Thursday, November 17, 2016
The Weekly List: 29 Things To Do in Tucson in the Next 10 Days
Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo.
Pick of the Week: Slut Walk
Slut Walk: Fight rape culture, victim blaming and street harassment at the annual Slut Walk! Curious about the name? As organizers put it on their Facebook event, "In using the word 'slut,' we are not dehumanizing ourselves, but rather humanizing a label, showing the wide variety of people slut pertains to, whether embraced or prescribed to by the outside world." SlutWalk is a movement that fights sexism, classism, racism, ableism, fatphobia, homophobia and transphobia, and is sex worker inclusive. What more could we ask for out of a community event? It all goes down this Saturday, Nov. 19. The fun starts with a resource fair at the UA Women's Plaza of Honor. At 5 p.m., march down University Boulevard and down Fourth Avenue, ending at Cafe Passé (415 N. 4th Ave.) for some speakers and free food.
Food & Booze
Wobble Gobble Bar Crawl: Ever feel as though you don't have enough time to celebrate November's turkey themed festivities. Join the Tucson Holiday Bar Crawl for a fun night out on the town in celebration of Thanksgiving. Don't forget to dress up in your favorite holiday-themed costumes to participate in the holiday costume contest. 9 p.m.-midnight. Saturday, Nov. 19. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Bring money for booze.
Sweet Charity Dessert and Cocktail Challenge: Enjoy more than 40 desserts representing Tucson's creative culinary arts from local chefs. There will be cocktails, beer and wine samplings, a silent auction, merchant specials and entertainment and all proceeds go to support arts education. 6:30 PM Friday, Nov. 18. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive. $45.
Tuesday Tastings: Celebrate Thanksgiving in the booziest way possible! Tap and Bottle's Tuesday Tasting will feature Thanksgiving inspired beers. The event is open to the general public ages 21 and up. 5 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22. Tap and Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave. Bring money for booze.
Thanksgiving at Cup Cafe: Enjoy holiday specials for three days in a row leading up to the nation's favorite turkey day. The downtown restaurant will feature special menu items like Virginia eggs benedict, coffee cured Virginia ham and even a turkey dinner. Don't forget to satisfy your sweet tooth with the cafe's by-the-slice holiday pies. Nov. 24-25 Cup Cafe, 311 E. Congress St.
Performance
Ballet Tucson Opening Night Gala: Enjoy a night of fine dance from Tucson's own professional ballet company. Ballet Tucson will old it's annual opening day gala. The gala will feature a pre-performance wine and buffet reception, silent auction and a post-performance champagne reception with the cast. The company will premiere two new ballets: Spirit Garden and Perseus and Andromeda at this one-night-only event. Gala Reception at 6:30 p.m., Performance at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. $100 per person.
Estampas Porteñas: Deseos: This Argentinian tango company will take to the UA's Cenntenial Hall to present their new dance production, Deseos: Stories of Longing and Desire told through Argentine Tango and Music. The set will include 25 dancers moving to show the "heart and soul" of Argentina. The performance will also include on-stage 3D projections to take to audience across Argentina. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $20-$55.
UA Presents-Vocalocity: Experience Pitch Perfect in real life, join UA Presents as they host the a cappella group, Vocalocity. The production is brought to you by the creative mind of Deke Sharon who not only arranges and coaches on the singing show the Sing Off, but also is the music director of the cult film Pitch Perfect. Vocoalocity will bring you arrangements from every genre of music and will keep you on your toes the entire show. Don't miss out on this aca-exciting event! 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $15-$40. music, entertainment
The Sound of Music comes to Tucson: This musical classic will take to the UA's Centennial Hall for six days only presented by Broadway in Tucson in conjunction with UA Presents. The musical is under the direction of Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. times vary Nov. 29-Dec. 4 Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $19 - $100.
Boogie Stomp: Boogie Stomp is a musical experience that tells the story of the history of piano through music. This performance will feature two world famous pianists, Bob Baldori and Arthur Migliazza, covering American piano music from the end of the Civil War to today. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. $25-$55.
