Ten cool things to do in Tucson this weekend (March 10-12)
- Updated
Tucson is full of entertainment options this weekend. Have some fun.
- Updated
As a solid music town, Tucson has seen its share of fantastic jazz musicians.
The tradition continues this Friday when trumpeter Terell Stafford performs at Crowder Hall on the UA campus. The gig is part of Arizona Jazz Week and UA Presents' 2016-17 performance season.
Stafford is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University, and founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, according to the UA Presents website.
His resume includes performing with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Benny Golson's Sextet, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Diana Krall.
Catch a master work his craft when Stafford takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. More information on the website.
- Updated
King Kong returns to theaters, big as life and twice as ugly this weekend, with enough star power that we felt he deserved a spot in this round up.
The story is similar to its predecessors (of which there are many), but cuts a few key elements, according to a review that ran in the Miami Herald.
Kong never develops a crush on leading lady Brie Larson; the crew is military and scientists, not filmmakers; there is no return to New York City, according to the review.
Does that take away from the film? Apparently not.
From the review: " 'Kong: Skull Island' is surprisingly brisk and humorous. The drama is played straight, the war allegory is thoughtful and the death of certain characters carries a sting. But the movie isn’t afraid to be sheer entertainment, too: It’s fun and nimble in a manner that’s not common to the genre."
Sounds like fun!
- Updated
Over the last 20 years, an unexpected venue south of Tucson has played host to a number of prominent folkies, blues musicians and singer/songwriters.
The Javarita Coffeehouse at the Good Shepherd United Church in Christ, 17750 S. La Cañada Drive in Sahuarita, has hosted the likes of Peter Yarrow, Guy Davis and Peter Rowan, just to name a few.
On Friday, the series will bring back Tom Russell, an accomplished musician who has made a career spinning musical tales from his time in the Southwest, from Los Angeles to El Paso.
Russell is worth the drive. His show starts at 7 p.m. More information on the Good Shepherd website.
- Updated
Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" reached the pinnacle of sci-fi nerdiness when it was transformed into a 1982 feature film starring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer.
Fans of the cult hit will get a chance to see even more this weekend as The Loft presents a final cut version with extended scene and "never-before-seen special effects" from saved archived materials.
The film will be screened Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit the Loft website.
- Updated
Serial Grillers, Tucson's favorite slasher movie-themed pizza, subs and beer joint will hold a grand opening this Friday at its new northwest location, 1970 W. River Road.
And how are they celebrating? With cheap beer. The Facebook event page is pitching $3 craft beers all day.
(Note: the photo above is of restaurant's original location at 5737 E. Speedway.)
Serial Grillers will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Updated
As a profession that deals with the written word, we are always happy to write about and participate in the 2017 Tucson Festival of Books.
The two-day event is overflowing this year with notable authors and activities for all ages:
Here is what Bill Viner, co-founder and president of the Tucson Festival of Books, had to say in this year's TFOB special section:
Meet your favorite author, participate in a book launch, go to the Character Breakfast, stop by the literary circus, visit the Tree Ring Lab, enjoy the Arroyo Café Old Pueblo live radio broadcast, wander over to Western National Parks, have a Beyond Bread sandwich, bask in 70-degree temperatures and meet 130,000 of your closest friends on the UA Mall.
The activities, exhibitors, authors and diversity at the Tucson Festival of Books are second to none. The festival volunteers have done an incredible job in putting everything in place for this year's event.
There will be panel discussions, workshops, storytelling and culinary demonstrations at 35 different venues.
It's fantastic: Every genre, from current events to sports to children to mystery, will be represented. Meet Juan Felipe Herrera, the U.S. poet laureate. There will be special events on LGBTQ and WWII topics, including the national anthem each morning at 9:15 at the USS Arizona Memorial.
The Arizona Daily Star Tent and UA Mall Tent have outstanding lineups. Foodies, check out the Monark/Sub Zero/Wolf Culinary Experience. C-SPAN will be broadcasting 10 author sessions live on BookTV from the Gallagher Theater.
Who's new: Maureen Dowd, Colson Whitehead, Michael Tolkin, James Dashner, Dava Sobel, Ibram X. Kendi, Sam Polk, Charles Johnson, Julissa Arce, Álvaro Enrique, Julian Guthrie, William Finnegan, Evan Thomas, Ron Fournier, Lillian Faderman, Brunonia Barry, Joe Conason and Andrés Reséndez.
Who's back: John Sandford, T.C. Boyle, Lisa See, David Maraniss, J.A. Jance, Luis Urrea, T. Jefferson Parker, Alice Hoffman, John Nichols, Grace Lin, Douglas Brinkley, Cara Black, Thomas Perry, Christina Baker Kline, Craig Johnson, Maggie Stiefvater and Andrew Gross.
Create your author schedule: Pull out the author/children/science schedules in this guide, go to the festival website, tucsonfestivalofbooks.org, or download our app and review the subjects and authors. Create and save your own schedule.
