City Week

Female Art-Powerment

Mujeres, Mujeres, Mujeres (Women, Women, Women)

1 to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, through Saturday, May 28

Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery and Workshop

218 E. Sixth St.

881-5335

Women, women, women is the theme of Raices Taller's latest show.

The Latino-focused art gallery is known for its political exhibitions—but Mujeres, Mujeres, Mujeres delves into another realm: the proliferation of women in art.

The show is open to exclusively female artists, and each artist could submit either one or two works to be featured. The seventh-annual Mujeres, Mujeres, Mujeres features more than 65 artists.

One of these female artists is Mary Theresa Dietz, an oil-stick artist.

Only 5 percent of the artists with work in New York's Museum of Modern Art are female, said Dietz, "which is silly, because there might be even more women artists than men artists now. (The Raices Taller exhibition) has only women artists in it, and it's because women have been slighted in the art world," Dietz said.

She has been involved with the co-op gallery for years and submitted two pieces to be in the show. Her work isn't feminist or politically motivated—nor is most of the other work in the show.

One of Dietz's works is an oil-stick creation of a fairy cat, a common creation of hers. The other is a vibrant work with seven cats called "The Crowder."

"We have all kinds of members in Raices. It's not all just Hispanic artists, but it started to help Hispanic artists," she said. "There are a lot of paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints in the show. It's a good variety."

All works are on sale to help Raices Taller and the artists. Viewing of the exhibition is free. —J.W.


Little Snapshots

Picturing Tucson cell-phone photography exhibition

Opening reception: 2 p.m., Saturday, May 21

Exhibit on display 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily, through Tuesday, July 12

Tohono Chul Park Gallery

7366 N. Paseo del Norte

742-6455

It's changing the way we see Tucson—and it's right at our fingertips.

Tohono Chul Park exhibit curator Vicki Donkersley wants to show how cell phones are leading the way in the evolution of photography—here in our back yard.

"It's amazing what these little toys and devices can do to record the passing times and events," she said. "Cell-phone cameras offer an intriguing view, and many of the photos on display have very moving inspirations behind them."

Donkersley has compiled 206 photographs submitted by Tucsonans.

"Many people expect poor-quality, pixilated images—but, wow!" she said. "Cell phones provide convenient new means of capturing the walking, driving, real-life encounters of the everyday Joes. ... It's incredible what all the apps and filters can achieve."

Submissions depict everything from sporting events to local architecture to other "quirky" things, according to Donkersley.

"This exhibit shines some positive light on our city, and really taught me just how much people here enjoy being out in the parks and participating in recreational activities," she said. "All of the photos will be showcased on the walls bulletin-board style."

The occasion has been eye-opening to Donkersley personally.

"I've never been much of a photographer; I could never get around all those buttons," she said, "but phones have become a major photography tool, and they've suddenly got me looking all around."

The park admission fee is $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and active military; and $3 for children 5 to 12 years old. —T.K.


Comedy Done Write

The Comedy Genius of Mark Twain

7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m., Sunday, through Saturday, June 4

Comedy Playhouse and School

3620 N. First Ave.

260-6442

Bruce Bieszki was brewing up ways to get people into the Comedy Playhouse last October, when University of Arizona football mania was at its height. His solution was spoken readings of an author oft tied to the Halloween season—Edgar Allan Poe.

After the success of the concert-style performances featuring Poe's written work, Bieszki had a thought.

"If Edgar Allan Poe could be staged, why not humorous writers?" he said. "I've been thinking about offering the Tucson audience a different kind of entertainment, and through my life, I've read a lot of work by a lot of funny people. Just because their works are old doesn't mean they're not funny."

So Bieszki decided that in between the runs of his mainstage plays, he'd start a series of un-memorized, staged readings of funny people's writings, called "The Comedy Genius of ..." series.

"We just celebrated our year anniversary last month, and people are learning what to expect when walking through my doors," he said.

Bieszki decided to start the series with Mark Twain, because he's a noticeable name, and someone whose writings audiences will enjoy.

"I don't have to worry about props or sets. (The actors) don't have to worry about memorizing. It's a different way to enjoy Mark Twain," he said. "Normally, you sit and read Mark Twain, but now you get to listen and hear Mark Twain."

The Mark Twain comedy-genius performances will last three weeks "to give the series a good solid foundation." Later in the series, other humorists—such as Robert Benchley, O. Henry and Edna Ferber—will get two-week runs.

Tickets are $12, with discounts. —J.W.


Bluegrass Gone Green

Bluegrass Benefit Bash

4 p.m., Saturday, May 21

Trees Please! Family Garden

901 E. 12th St.

471-3746

Trees Please! is a Tucson nonprofit organization straying from the norm. It could be said the organization is returning to its roots.

The organization's director, Adrian Marks, hopes to embrace collaborative efforts in the form of communal gardening and environmental restoration.

"This is not just about the environment and trees, though," Marks said. "This is about our community and people aspiring to come together and help. We want to create symbiosis ... a holistic approach."

Trees Please! is inviting Tucsonans to a grand opening, if you will, to showcase progress on its family garden and farm this Saturday, with an evening of bluegrass music from the Desert Bluegrass Association, community involvement and fun.

"This is entirely family-oriented, as we want every person to have some level of enjoyment," Marks said. "There will be all sorts of free organic foods, from fresh greens to mesquite breads. We'll have canvases for art, pottery wheels and a fire pit. We are hoping the night will promote cooperation and collaboration—not just an audience, but an audience that interacts.

"We only have two rules at the farm: Everyone has to cooperate, and whenever the crop you planted on the land is ready, you have to share with the others using the garden."

Marks said the organization and its volunteers just began removing chunks of asphalt form the property, an effort he said pays tribute to the original value and intention of the land. Marks hopes to cultivate meaningful relationships within his community—and some good food in the process.

"If you come, come ready to interact, 'cuz you can't just watch," Marks added.

Admission is $5, money that will go toward supporting the organization. —T.K.