The Shootout at the Chaparrel is coming back to Old Tucson and is the Southwest's biggest re-enactor group event of the year, performing on the actual filming set of televisions popular "High Chaparral." There will also be a costume contest. This event is included in the Old Tucson admission. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 - Sunday, Nov. 20. Old Tucson, 201 S. Kinney Road. $10.95-$17.95. community, entertainment
Caffinated Comedy: Enjoy a night of stand-up comedy at Cafe Passé's back patio hosted by Mo Urban and guest host Rory Monserat. Grab a cup of coffee, a pastry or some alcohol at the patio bar and make sure to get some laughs in at this open mic night. Sign-up: 6 p.m., Starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 Cafe Passé, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Free, bring money for food and drinks.
An Evening with Garrison Keillor: Spend an evening with Garrison Keillor, one of Americas most renowned radio hosts and humorists, and learn about his life and success along the way. He is the host of the daily program The Writer’s Almanac and the editor of several anthologies of poetry. Keillor has also been awarded with a Grammy, ACE, and George Foster Peabody awards, the National Humanities Medal, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29. Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street. $37-$84.Community
El Tour de Tucson: This event is held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. El Tour is sponsored by Casino Del Sol Resort and is known for being a fun adventure ride for that attracts over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and worldwide. There is a mixture of novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional riders that attend each year! Check the website for the route and times. Saturday, Nov. 19. Free. community, exercise http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/el-tour-de-tucson/
Ditch your car and grab a two wheeler this Saturday, Nov. 19 and take on El Tour de Tucson. This event, held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is known for being an adventure ride that attracts more than 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities. Details at perimeterbicycling.com.
Finding Dory: Need a little cheering up? The Loft Cinema is reminding us all to “just keep swimming,” while offering up a free screening of Finding Dory—the superior “lost fish searches for its family” Pixar movie. The movie will be playing at the Highland Bowl, located on the northwest corner of Highland Avenue and Sixth Street, on Friday, Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. If you’ve got a CatCard, the popcorn is free, too. The screen will have captions and the Highland Bowl is accessible to wheelchairs. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Highland Bowl, 1224 E. Lowell St. Free.
Analog Hour: Drop your phone, your computer and your T.V., Exo Coffee Roasters and Tap and Bottle are collaborating to put together an hour of a tech-free hang out. The two downtown hangouts want to give you a time to relax in this technology-driven world. So grab a book, grab a drink and take a seat for a couple of hours and chill out. 1 - 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Exo Coffee and Tap & Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave. Bring money for drinks. drinks, community, no tech
23rd Waila Festival at Old Tucson: Old Tucson is hosting their annual celebration of southern Arizona heritage and culture, with O'odham dancers and performances by the Waila Festival Band. In addition, there will be polkas, schottisches, and mazurkas as well as booths serving native desert food dishes and a barbeque. 6pm-10pm Saturday, November 26 Old Tucson, 201 S. Kinney Road $10 per person.
Arts & Crafts Markets
Native American Month Social & Indian Craft Market: Learn about the heritage, culture and art of different Native American tribal nations at this special event held every year on Thanksgiving weekend. There will be works by artisans, demonstrations of dance and song, and activities for children. There will also be a cultural presentation from award-winning hoop dancer Cecil Manuel, Tohono O'odham and Apache nations. Noon to 5p.m. Nov. 26-Nov. 28. Sheraton Hotel & Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road. Free admission & parking.
Holiday Artisans Market: Get your gift shopping out of the way while supporting local artists when the Tucson Museum of Art hosts its annual Holiday Artisans Market. Saturday and Sunday will feature food vendors and live music by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians. Come out and enjoy beautiful art, good food and live entertainment. Bonus: Admission to the museum is free during the three-day event. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18-20. Free.
Golder Ranch Fine Arts Festival: In need of an artistic pick-me-up? Check out the Golder Ranch Fine Arts Festival. The festival will feature original work by many talented artists from around the Tucson area. Details: Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Golder Ranch Shopping Center at the Northeast corner of Oracle & Golder Ranch Roads. Free.
Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair: Holiday shopping is quickly approaching! Check out the Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair to find unique items from more than 100 vendors from all over the Southwest ranging from artists, crafters, photographers, painters, potters, jewelers and more at one of Tucson's most popular craft shows. Be sure to stop for food and refreshments from local vendors along the way. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 26 - 27. Reid Park, 3400 E. Zoo Court. Free.
Jill Cohn: This Seattle-based singer-songwriter has a voice that’d woo fans of greats like Sheryl Crow or Joni Mitchell or Emmylou Harris. Once she hooks listeners with that voice, her songs engage with stories of her life and topics ranging from lost love to spiritual growth to rescue dogs. Indeed, Cohn’s easy pop and folk-rock couples nicely with summer sunsets and candlelit dinners, as well as an easy night out at a club, but there’s some gentle wisdom and sadness in a lot of of her work. She been touring, releasing albums and earning fans, one at time, since 1999, and her tunes have been used on TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and Hawthorne. Friday, Nov. 18 at El Saguarito Mexican Food, 1763 East Prince Road. 6:30 p.m. All Ages. Free show.
Radkey: These African-American lads form Missouri are all super-smart, home-schooled, and talented as hell. And they’re also brothers—Isiah, Solomon and Dee Radkey—and punk rock acolytes who subscribe to the idea that rock ’n’ roll music should be a mind-blowing experience live, should challenge listeners, and should, well, fuck shit up. Even in the year 2016. And that’s what Radkey do and they’re a blast. Listen to the just-released single “Love Spills.” It is, hands down, the rock ’n’ roll single of the year. It shows the band has plenty of sexy glam in their raucousness, real hip-swinging sass, and there’s even a tiny classy nod to Richard Hell. Overall, singer Dee sounds like an appealing blend of Joey Ramone and Glen Danzig, and songs conjure glories of everything from T. Rex to Danzing to Motorhead to Thin Lizzy to The Ramones. They’ve released three albums since forming in 2010, each better than the last. See Radkey with rising glam-dance gender-benders The Fame Riot on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 7 p.m. At 191 Toole, 191 Toole Ave. $10-$12. All ages.
Andy Hersey and Friends: His workingman country, rock and folk is rooted in a sound that’s very Tucson, complete with Sonoran references, the occasional Spanish-sung choruses and accordion, desert rock guitars (oh those soaring Neil Young drones!) and some boot-stomp country rock that amazingly recalls ’70s Tucson greats like The Bob Meighan Band. The one-time horseshoer is a kind of modern Tucson troubadour too; he’s been kickin’ around this desert blip for years, mostly woefully overlooked—both here and nationally—but not for lack of trying. We recommend his albums highly, especially 2002’s Compañero Blanco. He sings of busted love, Mexican moonshine, favorite horses, rocky trails and he has the hard-won wisdom to calm listeners with a song like “Losing Gets Easier.” With special guests on Saturday, Nov. 19 the TCC Little Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church St. 7 p.m. All ages.
Metalachi: Parody heavy metal mariachi had to happen. Dear god, it did. Who can resist taking Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi to task, all the way down to the hilarious huapango and chesthair-exposing macho silliness? But when you hear “Crazy Train” done up with Mexican horns, flamenco guitars and violin, and a romantic mariachi-style vocal croon, and it smokes Ozzy’s original, you wonder if the tune wasn’t penned specifically to be performed this way, even if one or two of the metalachis look like Jewish guys from Jersey wearing wigs. Also, they prove just how much King Diamond stole from the luchadors. Think about that. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress. $10-$12. 21 +.
Bubba Sparxxx: This son of a school bus driver has overcome lots of things to become Bubba Sparxx the rapper. For one thing, he was a high school football star, and he’s white, tubby, and he grew up in impoverished rural Georgia along a dirt road and his closest neighbor was a half mile away. Not exactly prerequisites to rap stardom. As a kid he discovered 2 Live Crew and then West Coast gangsta, and that, ultimately, connected him to world that was far more exciting than his own. It saved him, you could say. His 2001 debut album came out from absolutely nowhere, with Timbaland at the helm, went gold, and he became the go-to slinger of the white poor south, which made him a star. He’s also a master at country rap too. A real American story. With Yelawolf and Jelly Roll on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress. $26-$29. All ages.
