Thursday 27
ALL SPACED OUT. Evil zombies and an inter-galactic cheerleader princess duke it out for the spotlight this weekend.
Attack of the Killer Space Zombies, one of a pair of one-acts in the latest Horror Unspeakable show, is the story of high school nerd Juliet (Tamaura Sutton), who discovers that her school is being invaded by evil zombies from outer space. Her belief earns her the scorn of popular girl Shelley (Kendra Webb)--until preppies and jocks start turning up dead.
Aided by a dumb but lovable football player, Bernard (Wylie Herman), smart and plucky Carrie (Taren Carter Hines), and a gang of Space Warriors from Venus led by Iris, the inter-galactic cheerleader princess (Cristina Ulloa), Juliet must fight to save her school and planet from the evil machinations of Lord Norman (James MacEachron), all before graduation and Seth's (Jay Middleton) weekend party that could become the "kegger of death."
Add to Killer Space Zombies a production called Snapshots and you're in for one entertaining evening.
Snapshots is a modern drama about Diane (Amanda Karam) and Joe (Jay Middleton), a young couple whose wedding provides the battlefield for their friends Jules (Kelli Ging), Lance (James MacEachron) and Erik (Wylie Herman) to thresh out personal issues, fears and hopes about their own love lives.
Erik, whose father (voiced by Nat Cassidy) has recently been incarcerated for ATM fraud, seeks desperately to find a stable existence in an unstable world openly embraced by his loving but sexually deviant girlfriend, Pat (Morgen Stevens Garmon). Lance and Melody (Tamaura Sutton) are in the first flush of new love, but Jules takes it upon herself to test the strength of their relationship, despite the strain her actions are placing on the close friendship between herself and chronically depressed Josie (Jessica Hudson). Everything builds to the revelation that sometimes the deepest secrets to be found in a circle of friends, are not necessarily the secrets everyone suspects.
Whew!
Check out the show tonight through Saturday at the Cabaret Theater in the Temple of Music and Art downtown. All shows are at 8 p.m. and all tickets are a mere 6 bucks. For more information and reservations, call 884-4967.
HURRY, HURRY, HURRY. P.T. Barnum's career as a showman began as the result of exhibiting an unusual black woman. Can you name her?
Joice Heth, who claimed to be George Washington's 161-year-old nurse.
What were the names of the seven Ringling brothers?
Al, Otto, Alf T., Charles, John, Gus and Henry.
What was the first exotic animal in Ringling Bros.?
A blind hyena they acquired in 1886.
This blurb is a plug for what traveling spectacle?
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which bills itself as The Greatest Show On Earth.
The 132nd edition is an "uncut, unedited, unbelievable" show. Immerse yourself in a fun-filled three-ring realm of turbo-charged thrills and gravity-defying grace with David Larible, The Prince of Laughter, Sara The Tiger Whisperer, Circus Siren Sylvia Zerbini and the Empress of Equilibrium Mei Ling.
With more than 200 human and animal performers in a state-of-the-art spectacle, this year's show allows you to experience nonstop excitement, awe-inspiring thrills and Clown Alley hilarity.
You can even start your circus adventure early by coming one hour before performance time to meet the clowns and animals up close.
The circus is in town tonight through Sunday at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church St. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Matinee performances are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10.25 to $28. Tickets are available at the TCC box office and from your favorite rip-off, Ticketmaster, 321-1000. For many, many more circus trivia questions, visit www.feldentertainment.com.
GOT SEX? If you've been getting some, and you haven't been very careful about how you've been getting it, you'll want to read on.
"It" is sex, and sex can and does kill. Among the worst of the not-so-groovy side effects of unprotected sex, of course, is the grim reality of AIDS.
New medicines are helping people infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Problem is, about a third of those with the virus don't know it.
Take the Test, Take Control is the slogan for the eighth annual National HIV Testing Day. It's all about taking responsibility for your health.
Today, the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation and Pima County Health Department are offering extended hours and walk-in availability.
The anonymous test uses an oral swab. No needles are involved. The test includes a brief questionnaire about risk behaviors and takes about 15 minutes. You'll need to schedule an appointment to return to the clinic for the results.
