City Week

A Spiritual Maze

Earth Walk 2011

6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday, June 21

Hi Corbett Field, 3400 E. Camino Campestre

790-1757, www.earthwalk2011.org

Get lost in an actual labyrinth during Earth Walk 2011—and support local causes while doing so.

Earth Walk is intended to support the victims of the Jan. 8 shooting—and victims of violence around the world. The highlight is a labyrinth made out of straw, currently being designed by people from around the world. It will be constructed by volunteers, staff and participants, and could set a record as the biggest labyrinth created in one day.

Earth Walk 2011 is hosted by Planet Coexist, an organization attempting to bring harmony between people and the Earth.

Tzadik Rosenberg-Greenberg, director of Planet Coexist and Earth Walk, is experiencing excitement in anticipation of the event, he said.

"We're expecting to fill the stadium," Rosenberg-Greenberg said.

The theory behind the labyrinth walk is that it will allow people to experience self-discovery and community connection. Along with the approximately 200-foot labyrinth walk, the event will include yoga, live music, food and activities for kids. Rosenberg-Greenberg wants all attendees to find a spiritual connection.

"We want this to bring people alive," Rosenberg-Greenberg said.

The walk begins with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.—but if you want to get started earlier on this summer solstice day, no problem. The day's events begin with yoga at 6 a.m., and end with a VIP party at 9 p.m., with various other activities spread out through the day.

The fee to walk the labyrinth is $25 (unless you already registered and therefore received a discount). There is a $5 charge for non-walkers.

"My goal is that everyone gets a little closer to themselves, a little closer to the world, and a little closer to the community," Rosenberg-Greenberg said. —K.C.


An Irish Good Time

Bloomsday Celebration

7 to 10 p.m., Thursday, June 16

Manning House, 450 W. Paseo Redondo

747-0059

Irish pride does not need to be confined to St. Patrick's Day; in fact, on June 16, you can celebrate the culture of Ireland and a masterpiece by one of its greatest writers at the Tucson Bloomsday Celebration.

On June 16, Bloomsday gatherings take place in honor of author James Joyce and his Ulysses in cities like Dublin, New York and Boston.

The book's plot draws parallels between the mythical adventures of the ancient Greek hero Odysseus, and the more ordinary events of June 16, 1904, in the life of protagonist Leopold Bloom.

"It was considered groundbreaking in its day," said Margaret Regan (who, we should note, is the Tucson Weekly's arts editor) about Ulysses, "because of the freakiness about sexuality, use of language and human consciousness."

Part of the novel's allure is the clarity and accuracy with which it captures Dublin at the turn of the century.

"It's like a photograph of Dublin," said Winnie Nanna, the event organizer and representative of the Irish American Gaelic Society of Tucson. "We used to say that if the city burned down, you could build it back up again from his book."

People are also drawn to the romantic side of the story: Joyce chose June 16 as the setting in tribute to his wife, whom he met on June 16, 1904.

Bloomsday is a chance to experience the Irish tradition of oral storytelling, as kept alive by Tucson's Irish community. Along with Irish step dance, bagpipes and readings from the book, Regan will read from her "Arizona Irish" project, which draws cultural and historical links between Ireland and Arizona through the lives of Irish immigrants and Irish Americans.

Admission is $5 for adults; children are admitted for free. —A.F.


Telling a New Tale

All Together Theatre's The Three Bad Wolves

1 p.m., Sunday, through July 31

Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway Blvd.

327-4242, www.livetheatreworkshop.org

Few things are as fun as a fairy tale—and All Together Theatre is continuing its tradition of putting a new spin on these old classics.

All Together Theatre, the youth arm of Live Theatre Workshop, specializes in family-friendly productions incorporating people of all ages. Working with local writers and musicians, they take classic fairy-tale stories and tweak them for a modern audience—often with a different moral.

All Together's last show of the 2010-2011 season is a new take on that classic fairy-tale villain: the wolf. The Three Bad Wolves is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, The Boy Who Cried Wolf and The Three Little Pigs, all rolled into one—and this time, the story is told from the perspective of the wolves.

"In this story, the wolves are getting a chance: They're the protagonists," said All Together's Michael Martinez, who wrote all of the music and lyrics for The Three Bad Wolves.

While putting the performance together, the creators were mindful of the theme they wanted to promote: Everyone has a different perspective, so do not rely too much on one version of events.

"We really want to encourage kids to think about things from both sides," said Martinez, "There are two sides to every story."

Space is limited, however, and performances fill up fast—so reservations are a must.

"It's really sad when you have to turn down a group of 4-year-olds because there's not enough room," said Martinez, who recommends calling at least two weeks in advance.

Tickets are $5 to $8, with cash discounts available. The show runs 50 minutes, with no intermission. —A.F.


Flower Power

"Mad About Orchids" exhibit

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily through Sunday, Sept. 25

Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way

326-9686;, www.tucsonbotanical.org

Summer has sprung in the Old West, and the folks at the Tucson Botanical Gardens are celebrating with the "Mad About Orchids" exhibit.

The orchids' vibrant colors will steal your attention. With yellow, pink and green orchids screaming for your interest, you may become consumed by the beauty.

Darlene Buhrow, director of marketing and communications for the gardens, said the orchid exhibit will be in the tropical garden area. Buhrow said the transition to the "Mad About Orchids" exhibit was fairly easy.

"Orchids do well in humid climates, and we already have a few in the tropical garden," Buhrow said.

The idea for "Mad About Orchids" was derived from the England orchid craze in the Victorian era. Orchids were imported to England, and the English people went "mad" for them. Buhrow hopes Tucsonans will feel the same amazement.

"We wanted to regenerate excitement about orchids," Buhrow said.

The orchid exhibit will explain how to grow orchids in Tucson, and what orchids are used for. Tucson Botanical Gardens will also offer a "Mad About Orchids" class on July 10 and Aug. 14, where attendees can learn the basics of caring for orchids in a hands-on environment.

"The class will show people how to grow orchids at their home, and which ones can survive outside," Buhrow said.

The exhibit is included in the gardens' normal admission fee: $8 for adults ages 13 and older; $4 for children age 4 to 12; and free for kids 3 and younger. The class will cost $20, or $15 for members, and preregistration is requested.

"This exhibit is a great outing for all ages to come see the gardens, and see something different in Tucson," Buhrow said. —K.C.