222: 222 is the stylishly becoming Jade Howard, who sings with a sweetly balanced blend of vulnerability and sass, and Dennis Hamlin, who is as honey-voiced as a dude can be. This American dance-y duo pulls influences from Edgar Allen Poe, sci-fi movies, and ’80s synth pop, glam, goth and punk rock, and they’ve already mastered the electronic torch song (“We’re Not Social”) while a creepy cool tune like “Baby Doll Picnic” could’ve been an Alice Cooper cut on Welcome to my Nightmare. Their elaborate and well-arranged songs detail themes of isolation, murder, and sexual power, and they sound very much like an updated version of The Nymphs, only more fun. And Chelsea Handler is a big fan. So, yeah, the whole package kicks ass. Find out for yourself on Friday, Nov. 25 at the Flycatcher, 340 E. 6th St. With Tucson’s rising Scar Eater, and Babtista. 9 p.m. 21+. Free show.
Jared & the Mill: The cinematic folk-pop of this Phoenix sextet somehow manages to breathe life into songwriting tropes that are growing tired. There’s just too many bearded folky everydudes in the musical lexicon. Singer/songwriter leader Jared Kolsar’s songwriting shows remarkable insight (“you were someone else when I was too)” and he’s blessed with a tenor that’s highly listenable in hushed passages and soaring refrains. Together since 2011, this internationally lauded band’s contemporary reference points might fall somewhere between Lord Huron and The Lumineers, but they have lots of southwestern dust on their boots. Songs like “Life We Choose” and “Keep Me Going” are immediate, but deeper listens offer longer-lasting rewards. There’s banjos, mandolins, guitars and accordions and their mellow-down moments often rely on sparse acoustics and lush vocal harmonies. In other words, pure sweetness. With Stiff & the Articles and Sur Block on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress. $5, 18+.
Pick of the Week: Slut Walk
Slut Walk: Fight rape culture, victim blaming and street harassment at the annual Slut Walk! Curious about the name? As organizers put it on their Facebook event, "In using the word 'slut,' we are not dehumanizing ourselves, but rather humanizing a label, showing the wide variety of people slut pertains to, whether embraced or prescribed to by the outside world." SlutWalk is a movement that fights sexism, classism, racism, ableism, fatphobia, homophobia and transphobia, and is sex worker inclusive. What more could we ask for out of a community event? It all goes down this Saturday, Nov. 19. The fun starts with a resource fair at the UA Women's Plaza of Honor. At 5 p.m., march down University Boulevard and down Fourth Avenue, ending at Cafe Passé (415 N. 4th Ave.) for some speakers and free food. Food & Booze
Wobble Gobble Bar Crawl: Ever feel as though you don't have enough time to celebrate November's turkey themed festivities. Join the Tucson Holiday Bar Crawl for a fun night out on the town in celebration of Thanksgiving. Don't forget to dress up in your favorite holiday-themed costumes to participate in the holiday costume contest. 9 p.m.-midnight. Saturday, Nov. 19. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Bring money for booze.
Sweet Charity Dessert and Cocktail Challenge: Enjoy more than 40 desserts representing Tucson's creative culinary arts from local chefs. There will be cocktails, beer and wine samplings, a silent auction, merchant specials and entertainment and all proceeds go to support arts education. 6:30 PM Friday, Nov. 18. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive. $45.
Tuesday Tastings: Celebrate Thanksgiving in the booziest way possible! Tap and Bottle's Tuesday Tasting will feature Thanksgiving inspired beers. The event is open to the general public ages 21 and up. 5 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22. Tap and Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave. Bring money for booze.
Thanksgiving at Cup Cafe: Enjoy holiday specials for three days in a row leading up to the nation's favorite turkey day. The downtown restaurant will feature special menu items like Virginia eggs benedict, coffee cured Virginia ham and even a turkey dinner. Don't forget to satisfy your sweet tooth with the cafe's by-the-slice holiday pies. Nov. 24-25 Cup Cafe, 311 E. Congress St.
