Ten cool things to do in Tucson this weekend (May 4-May 7)
- Updated
Food, fun and plenty to drink this weekend in Tucson.
- Updated
Murder, deception, greed for and corruption of power. What’s not to like about Shakespeare’s “Macbeth?”
The Rogue Theatre’s current production serves up plenty of violence and a cast that embraces the language.
And the production, directed by Matt Bowdren, features some oh-wow moments:
- The witches, in grotesque masks, prowl animalistically around the stage, spewing ominous predictions about Macbeth. Mist engulfs the space, thunder rumbles, lightning threatens. Holly Griffith, Claire Hancock and Grace Kirkpatrick make it clear: These witches are not to be trifled with. They captured us and did not let go.
- The stage became almost electric when David Weynad’s King Duncan appeared. He infused the character with so much intent, so much nuance and so much life that we immediately regretted that Macbeth was going to kill him so early in the play.
- Shakespeare’s gorgeous language glided from the mouths of the actors. They understood what they were saying and how to say it — not always a given when actors perform works by The Bard.
That last, however, is also what we found lacking in the production: Many played the language and not the characters. We longed for more personality, something beyond the language that would help us know and care about these characters. As a result, there was a flatness to the April 29 opening performance.
That isn’t to say this is a bad production — it isn’t. It is a fine one. But we have seen what The Rogue is capable of; we just wish it had been so much more.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 14; there’s are additional 2 p.m. Saturday matinees on May 6 and 13 at The Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd. in the Historic Y. Tickets are $35. TheRogueTheatre.org or 551-2053.
- Kathleen Allen
- Updated
The Agave Heritage Festival is already well underway, but there is still plenty to do this weekend, including:
— A 2017 MezCrawl through downtown Thursday that includes samples and pairings at Good Oak Bar, Penca, Borderlands Brewing, Charro Steak and others.
— A separate mezcal and chocolate pairing at Maynard's Market and Kitchen on Thursday, followed by an Agave Heritage dinner on Friday.
— A 2017 Agave Heritage Fest at Hotel Congress. The info according to the Facebook event page: "The nationally acclaimed Agave Fest is the tequila+ party of the year! Immerse yourself in this annual celebration with over 40 tastes of tequilas, mezcals, sotols & bacanoras. The Hotel Congress plaza will come alive with a cocktail competition, education, live demonstrations, music and much more! The party starts at 6pm with an Agave 101 by Master Mezalier Sergio Inurrigario so don’t miss out!"
— An Agave Heritage Brunch at the Carriage House on Sunday.
The full list of events can be found here.
- Updated
Tucson's pop-up Cactus Drive-In will present "Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark" at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, 4100 S. Palo Verde Road, Thursday, starting at 7:30 p.m.
"Raiders" might just be the best film in the Indiana Jones franchise, as it follows Harrison Ford's iconic character from the ancient cities of Peru to Nepal to Cairo.
Ticket information can be found on the Facebook event page.
- Updated
Local music expert, freelance journalist and former Star reporter Eric Swedlund knows Tucson talent when he sees it.
He writes about it for the Tucson Weekly and national magazines of note.
He is also the brains behind SwedeFest, a 3-day showcase this year, featuring a healthy helping of local acts.
According to this year's Facebook event page, this year's schedule goes as follows:
Friday, May 5 at Che's Lounge, with DJ Stinky Brown and Smash Lames
Saturday, May 6 at Che's Lounge, with Fourkiller Flats and Greyhound Soul
Sunday, May 7 at Surly Wench Pub, with Dos Muñoz, Fort Worth, Hot Beers, Underbutt & The Sideboobs, BIG MERIDOX & DJ Alias, and THE PANGS!
- Updated
- Updated
Ten thousand people, 120 musicians, five stages, and 32 years of history.
And it’s all free.
The 32nd annual Tucson Folk Festival is slated for Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7. For over 10 hours each day, concert-goers will have the chance to listen to traditional folk, country, acoustic rock and roll, jazz, and bluegrass music across five different outdoor stages in downtown Tucson.