Highlight your first, second and third choices in each time slot. Mix and match subjects, genres, solo presentations, panels and workshops. Go to at least one panel each day where you like the subject, but know nothing about the authors. Don't forget the young-adult or children's authors - they are some of the best presenters. Stroll the mall, do a crossword puzzle, visit the exhibitors, enjoy some music, check out Science City and the new Teen Plaza.
As Mark Twain said: 'Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: This is the ideal life.'
- Updated
Tucson's largest gathering of Native American food, crafts and dancing returns this Saturday and Sunday to the San Xavier Mission del Bac area, 1950 W. San Xavier Road.
Star reporter Kathleen Allen has the details:
Powwows are massive celebrations of the Indian culture.
There are dance competitions with performers decked out in gorgeous traditional costumes, with drum circles competing and providing the soundtrack for the dancers, inter-tribal dancing, hoop dancing, and even two-step dancing.
Powwows are rich, thrilling celebrations of the American Indian. When non-Indians are invited to watch, they gain a deeper understanding of the culture and are kind of awe struck.
Bring your camera — photos are allowed, unless the announcer says otherwise.
Grand entries — a procession of all the tribes involved — are at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and at noon on Sunday. Catch gourd dancing at 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Entry is $7, with discounts. Parking is $3 a vehicle.
Check the Wa:k Pow Wow Facebook page for more information.
- Updated
Dos Cabezas WineWorks has been a staple of the Southern Arizona wine scene since 1995.
But only in recent years has the winery started dabbling in canning. That's right. Wine in a can.
Dos Cabezas is following a trend of canning wine in the US, according to a 2016 article in the Washington Post.
This weekend, they will celebrate their new twist with a Pink Can Release Party, which will include live music, a barbecue plate and a photo booth, in addition to cans of wine for purchase.
Tickets are $45 per person.
More information can be found on the Facebook event page.
- Updated
More than 270 Fords of all models will be on display as part of the 2017 Fords on Fourth event this Sunday.
Head to North Fourth Avenue any time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to check out the vehicles lining the streets. The event is hosted by the Southern Arizona Mustang Club.
Also featured: Live music from The Tucson and District Pipeband.
The event benefits the Blake Foundation and other local charities.
- Updated
...or maybe just a nice piece of furniture or restaurant equipment at the historic venue's annual yard sale this Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. and running until 1 p.m.
According to the Facebook event page, the sale will also have antiques, audio/visual equipment and other unique pieces with live music on the plaza and treats from Syrian Sweets.
As a solid music town, Tucson has seen its share of fantastic jazz musicians.
The tradition continues this Friday when trumpeter Terell Stafford performs at Crowder Hall on the UA campus. The gig is part of Arizona Jazz Week and UA Presents' 2016-17 performance season.
Stafford is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University, and founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, according to the UA Presents website.
His resume includes performing with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Benny Golson's Sextet, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Diana Krall.
Catch a master work his craft when Stafford takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. More information on the website.
King Kong returns to theaters, big as life and twice as ugly this weekend, with enough star power that we felt he deserved a spot in this round up.
The story is similar to its predecessors (of which there are many), but cuts a few key elements, according to a review that ran in the Miami Herald.
Kong never develops a crush on leading lady Brie Larson; the crew is military and scientists, not filmmakers; there is no return to New York City, according to the review.
Does that take away from the film? Apparently not.
From the review: " 'Kong: Skull Island' is surprisingly brisk and humorous. The drama is played straight, the war allegory is thoughtful and the death of certain characters carries a sting. But the movie isn’t afraid to be sheer entertainment, too: It’s fun and nimble in a manner that’s not common to the genre."
Sounds like fun!
Over the last 20 years, an unexpected venue south of Tucson has played host to a number of prominent folkies, blues musicians and singer/songwriters.
The Javarita Coffeehouse at the Good Shepherd United Church in Christ, 17750 S. La Cañada Drive in Sahuarita, has hosted the likes of Peter Yarrow, Guy Davis and Peter Rowan, just to name a few.
On Friday, the series will bring back Tom Russell, an accomplished musician who has made a career spinning musical tales from his time in the Southwest, from Los Angeles to El Paso.
Russell is worth the drive. His show starts at 7 p.m. More information on the Good Shepherd website.
Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" reached the pinnacle of sci-fi nerdiness when it was transformed into a 1982 feature film starring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer.
Fans of the cult hit will get a chance to see even more this weekend as The Loft presents a final cut version with extended scene and "never-before-seen special effects" from saved archived materials.
The film will be screened Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit the Loft website.
Serial Grillers, Tucson's favorite slasher movie-themed pizza, subs and beer joint will hold a grand opening this Friday at its new northwest location, 1970 W. River Road.
And how are they celebrating? With cheap beer. The Facebook event page is pitching $3 craft beers all day.