Performance
Ballet Tucson Opening Night Gala: Enjoy a night of fine dance from Tucson's own professional ballet company. Ballet Tucson will old it's annual opening day gala. The gala will feature a pre-performance wine and buffet reception, silent auction and a post-performance champagne reception with the cast. The company will premiere two new ballets: Spirit Garden and Perseus and Andromeda at this one-night-only event. Gala Reception at 6:30 p.m., Performance at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. $100 per person.
Estampas Porteñas: Deseos: This Argentinian tango company will take to the UA's Cenntenial Hall to present their new dance production, Deseos: Stories of Longing and Desire told through Argentine Tango and Music. The set will include 25 dancers moving to show the "heart and soul" of Argentina. The performance will also include on-stage 3D projections to take to audience across Argentina. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $20-$55.
UA Presents-Vocalocity: Experience Pitch Perfect in real life, join UA Presents as they host the a cappella group, Vocalocity. The production is brought to you by the creative mind of Deke Sharon who not only arranges and coaches on the singing show the Sing Off, but also is the music director of the cult film Pitch Perfect. Vocoalocity will bring you arrangements from every genre of music and will keep you on your toes the entire show. Don't miss out on this aca-exciting event! 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $15-$40. music, entertainment
The Sound of Music comes to Tucson: This musical classic will take to the UA's Centennial Hall for six days only presented by Broadway in Tucson in conjunction with UA Presents. The musical is under the direction of Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. times vary Nov. 29-Dec. 4 Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $19 - $100.
Boogie Stomp: Boogie Stomp is a musical experience that tells the story of the history of piano through music. This performance will feature two world famous pianists, Bob Baldori and Arthur Migliazza, covering American piano music from the end of the Civil War to today. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. $25-$55.
The Shootout at the Chaparrel is coming back to Old Tucson and is the Southwest's biggest re-enactor group event of the year, performing on the actual filming set of televisions popular "High Chaparral." There will also be a costume contest. This event is included in the Old Tucson admission. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 - Sunday, Nov. 20. Old Tucson, 201 S. Kinney Road. $10.95-$17.95. community, entertainment
Caffinated Comedy: Enjoy a night of stand-up comedy at Cafe Passé's back patio hosted by Mo Urban and guest host Rory Monserat. Grab a cup of coffee, a pastry or some alcohol at the patio bar and make sure to get some laughs in at this open mic night. Sign-up: 6 p.m., Starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 Cafe Passé, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Free, bring money for food and drinks.
An Evening with Garrison Keillor: Spend an evening with Garrison Keillor, one of Americas most renowned radio hosts and humorists, and learn about his life and success along the way. He is the host of the daily program The Writer’s Almanac and the editor of several anthologies of poetry. Keillor has also been awarded with a Grammy, ACE, and George Foster Peabody awards, the National Humanities Medal, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29. Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street. $37-$84.
Community
El Tour de Tucson: This event is held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving. El Tour is sponsored by Casino Del Sol Resort and is known for being a fun adventure ride for that attracts over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and worldwide. There is a mixture of novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional riders that attend each year! Check the website for the route and times. Saturday, Nov. 19. Free. community, exercise http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/el-tour-de-tucson/Ditch your car and grab a two wheeler this Saturday, Nov. 19 and take on El Tour de Tucson. This event, held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is known for being an adventure ride that attracts more than 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities. Details at perimeterbicycling.com.
Finding Dory: Need a little cheering up? The Loft Cinema is reminding us all to “just keep swimming,” while offering up a free screening of Finding Dory—the superior “lost fish searches for its family” Pixar movie. The movie will be playing at the Highland Bowl, located on the northwest corner of Highland Avenue and Sixth Street, on Friday, Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. If you’ve got a CatCard, the popcorn is free, too. The screen will have captions and the Highland Bowl is accessible to wheelchairs. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Highland Bowl, 1224 E. Lowell St. Free.