“It’s one of the best kept secrets in Tucson,” Jim Lipson, festival coordinator, says. “There’s literally something for everyone in acoustic music.”
The festival has five stages clustered within a few downtown blocks. With the exception of five-minute set changes between musicians, the festival offers constant music.
Lipson recalls a conversation he once had with Alex Flores, who plays saxophone for the Ronstadt Generations. Flores referred to the festival as “more than just a gig.”
“Alex had this big smile,” Lipson says. “Alex says, ‘The festival is a celebration of music. It’s so much more than playing a 20-minute set.’”
In the beginning
The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association began the Folk Festival in 1986.
At first, the organization was just a bunch of people playing music together in different kitchens. The TKMA moniker made sense.
“At some point, there was enough critical mass to put out a festival,” Lipson says. “We knew so many wonderful people who play folk music — maybe 30 or 40 people at the time.”
After that first folk festival, the number of musicians who wanted to play the event kept climbing.
Ten thousand people are expected to attend the festival this year.
The music
Nearly one-third of the musicians who perform at the Folk Festival have played the event before. But the festival is set up differently each year and it’s rare that someone would actually play the same stage. And, oddly enough, the main stage doesn’t always host the main act.
“We have so many acts — a lot of people to get excited about,” Lipson says. “You’re going to see performers who you don’t know. But they’ll wow the audience, even though no one had ever heard of them before.”
The TKMA board of directors decides who the performers will be each year. The members actively attend other festivals and pore over YouTube videos to find potential musicians.
“We give so many people the opportunity to perform,” Lipson says. “It’s an opportunity for people to express themselves as artists. Some people aren’t looking to make money and play every week; they just love to play. The festival brings people out of their basements and bedrooms and welcomes them to come out and perform.”
Each year, the folk festival features headliners from the national and the local scenes. This year, Saturday’s national headliners are Billy Jonas and the Black Lillies.
Billy Jonas hails from Asheville, North Carolina. Lipson says he’s the only headliner who has been invited to headline again. This year, he will also perform at the children’s show on Sunday afternoon.
From Knoxville, Tennessee, the Black Lillies play a mix of acoustic and electric country rock.
Lipson says that not many Tucsonans know of the Black Lillies. “We like to bring in musicians that people don’t know about. It just wows them,” he says.
Ryanhood is set to be the local headliner on Sunday night.
Ryan Green, the duo’s guitarist and mandolin player, describes Ryanhood’s sound as upbeat folk rock.
“Some people say it’s a modern day Simon & Garfunkel,” Green says. “I think that’s a flattering analogy.”
A few years ago, Ryanhood played a show at Plush on Fourth Avenue, which is now Flycatcher. Representatives of TKMA happened to be at the show and invited them to play at the folk festival that year. The duo has now played at the festival four years in a row.
“I love the folk festival, but I was skeptical at first,” Green says. “I thought that so many stages going on at once might thin out the audiences, but that’s just not the case. There’s plenty of music and plenty of audience.”
Cameron Hood, Ryanhood’s lead vocalist, says this favorite part of the festival is that it’s accessible for fans.
“It’s easy to go out and participate,” Hood says. “The festival has that casual element to it that makes Tucson, Tucson.”
This year marks Ryanhood’s first year to headline. Hood calls it an honor.
“Since we first became part of the TKMA family, they’ve championed us. It’s been such a gift that has helped us grow all over the country,” he says.
“Jim Lipson was especially really excited and generous toward us,” he says. “Headlining feels like the right next step for us.”
New stage
The Folk Festival usually has a stage in the courtyard of the Old Pima County Courthouse — but not this year.
Because the courthouse is under renovation, TKMA is moving that stage to the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum.
“We thought we would have one less stage this year,” Lipson says. But after looking around the area for a new spot for a stage, TKMA ventured into the Presidio San Agustin.
“You could walk by and never know the stage was there,” Lipson says. The performance area is set to hold nearly 300 people.
