. TopazTundra.com Thu 14: Weed, Otherly Love, Hellshovel, Prom Body, AZ77 Fri 22: Night Beats, The Resonars, Dream Sick Sat 23: Mr. Elevator and the Brain Hotel, The Freezing Hands, Katterwaul, Union Pacific November 2013 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 53
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lifeintucson Z by Andrew Brown
Left to right top to bottom: Slobby Robby We Are Ruthless BBQ; A couple of guys on South Sixth; Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby w-Kentucky Thunder; Emily in the Swindlers Halloween Fashion Show; Swindlers Halloween Fashion Show.
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