Analog Hour: Drop your phone, your computer and your T.V., Exo Coffee Roasters and Tap and Bottle are collaborating to put together an hour of a tech-free hang out. The two downtown hangouts want to give you a time to relax in this technology-driven world. So grab a book, grab a drink and take a seat for a couple of hours and chill out. 1 - 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. Exo Coffee and Tap & Bottle, 403 N. Sixth Ave. Bring money for drinks. drinks, community, no tech
23rd Waila Festival at Old Tucson: Old Tucson is hosting their annual celebration of southern Arizona heritage and culture, with O'odham dancers and performances by the Waila Festival Band. In addition, there will be polkas, schottisches, and mazurkas as well as booths serving native desert food dishes and a barbeque. 6pm-10pm Saturday, November 26 Old Tucson, 201 S. Kinney Road $10 per person.
Arts & Crafts Markets
Native American Month Social & Indian Craft Market: Learn about the heritage, culture and art of different Native American tribal nations at this special event held every year on Thanksgiving weekend. There will be works by artisans, demonstrations of dance and song, and activities for children. There will also be a cultural presentation from award-winning hoop dancer Cecil Manuel, Tohono O'odham and Apache nations. Noon to 5p.m. Nov. 26-Nov. 28. Sheraton Hotel & Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road. Free admission & parking.
Holiday Artisans Market: Get your gift shopping out of the way while supporting local artists when the Tucson Museum of Art hosts its annual Holiday Artisans Market. Saturday and Sunday will feature food vendors and live music by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians. Come out and enjoy beautiful art, good food and live entertainment. Bonus: Admission to the museum is free during the three-day event. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18-20. Free.
Golder Ranch Fine Arts Festival: In need of an artistic pick-me-up? Check out the Golder Ranch Fine Arts Festival. The festival will feature original work by many talented artists from around the Tucson area. Details: Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Golder Ranch Shopping Center at the Northeast corner of Oracle & Golder Ranch Roads. Free.
Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair: Holiday shopping is quickly approaching! Check out the Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair to find unique items from more than 100 vendors from all over the Southwest ranging from artists, crafters, photographers, painters, potters, jewelers and more at one of Tucson's most popular craft shows. Be sure to stop for food and refreshments from local vendors along the way. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 26 - 27. Reid Park, 3400 E. Zoo Court. Free.
Music
Jesse and Joy: This Mexico City brother and sister duo blend soothing harmonies, acoustic and electric rock, and soaring soundscapes with Latin styles and traditional pop songcraft, complete with lyrics in Spanish and English. The siblings share lead vocal duties, and harmonize with aplomb and grace. They’re huge in Mexico, Spain and South America and their profile has been rising steadily stateside since their 2006 debut album. They’ve nabbed four Grammys, and the duo’s latest album, Un Besito Más, peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Latin charts earlier this year. Sunday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m. The Rialto, 318 E. Congress. $35-$150. All Ages.Jill Cohn: This Seattle-based singer-songwriter has a voice that’d woo fans of greats like Sheryl Crow or Joni Mitchell or Emmylou Harris. Once she hooks listeners with that voice, her songs engage with stories of her life and topics ranging from lost love to spiritual growth to rescue dogs. Indeed, Cohn’s easy pop and folk-rock couples nicely with summer sunsets and candlelit dinners, as well as an easy night out at a club, but there’s some gentle wisdom and sadness in a lot of of her work. She been touring, releasing albums and earning fans, one at time, since 1999, and her tunes have been used on TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and Hawthorne. Friday, Nov. 18 at El Saguarito Mexican Food, 1763 East Prince Road. 6:30 p.m. All Ages. Free show.
Radkey: These African-American lads form Missouri are all super-smart, home-schooled, and talented as hell. And they’re also brothers—Isiah, Solomon and Dee Radkey—and punk rock acolytes who subscribe to the idea that rock ’n’ roll music should be a mind-blowing experience live, should challenge listeners, and should, well, fuck shit up. Even in the year 2016. And that’s what Radkey do and they’re a blast. Listen to the just-released single “Love Spills.” It is, hands down, the rock ’n’ roll single of the year. It shows the band has plenty of sexy glam in their raucousness, real hip-swinging sass, and there’s even a tiny classy nod to Richard Hell. Overall, singer Dee sounds like an appealing blend of Joey Ramone and Glen Danzig, and songs conjure glories of everything from T. Rex to Danzing to Motorhead to Thin Lizzy to The Ramones. They’ve released three albums since forming in 2010, each better than the last. See Radkey with rising glam-dance gender-benders The Fame Riot on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 7 p.m. At 191 Toole, 191 Toole Ave. $10-$12. All ages.