“We expect it to be hopping. We expect lots of dancing and plenty of room to move,” he says, adding that there will be a beer garden at the new stage, in addition to at one of the two stages at the Tucson Museum of Art.
The courthouse’s renovation should be completed next year. Depending on how well the stage in the Presidio San Agustin goes, the folk festival might have a sixth stage in 2018.
It’s free
All that music and it doesn’t cost to indulge.
Since the festival is all outdoors and not at a set venue, logistically, it’s nearly impossible to charge admission fees.
“You can’t really charge people to walk into a public park,” Lipson says. “But we love that it’s outside and spread out — you don’t have to walk more than a block to get to any stage.”
With the exception of the three headliners, none of the musicians are paid to play at the festival.
“There’s just something really beautiful about it,” Lipson says. “It’s an equal, even exchange. They’re playing it for free and you’re seeing it for free. It’s part of the vibe that makes this a beautiful festival.”
— Gloria Knott
Special to the Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Free comic books will be available at comic shops across the city, including Heroes & Villains, Fantasy Comics, R-Galaxy and Charlie's Comics this Saturday, May 6.
Many of the shops will be hosting local artists, who will provide sketches for the kids, so bring them along.
Visit the Facebook pages linked above for specific details at each location.
- Updated
If you enjoy local metal, hard rock and saving kittens, this may be the purr-fect event for you.
Club XS, 5851 E. Speedway, is holding a benefit concert for the Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary this Saturday, with nine bands taking the stage for $8.
The event begins at 5 p.m.
The bands are as follows:
- Updated
The University of Arizona bookstore, 1209 E. University Blvd, has recruited popular children's author and illustrator Adam Rex to share his latest titles in honor of Children's Book Week.
Rex is a UA grad, whose book "Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich" became a New York Times best seller.
The bookstore will also have crafts, songs and free posters and activities.
- Updated
It will be a great weekend for funky beer fans this Saturday and Sunday, at Tap & Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave.
The craft beer house is bringing back its annual Where the Wild Things Pour event, with two days of sour beers on tap.
Here are the details according to the Facebook event page:
Sour Fest Day 1!
Saturday, May 6th
11AM - Guided Tasting with Peter Bouckaert, New Belgium Brewing (tickets required, limited to 40 people)
https://www.facebook.com/events/171233636731545/
3PM - Bottle Tasting and Book signing w/ Peter Bouckaert
ALL DAY 12pm-12am - 15+ Taps of Sours from:
Almanac - Grand Cru White
Anderson Valley - Barrel-Aged GT Gose
Arizona Wilderness - Woolsey Wit
Avery -Bourbon Barrel Aged Apricot Sour
Cascade - Blueberry Sour 2016
Funkwerks - Lunimoso
Goose Island - Halia
High Water - Le Petit Diablotin
Historic - One Chance Fancy
Iron John's - Beast of Flanders
Modern Times - Symetric Orchestra
New Belgium - 5 total for Guided tasting! French Oak Sour Saison, Imperial Coffee Sour Stout, La Folie, NBB Love Felix & NBB Love Blackberry Oscar!
Odell - Flemish Giant
Oud Beersel Oude Vieux Lambiek
Prairie - Funky Gold w/ Citra
Rodenbach - Grand Cru
On Day 2:
Sour Fest Day 2!
Sunday, May 7th 12pm - 4pm
Bottle Tasting featuring:
Sour Beers and Sour Ciders from:
Arizona Wilderness + Jester King - The Stuffing
Council - Broken Wand
Finn River Ciders - Barrel Berry Sour & Chimacum Kriek
Firestone Walker Barrelworks - 2016 Krieky Bones
Goose Island - 2013 Juliet
Green Flash Cellar 3 - Occulus Sauvage
Hanssens 2015 Oude Kriek
Hermitage - Wild Blackberry American Sour
Historic - Vintage Sixteen
Odell -Friek
Oyster River Cider - Hobokken Station
Santa Fe - 2015 Single Barrel
Uinta - 2016 Birthday Suit
Unity Vibration - Kombucha Pale
Murder, deception, greed for and corruption of power. What’s not to like about Shakespeare’s “Macbeth?”
