City Week


Thursday 5

GUATEMALAN NIGHTMARE. Jesus Tecu Osario was 11 years old when he witnessed the 1982 Rio Negro massacres in Guatemala by a government-sanctioned death squad. More than 170 Mayan women and children were killed in the bloodbath. Tecu Osario and 17 other young survivors were later forced into servitude as domestics for the killers.

He later began to speak out against the mass murder. His efforts to seek justice for such atrocities earned him the Reebok Human Rights Award in 1996.

Today he's also a strong critic of the World Bank, which has facilitated dam projects across the globe. These projects often result in the forced relocation of entire villages, with devastating impacts upon residents. One of those former villages was Rio Negro.

Tonight, Jesus Tecu Osorio discusses the World Bank and other human rights crises from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the First Christian Church, 740 E. Speedway Blvd. For information, call 792-3487.

HIGH GRADE. Skyrocketing gas prices got you down? Get a tune-up at Oil/Change, now on display in the HazMat Gallery.

The high-grade exhibit features pieces by Phil Goldstein, Heather Green, Kelly Morris, Temre Stanchfield and Jessi Wood. All are working in oils, and all come from a background of intense technique and mastery of the medium's traditions. They've used this format to detail dramatic, sometimes unsettling interpretations of their personal landscapes and other people.

Oil/Change runs through October 28 in the HazMat Gallery, 191 E. Toole Ave. Hours are 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 624-5019 for details.


Friday 6

FIGARO LIVES. The Arizona Opera opens its season with The Barber of Seville.

In this production of Gioacchino Rossini's masterpiece, we find Count Almaviva up against the hourglass: Rosina will soon be the bride of the aged Dr. Bartolo. But alas, it's the Count who truly hankers for her hand. That's when Figaro, the town barber, hatches a plan. In disguise, the Count proceeds to fool Bartolo, and commences wooing his beloved. But darned if the masquerade doesn't quickly turn to mayhem when the Count's identity is exposed.

What comes next? Find out for yourself in this masterful production, adorned with garments from the Sante Fe Opera costume shop, and traditional 18th-century sets from the Utah Opera.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow, and 2 p.m. Sunday in the TCC Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets range from $21 to $69, and are available at Robinsons-May and Wherehouse Music, or by calling 321-1000.

ULTRA GLIDE. Yearn for a Latin interlude, a ballroom breakout, or a swing soirée? Then slap on your dancing spats and head down to the Arizona Ballroom Company for a night of hot hoofin'.

These highly coordinated folks strut their stuff every Friday and Saturday night, and they gladly receive all comers, from greenhorns to polished pros.

They also provide classes for beginners on Friday and intermediates on Saturday. The classes run from 8 to 8:30 p.m., followed by open dancing until 11 p.m. Admission is $6. For details, call 290-2990.


Saturday 7

DESERT DIP. Immerse yourself in desert culture and help send young Indians to college at the October Traditional Native American Indian Feast.

Held in the shadows of beautiful San Xavier del Bac, the unique gathering commences with a private mission tour from the Native American perspective, followed by a silent auction. Then comes the chow, traditional foods ranging from wild rice and salmon to buffalo, Indian tamales, veggies, cholla bud salad and prickly pear juice.

Proceeds benefit a scholarship program sponsored by the Reservation Creation Women's Circle Charitable Trust.

The event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the San Xavier Plaza. Single advance tickets are $40, and $70 for couples. Tickets are $50 and $90 at the door. For reservations and other information, call 622-4900.

URBAN JUNGLE. Reid Park Zoo becomes Tucson's wildest party spot for ZOOcson 2000.

This yearly fund-raising gala will include food from 30 Tucson restaurants, and auctions for everything from jewelry to a Jacuzzi. There will also be live music and a celebrity quiz show. Proceeds support the zoo's programs, attractions and services.

The party is hosted by the Tucson Zoological Society, and always draws around 2,000 folks, says Neal Hicks, society executive director. "Where else can you participate in an auction with such 'zoonique' items as a beach party inside an elephant exhibit, or a chance to become a zookeeper for a day?

"The theme for this year's event is otters," Hicks adds, "and our message is you otter be there."

ZOOcson is at 5:30 p.m. in the Reid Park Zoo, on 22nd Street east of Country Club Road. Advance tickets are $40, and are available by calling 881-4753. Tickets cost $50 at the door.

TALKING TRADE. Learn more about the pivotal North American Free Trade Agreement with NAFTA: Who Wins, Who Loses?

Hosted by the Tucson Institute, the lecture features Eugene Maratta, who boasts a background in economics, political science and work with the White House Office of Management and Budget. He brings this multi-discipline perspective to the free trade pact between the United States, Canada and Mexico. And he raises a slew of crucial questions about the treaty's economic and social impacts.

The free discussion runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Tucson-Pima Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. For information, call 742-7361.


Sunday 8

CLASSIC STRAINS. Musical scales are traveled in fine fashion with the Lorenzo Trio.