Andy Hersey and Friends: His workingman country, rock and folk is rooted in a sound that’s very Tucson, complete with Sonoran references, the occasional Spanish-sung choruses and accordion, desert rock guitars (oh those soaring Neil Young drones!) and some boot-stomp country rock that amazingly recalls ’70s Tucson greats like The Bob Meighan Band. The one-time horseshoer is a kind of modern Tucson troubadour too; he’s been kickin’ around this desert blip for years, mostly woefully overlooked—both here and nationally—but not for lack of trying. We recommend his albums highly, especially 2002’s Compañero Blanco. He sings of busted love, Mexican moonshine, favorite horses, rocky trails and he has the hard-won wisdom to calm listeners with a song like “Losing Gets Easier.” With special guests on Saturday, Nov. 19 the TCC Little Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church St. 7 p.m. All ages.
Metalachi: Parody heavy metal mariachi had to happen. Dear god, it did. Who can resist taking Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi to task, all the way down to the hilarious huapango and chesthair-exposing macho silliness? But when you hear “Crazy Train” done up with Mexican horns, flamenco guitars and violin, and a romantic mariachi-style vocal croon, and it smokes Ozzy’s original, you wonder if the tune wasn’t penned specifically to be performed this way, even if one or two of the metalachis look like Jewish guys from Jersey wearing wigs. Also, they prove just how much King Diamond stole from the luchadors. Think about that. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress. $10-$12. 21 +.
Bubba Sparxxx: This son of a school bus driver has overcome lots of things to become Bubba Sparxx the rapper. For one thing, he was a high school football star, and he’s white, tubby, and he grew up in impoverished rural Georgia along a dirt road and his closest neighbor was a half mile away. Not exactly prerequisites to rap stardom. As a kid he discovered 2 Live Crew and then West Coast gangsta, and that, ultimately, connected him to world that was far more exciting than his own. It saved him, you could say. His 2001 debut album came out from absolutely nowhere, with Timbaland at the helm, went gold, and he became the go-to slinger of the white poor south, which made him a star. He’s also a master at country rap too. A real American story. With Yelawolf and Jelly Roll on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress. $26-$29. All ages.
222: 222 is the stylishly becoming Jade Howard, who sings with a sweetly balanced blend of vulnerability and sass, and Dennis Hamlin, who is as honey-voiced as a dude can be. This American dance-y duo pulls influences from Edgar Allen Poe, sci-fi movies, and ’80s synth pop, glam, goth and punk rock, and they’ve already mastered the electronic torch song (“We’re Not Social”) while a creepy cool tune like “Baby Doll Picnic” could’ve been an Alice Cooper cut on Welcome to my Nightmare. Their elaborate and well-arranged songs detail themes of isolation, murder, and sexual power, and they sound very much like an updated version of The Nymphs, only more fun. And Chelsea Handler is a big fan. So, yeah, the whole package kicks ass. Find out for yourself on Friday, Nov. 25 at the Flycatcher, 340 E. 6th St. With Tucson’s rising Scar Eater, and Babtista. 9 p.m. 21+. Free show.
Jared & the Mill: The cinematic folk-pop of this Phoenix sextet somehow manages to breathe life into songwriting tropes that are growing tired. There’s just too many bearded folky everydudes in the musical lexicon. Singer/songwriter leader Jared Kolsar’s songwriting shows remarkable insight (“you were someone else when I was too)” and he’s blessed with a tenor that’s highly listenable in hushed passages and soaring refrains. Together since 2011, this internationally lauded band’s contemporary reference points might fall somewhere between Lord Huron and The Lumineers, but they have lots of southwestern dust on their boots. Songs like “Life We Choose” and “Keep Me Going” are immediate, but deeper listens offer longer-lasting rewards. There’s banjos, mandolins, guitars and accordions and their mellow-down moments often rely on sparse acoustics and lush vocal harmonies. In other words, pure sweetness. With Stiff & the Articles and Sur Block on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress. $5, 18+.
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