The Rogue Theatre’s current production serves up plenty of violence and a cast that embraces the language.
And the production, directed by Matt Bowdren, features some oh-wow moments:
- The witches, in grotesque masks, prowl animalistically around the stage, spewing ominous predictions about Macbeth. Mist engulfs the space, thunder rumbles, lightning threatens. Holly Griffith, Claire Hancock and Grace Kirkpatrick make it clear: These witches are not to be trifled with. They captured us and did not let go.
- The stage became almost electric when David Weynad’s King Duncan appeared. He infused the character with so much intent, so much nuance and so much life that we immediately regretted that Macbeth was going to kill him so early in the play.
- Shakespeare’s gorgeous language glided from the mouths of the actors. They understood what they were saying and how to say it — not always a given when actors perform works by The Bard.
That last, however, is also what we found lacking in the production: Many played the language and not the characters. We longed for more personality, something beyond the language that would help us know and care about these characters. As a result, there was a flatness to the April 29 opening performance.
That isn’t to say this is a bad production — it isn’t. It is a fine one. But we have seen what The Rogue is capable of; we just wish it had been so much more.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 14; there’s are additional 2 p.m. Saturday matinees on May 6 and 13 at The Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd. in the Historic Y. Tickets are $35. TheRogueTheatre.org or 551-2053.
- Kathleen Allen
The Agave Heritage Festival is already well underway, but there is still plenty to do this weekend, including:
— A 2017 MezCrawl through downtown Thursday that includes samples and pairings at Good Oak Bar, Penca, Borderlands Brewing, Charro Steak and others.
— A separate mezcal and chocolate pairing at Maynard's Market and Kitchen on Thursday, followed by an Agave Heritage dinner on Friday.
— A 2017 Agave Heritage Fest at Hotel Congress. The info according to the Facebook event page: "The nationally acclaimed Agave Fest is the tequila+ party of the year! Immerse yourself in this annual celebration with over 40 tastes of tequilas, mezcals, sotols & bacanoras. The Hotel Congress plaza will come alive with a cocktail competition, education, live demonstrations, music and much more! The party starts at 6pm with an Agave 101 by Master Mezalier Sergio Inurrigario so don’t miss out!"
— An Agave Heritage Brunch at the Carriage House on Sunday.
The full list of events can be found here.
Tucson's pop-up Cactus Drive-In will present "Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark" at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet, 4100 S. Palo Verde Road, Thursday, starting at 7:30 p.m.
"Raiders" might just be the best film in the Indiana Jones franchise, as it follows Harrison Ford's iconic character from the ancient cities of Peru to Nepal to Cairo.
Ticket information can be found on the Facebook event page.
Local music expert, freelance journalist and former Star reporter Eric Swedlund knows Tucson talent when he sees it.
He writes about it for the Tucson Weekly and national magazines of note.
He is also the brains behind SwedeFest, a 3-day showcase this year, featuring a healthy helping of local acts.
According to this year's Facebook event page, this year's schedule goes as follows:
Friday, May 5 at Che's Lounge, with DJ Stinky Brown and Smash Lames
Saturday, May 6 at Che's Lounge, with Fourkiller Flats and Greyhound Soul
Sunday, May 7 at Surly Wench Pub, with Dos Muñoz, Fort Worth, Hot Beers, Underbutt & The Sideboobs, BIG MERIDOX & DJ Alias, and THE PANGS!
Ten thousand people, 120 musicians, five stages, and 32 years of history.
And it’s all free.
The 32nd annual Tucson Folk Festival is slated for Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7. For over 10 hours each day, concert-goers will have the chance to listen to traditional folk, country, acoustic rock and roll, jazz, and bluegrass music across five different outdoor stages in downtown Tucson.
