School is about over, but don’t put aside your three R’s just yet.
We’re actually going to redefine them for this weekend only: It’s not reading, (w)riting and (a)rithmetic — it’s reggae, rumba and R&B.
- Roots reggae blended with a little Hawaiian punch: This is quite possibly the first time that Hawaiian-born The Green has ventured to our desert oasis, and on Tuesday, May 22, the group joins Raging Fyah and Iya Terra for a show at The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave. The Green is touring on its 2017 album “Marching Orders,” which Huffington Post called “superbly delicious reggae.” The band fuses roots reggae with pop, rock, R&B and traditional Hawaiian music to create “a scrumptious collection of reggae melodies flavored with a variety of tasteful flavors. And the vocal harmonies are nonpareil, projecting a sonic accord difficult to find. … It’s lit and yazum at the same time!” Tickets for the all-ages show are $20 general admission or $80 for the VIP/meet-and-greet experience, through ticketfly.com.
- Pulsating rumba and spicy flamenco: Gipsy Kings are spicing things up with some red-hot flamenco on Friday, May 18, at Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. When it comes to all things flamenco, rumba and salsa, Gipsy Kings with 20 million albums sold, a Grammy on their bookshelf and legions of devoted fans around the country is one of those bands that demands your attention and attendance. The band, featuring Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo, is set to go on stage at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $49 to $112 through foxtucsontheatre.ticketforce.com.
- Kicking it old school times R&B two: The AVA at Casino del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road, is dishing up a pair of old-school R&B shows this week, starting with the boy band Boys II Men on Sunday, May 20. The trio takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $25. On Wednesday, May 23, funk-masters Tower of Power pull in to celebrate their 50th anniversary with a show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 unless you want the VIP meet-and-greet package ($120). Get tickets at tickets.casinodelsol.com