Presented by the UA Faculty Artist Series, the four-year-old ensemble includes Tannis Gibson on piano, Mark Rush on violin and Nancy Green on cello. They'll tackle several well-known piano trios, including works by Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Bloch.

Show time is 3 p.m. in the UA Crowder Hall, on the south end of the pedestrian underpass at Speedway Boulevard and Park Avenue. Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors and UA employees, $4 for students, and are available by calling 621-1162.

VINO AND VERVE. Enjoy beautiful moves and fine wine at "Dance Gallery: An Evening of Wine, Hors d'oeuvres and Dance," benefiting NEW ARTiculations.

The gathering will feature performances by this fine modern-dance troupe, include new works by Tammy Rosen, Leigh Ann Rangel and guest artist Tommy Parlon.

Funds are being raised to match a pair of grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Tucson/Pima Arts Council, to finance this season's guest artist series.

Party time is 6 p.m. in Heart-Five, 61 E. Congress St. Advance tickets are $20, $15 for students and seniors, and are available at Heart-Five, or by calling 882-0318. Tickets are $20 and $25 at the door.

BIG BRASS. Leo Rich Theater gets brassy with a rousing performance by the Tucson Concert Band.

Directed by Herschel Kreloff, the band opens its new season with performances of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Folk Song Suite and the John Philip Sousa march Hands across the Sea. Longtime former Tucson Pops Orchestra conductor Charles "Bucky" Steele will lead the band for these two selections.

Other works will include a group of contemporary English band pieces, Sammy Nestico's Salute to American Jazz, and The Strategic Air Command by Clifton Williams.

The free performance is at 2 p.m. in the TCC Leo Rich Theater, 260 S. Church Ave. For information, call 529-2807.@Calendar dates:Monday 9

BALD IS BEAUTIFUL. Ever see a bald eagle nest in a cactus? Did you know that bald eagles go through six recognizable plumage changes on their way to adulthood? Are you concerned about their legal status as a threatened species?

If the answer is no, then forget it--you're dismissed.

But if you want to learn more about this noble bird, catch Bald Eagles of the Rio Yaqui: Everything You've Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask.

Hosted by the Tucson Audubon Society, the lecture features Robert Mesta, an ornithologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mesta is also helping coordinate the Bald Eagle Nest Watch Program in Arizona, and is part of a national team crafting a rule to remove bald eagles from the list of endangered and threatened species.

He'll highlight a small, relatively unknown population of bald eagles breeding along the Rio Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico. Mesta will also provide an update on the bald eagle in North America, and a short session on bald eagle plumage identification.

The free lecture is at 7 p.m. in University Medical Center's DuVal Auditorium, 1501 N. Campbell Ave. Call 629-0510 for details.


Tuesday 10

BLUES BLAST. The fall season gets lowdown as Blues Week 2000 kicks into high gear.

This year's powerful roster of growlers, groaners and grizzled gut-wrenchers includes everyone from Tucson slide-guitar master Gerry Glombecki and folk-blues ace Stefan George, to Sam Taylor and Heather Hardy, Bob Margolin, Tony and the Torpedoes, King Tone Blues and Andrew Jr. Boy Jones.

The action kicks off today when Kearney, Grams and Bronsdon perform a brown-bagger from noon to 1 p.m. on the Tucson-Pima Main Library plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave.

Tomorrow, Lazy Ed and the Strato-Loungers perform from noon to 1 p.m. at the same spot, and Stefan George plays from noon to 1 p.m. in the UMC DuVal Auditorium, 1501 N. Campbell Ave.

Performances continue through the weekend, with full-blown concerts in Reid Park and at Boondocks Lounge, 3306 N. First Ave. All events are free. For times, locations and other information, call 887-0672.


Wednesday 11

DIG THIS. Recent archaeological excavations for a Flagstaff-area road site have revealed a fascinating ancient narrative.

It's the story of the region's prehistoric settlers, their connection to the modern Hopi tribe, and how they were affected by the 11th-century eruption of Sunset Crater. All these clues were discovered by Desert Archaeology, in a dig contracted by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The dig will be detailed with a video, In the Shadow of the Volcano: Prehistoric Life in Northern Arizona, followed by a lecture by Mark Elson, principal investigator at the site.

The free lecture runs from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Pima Community College Center for the Arts Recital Hall, 2202 W. Anklam Road. Call 881-2244 for information.

MEXICAN VERSE. One of Mexico's leading poets will read from his work tonight, in a gathering hosted by the UA Poetry Center.

Albert Blanco ranks among Mexico's most outstanding--and most prolific--writers, boasting more than 20 books, including nine collections of verse, six poetry translations and five children's books. And his list of awards is likewise broad, from the Carlos Pellicer Poetry Award and the José Fuentes Mares national prize to a Fulbright fellowship. He is the author of Dawn of the Senses: Selected Poems of Alberto Blanco, published by City Lights in 1995.

A resident of Mexico City, Blanco is also well known as a musician and visual artist.

He'll read at 8 p.m. in the UA Modern Languages auditorium, east of the administration building on the main mall. Admission is free. For details, call 321-7760.