“It’s one of the best kept secrets in Tucson,” Jim Lipson, festival coordinator, says. “There’s literally something for everyone in acoustic music.”
The festival has five stages clustered within a few downtown blocks. With the exception of five-minute set changes between musicians, the festival offers constant music.
Lipson recalls a conversation he once had with Alex Flores, who plays saxophone for the Ronstadt Generations. Flores referred to the festival as “more than just a gig.”
“Alex had this big smile,” Lipson says. “Alex says, ‘The festival is a celebration of music. It’s so much more than playing a 20-minute set.’”
In the beginning
The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association began the Folk Festival in 1986.
At first, the organization was just a bunch of people playing music together in different kitchens. The TKMA moniker made sense.
“At some point, there was enough critical mass to put out a festival,” Lipson says. “We knew so many wonderful people who play folk music — maybe 30 or 40 people at the time.”
After that first folk festival, the number of musicians who wanted to play the event kept climbing.
Ten thousand people are expected to attend the festival this year.
The music
Nearly one-third of the musicians who perform at the Folk Festival have played the event before. But the festival is set up differently each year and it’s rare that someone would actually play the same stage. And, oddly enough, the main stage doesn’t always host the main act.
“We have so many acts — a lot of people to get excited about,” Lipson says. “You’re going to see performers who you don’t know. But they’ll wow the audience, even though no one had ever heard of them before.”
The TKMA board of directors decides who the performers will be each year. The members actively attend other festivals and pore over YouTube videos to find potential musicians.
“We give so many people the opportunity to perform,” Lipson says. “It’s an opportunity for people to express themselves as artists. Some people aren’t looking to make money and play every week; they just love to play. The festival brings people out of their basements and bedrooms and welcomes them to come out and perform.”
Each year, the folk festival features headliners from the national and the local scenes. This year, Saturday’s national headliners are Billy Jonas and the Black Lillies.
Billy Jonas hails from Asheville, North Carolina. Lipson says he’s the only headliner who has been invited to headline again. This year, he will also perform at the children’s show on Sunday afternoon.
From Knoxville, Tennessee, the Black Lillies play a mix of acoustic and electric country rock.
Lipson says that not many Tucsonans know of the Black Lillies. “We like to bring in musicians that people don’t know about. It just wows them,” he says.
Ryanhood is set to be the local headliner on Sunday night.
Ryan Green, the duo’s guitarist and mandolin player, describes Ryanhood’s sound as upbeat folk rock.
“Some people say it’s a modern day Simon & Garfunkel,” Green says. “I think that’s a flattering analogy.”
A few years ago, Ryanhood played a show at Plush on Fourth Avenue, which is now Flycatcher. Representatives of TKMA happened to be at the show and invited them to play at the folk festival that year. The duo has now played at the festival four years in a row.
“I love the folk festival, but I was skeptical at first,” Green says. “I thought that so many stages going on at once might thin out the audiences, but that’s just not the case. There’s plenty of music and plenty of audience.”
Cameron Hood, Ryanhood’s lead vocalist, says this favorite part of the festival is that it’s accessible for fans.
“It’s easy to go out and participate,” Hood says. “The festival has that casual element to it that makes Tucson, Tucson.”
This year marks Ryanhood’s first year to headline. Hood calls it an honor.
“Since we first became part of the TKMA family, they’ve championed us. It’s been such a gift that has helped us grow all over the country,” he says.
“Jim Lipson was especially really excited and generous toward us,” he says. “Headlining feels like the right next step for us.”
New stage
The Folk Festival usually has a stage in the courtyard of the Old Pima County Courthouse — but not this year.
Because the courthouse is under renovation, TKMA is moving that stage to the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum.
“We thought we would have one less stage this year,” Lipson says. But after looking around the area for a new spot for a stage, TKMA ventured into the Presidio San Agustin.
“You could walk by and never know the stage was there,” Lipson says. The performance area is set to hold nearly 300 people.
