Tucson concerts fill the first weekend of fall

It’s the first full weekend of fall, which means it’s perfect weather to enjoy an outdoor concert.

Naturally, we’re looking at the AVA at Casino del Sol, Tucson’s pre-eminent outdoor concert venue.

But we can’t guarantee that you won’t sweat up a storm when the AVA hosts the Tejano Conjunto Shootout on Saturday, Sept. 28.

They have a lineup (David Farias, Jaime Deanda, Krazy Pimpz and Sunny Sauceda) that will surely get you on your feet dancing.

What we do know is the AVA: when the sun goes down and the overhead fans and cool evening breeze kick in, it’s downright pleasant.

Saturday’s concert starts at 8 p.m. at the AVA, 5655 W. Valencia Road. Tickets are $20 for the lawn, $30 for reserved seats at casinodelsol.com.

‘Cat Power Sings Dylan’ comes to the Rialto

Georgia singer-songwriter Charlyn “Chan” Marshall had an interesting offer in 2022.

Play London’s storied Royal Albert Hall.

But instead of pulling from her deep catalogue of albums dating back to the 1990s, Marshall, who performs under the name Cat Power, decided to tip her mic to one of her musical heroes.

Marshall recreated the setlist of Bob Dylan’s 1966 concert at the hall, right down to an audience member screaming “Judas!” as they did when Dylan had the audacity to plug in his guitar and go electric.

A year after that concert, Marshall released “Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert.” On Friday, Sept. 27, she brings her tour supporting that album to Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., for an all-ages show.

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The setlist includes “Visions of Johanna,” “Tell Me Momma,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Like A Rolling Stone” and other songs from that 1966 concert. Ironically, a bootleg recording of an earlier Dylan performance from Manchester, England, was labeled as being from the Royal Albert Hall show. An official record of the real concert didn’t come out until 1998, according to a story by Variety.

Friday’s concert starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $49.50-$89 through rialtotheatre.com.

Cover band brings iconic Journey hits to the Fox

In case you were not among the thousands of fans filling Chase Field in August for a triple bill of Def Leppard, Steve Miller Band and Journey, the popular Journey tribute band Journey USA will give you a taste of what you missed.

Journey USA’s lead singer Stu Saddoris is so vocally spot-on with founding lead singer Steve Perry that Perry reportedly once hired him to do vocal work on a solo project.

This is not your ordinary garage band turned tribute act; Journey USA’s members come with some enviable stage cred, including keyboard player Richard Graham, who hails from the Grammy-winning 1980s band Survivor.

Guitar player Tony Cardenas-Montana played with Great White, while drummer Mark Kelly is part of today’s Great White’s touring band. When he’s not with his Journey buddies, bass player Tommy Rojo tours with Mike Pinera, formerly of Iron Butterfly.

When the band plays Fox Tucson Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 26, expect to hear all of those great Journey hits, from the ubiquitous “Don’t Stop Believing” to the rockin’ “Any Way You Want It” to the swoonable power ballads “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways,” “Who’s Crying Now,” “Send Her My Love,” “Still They Ride” ... we could keep going.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show at 17 W. Congress St. are $35-$90 through foxtucson.com.

Ozomatli joins Tucson ‘Get Out the Vote’ event

Los Angeles Chicano rockers Ozomatli will perform at the Southern Arizona Get Out the Vote group’s rally at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Desert Diamond Casino, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road.

The rally starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are free. For details, visit ddcaz.com or soazgotv.org.