(Note: the photo above is of restaurant's original location at 5737 E. Speedway.)
Serial Grillers will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
As a profession that deals with the written word, we are always happy to write about and participate in the 2017 Tucson Festival of Books.
The two-day event is overflowing this year with notable authors and activities for all ages:
Here is what Bill Viner, co-founder and president of the Tucson Festival of Books, had to say in this year's TFOB special section:
Meet your favorite author, participate in a book launch, go to the Character Breakfast, stop by the literary circus, visit the Tree Ring Lab, enjoy the Arroyo Café Old Pueblo live radio broadcast, wander over to Western National Parks, have a Beyond Bread sandwich, bask in 70-degree temperatures and meet 130,000 of your closest friends on the UA Mall.
The activities, exhibitors, authors and diversity at the Tucson Festival of Books are second to none. The festival volunteers have done an incredible job in putting everything in place for this year's event.
There will be panel discussions, workshops, storytelling and culinary demonstrations at 35 different venues.
It's fantastic: Every genre, from current events to sports to children to mystery, will be represented. Meet Juan Felipe Herrera, the U.S. poet laureate. There will be special events on LGBTQ and WWII topics, including the national anthem each morning at 9:15 at the USS Arizona Memorial.
The Arizona Daily Star Tent and UA Mall Tent have outstanding lineups. Foodies, check out the Monark/Sub Zero/Wolf Culinary Experience. C-SPAN will be broadcasting 10 author sessions live on BookTV from the Gallagher Theater.
Who's new: Maureen Dowd, Colson Whitehead, Michael Tolkin, James Dashner, Dava Sobel, Ibram X. Kendi, Sam Polk, Charles Johnson, Julissa Arce, Álvaro Enrique, Julian Guthrie, William Finnegan, Evan Thomas, Ron Fournier, Lillian Faderman, Brunonia Barry, Joe Conason and Andrés Reséndez.
Who's back: John Sandford, T.C. Boyle, Lisa See, David Maraniss, J.A. Jance, Luis Urrea, T. Jefferson Parker, Alice Hoffman, John Nichols, Grace Lin, Douglas Brinkley, Cara Black, Thomas Perry, Christina Baker Kline, Craig Johnson, Maggie Stiefvater and Andrew Gross.
Create your author schedule: Pull out the author/children/science schedules in this guide, go to the festival website, tucsonfestivalofbooks.org, or download our app and review the subjects and authors. Create and save your own schedule.
Highlight your first, second and third choices in each time slot. Mix and match subjects, genres, solo presentations, panels and workshops. Go to at least one panel each day where you like the subject, but know nothing about the authors. Don't forget the young-adult or children's authors - they are some of the best presenters. Stroll the mall, do a crossword puzzle, visit the exhibitors, enjoy some music, check out Science City and the new Teen Plaza.
As Mark Twain said: 'Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: This is the ideal life.'
Tucson's largest gathering of Native American food, crafts and dancing returns this Saturday and Sunday to the San Xavier Mission del Bac area, 1950 W. San Xavier Road.
Star reporter Kathleen Allen has the details:
Powwows are massive celebrations of the Indian culture.
There are dance competitions with performers decked out in gorgeous traditional costumes, with drum circles competing and providing the soundtrack for the dancers, inter-tribal dancing, hoop dancing, and even two-step dancing.
Powwows are rich, thrilling celebrations of the American Indian. When non-Indians are invited to watch, they gain a deeper understanding of the culture and are kind of awe struck.
Bring your camera — photos are allowed, unless the announcer says otherwise.
Grand entries — a procession of all the tribes involved — are at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and at noon on Sunday. Catch gourd dancing at 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Entry is $7, with discounts. Parking is $3 a vehicle.
Check the Wa:k Pow Wow Facebook page for more information.
Dos Cabezas WineWorks has been a staple of the Southern Arizona wine scene since 1995.
But only in recent years has the winery started dabbling in canning. That's right. Wine in a can.
Dos Cabezas is following a trend of canning wine in the US, according to a 2016 article in the Washington Post.
This weekend, they will celebrate their new twist with a Pink Can Release Party, which will include live music, a barbecue plate and a photo booth, in addition to cans of wine for purchase.
Tickets are $45 per person.
More information can be found on the Facebook event page.
More than 270 Fords of all models will be on display as part of the 2017 Fords on Fourth event this Sunday.
Head to North Fourth Avenue any time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to check out the vehicles lining the streets. The event is hosted by the Southern Arizona Mustang Club.
Also featured: Live music from The Tucson and District Pipeband.
The event benefits the Blake Foundation and other local charities.
...or maybe just a nice piece of furniture or restaurant equipment at the historic venue's annual yard sale this Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. and running until 1 p.m.
According to the Facebook event page, the sale will also have antiques, audio/visual equipment and other unique pieces with live music on the plaza and treats from Syrian Sweets.
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