“We expect it to be hopping. We expect lots of dancing and plenty of room to move,” he says, adding that there will be a beer garden at the new stage, in addition to at one of the two stages at the Tucson Museum of Art.
The courthouse’s renovation should be completed next year. Depending on how well the stage in the Presidio San Agustin goes, the folk festival might have a sixth stage in 2018.
It’s free
All that music and it doesn’t cost to indulge.
Since the festival is all outdoors and not at a set venue, logistically, it’s nearly impossible to charge admission fees.
“You can’t really charge people to walk into a public park,” Lipson says. “But we love that it’s outside and spread out — you don’t have to walk more than a block to get to any stage.”
With the exception of the three headliners, none of the musicians are paid to play at the festival.
“There’s just something really beautiful about it,” Lipson says. “It’s an equal, even exchange. They’re playing it for free and you’re seeing it for free. It’s part of the vibe that makes this a beautiful festival.”
— Gloria Knott
Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Free comic books will be available at comic shops across the city, including Heroes & Villains, Fantasy Comics, R-Galaxy and Charlie's Comics this Saturday, May 6.
Many of the shops will be hosting local artists, who will provide sketches for the kids, so bring them along.
Visit the Facebook pages linked above for specific details at each location.
If you enjoy local metal, hard rock and saving kittens, this may be the purr-fect event for you.
Club XS, 5851 E. Speedway, is holding a benefit concert for the Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter & Sanctuary this Saturday, with nine bands taking the stage for $8.
The event begins at 5 p.m.
The bands are as follows:
The University of Arizona bookstore, 1209 E. University Blvd, has recruited popular children's author and illustrator Adam Rex to share his latest titles in honor of Children's Book Week.
Rex is a UA grad, whose book "Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich" became a New York Times best seller.
The bookstore will also have crafts, songs and free posters and activities.
It will be a great weekend for funky beer fans this Saturday and Sunday, at Tap & Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave.
The craft beer house is bringing back its annual Where the Wild Things Pour event, with two days of sour beers on tap.
Here are the details according to the Facebook event page:
Sour Fest Day 1!
Saturday, May 6th
11AM - Guided Tasting with Peter Bouckaert, New Belgium Brewing (tickets required, limited to 40 people)
https://www.facebook.com/events/171233636731545/
3PM - Bottle Tasting and Book signing w/ Peter Bouckaert
ALL DAY 12pm-12am - 15+ Taps of Sours from:
Almanac - Grand Cru White
Anderson Valley - Barrel-Aged GT Gose
Arizona Wilderness - Woolsey Wit
Avery -Bourbon Barrel Aged Apricot Sour
Cascade - Blueberry Sour 2016
Funkwerks - Lunimoso
Goose Island - Halia
High Water - Le Petit Diablotin
Historic - One Chance Fancy
Iron John's - Beast of Flanders
Modern Times - Symetric Orchestra
New Belgium - 5 total for Guided tasting! French Oak Sour Saison, Imperial Coffee Sour Stout, La Folie, NBB Love Felix & NBB Love Blackberry Oscar!
Odell - Flemish Giant
Oud Beersel Oude Vieux Lambiek
Prairie - Funky Gold w/ Citra
Rodenbach - Grand Cru
On Day 2:
Sour Fest Day 2!
Sunday, May 7th 12pm - 4pm
Bottle Tasting featuring:
Sour Beers and Sour Ciders from:
Arizona Wilderness + Jester King - The Stuffing
Council - Broken Wand
Finn River Ciders - Barrel Berry Sour & Chimacum Kriek
Firestone Walker Barrelworks - 2016 Krieky Bones
Goose Island - 2013 Juliet
Green Flash Cellar 3 - Occulus Sauvage
Hanssens 2015 Oude Kriek
Hermitage - Wild Blackberry American Sour
Historic - Vintage Sixteen
Odell -Friek
Oyster River Cider - Hobokken Station
Santa Fe - 2015 Single Barrel
Uinta - 2016 Birthday Suit
Unity Vibration - Kombucha Pale
More information
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