Testing is available today from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 375 S. Euclid Ave.; from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Theresa Lee Clinic, 332 S. Freeway; and from 9 p.m. to midnight at Escalando Nightclub, 4696 S. 12th Ave. Bilingual counselors will be available at each site. For more information, call 628-7223.
Friday 28
ONE FOR THE AGES. Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) composed Elijah in 1847 and it immediately rose to prominence on the concert stage.
It's still very popular--not surprising considering that many hailed the work as a rival to Handel's Messiah.
Like Messiah, Elijah is cast in eight scenes; the central character, Elijah, is a splendid and imposing character, a powerful representative of prophecy in the Old Testament. He is a keen orator for theocracy in opposition to the kings who did not escape many truly human stresses.
Find out what the enduring fuss is all about as UA Summer Chorus and Orchestra presents Elijah in a performance conducted by Josef Knott, with soloists Charles Roe, baritone, as Elijah; Vanessa Salaz, soprano; Wanda Brister, alto; and Grayson Hirst, tenor.
Two performances--7:30 tonight and 3 p.m. Sunday--will take place in Crowder Hall, Music Building, UA Campus--at the south end of the pedestrian underpass on Speedway Boulevard east of Park Avenue. Tickets are $12 general; $10 UA employees and seniors; and $6 students. Tickets are available at the UA Fine Arts Box Office 621-1162. For more information, call 621-2998 or visit www.arts.arizona.edu/music.
Saturday 29
A WORK OF HEART. Navajo rug lovers know about Ason Yellowhair.
The weaver is famous for producing some of the largest and most beautiful rugs ever woven.
Her Bird and Flower Pictorial Rug, c. 1940, is one of her largest and most exciting rugs. More than 131 square feet, the creation is on display at Arizona State Museum during a program celebrating Navajo weaving.
Learn about museum-quality display and care methods you can use at home and bring examples from your own textile collection to the event, Workshop Preservation, Care and Display of Navajo Rugs.
Museum professionals will answer all your questions during the workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. today at ASM north, gallery 102. Cost is $25 per person. For more information, call 626-8381, visit www.statemuseum.arizona.edu or email darlene@al.arizona.edu.
Sunday 30
LAND OF ENCHANTMENT. Cool off this evening as you glide through a desert wonderland.
Stroll through the Valley of the Moon, a collection of pathways, caverns, pools and gardens tucked in the center of Tucson. It's a fantasyland built of rock and imagination.
The Arizona and National Historic District is at 2544 E. Allen Road, just north of Prince Road and east of Tucson Boulevard. The magic is from 7 to 9 p.m. today. It's a free event, but donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, call 323-1331.
Monday 1
GOING MAD. Fifty cents could go a long way to entertaining the kids this summer.
If you're sick and tired of the brats mumbling that "there's nothing to do," head over to El Con Mall today and let them find some good reads.
The Monsoon Madness Used Book Sale--OK, this year maybe it's a dumb name--boasts more than 75,000 used books all priced $1.99 or less.
But check this out: Kids' books (and paperbacks) are just 49 cents. Oh, and more than 500 books will be offered free.
Stock up for summer reading at blowout prices from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and every day through July 14 at El Con Mall. For more information, call 245-1787.
Tuesday 2
TAKE A WALK. Listen to stories about the movers and shakers of early Tucson in a twilight walking tour of the Old Pueblo.
The Mansions of Main Street starts at 6 p.m. today at the northwest corner of Main and Alameda. An optional no-host dinner with margaritas follows at 8 p.m. The tour costs $13. For reservations and more information, call 881-1638.
Wednesday 3
AUCTION FOR AN ARTIST. Many of the contributing artists in a special fundraiser were students, friends and colleagues of Lou Bernal, the late Pima Community College photography department head.
They're pitching in during A Bouquet for Lou Bernal, a benefit silent auction that opens today. The event will unite the diverse work of more than 40 local artists.
During the time Bernal was a photography instructor, he received international recognition for his work inspired by his Chicano heritage and life in the barrio. Shortly after his death in 1993, efforts were started to recognize the contribution he made to Tucson and Pima Community College. The auction fundraiser benefits the Louis Carlos Bernal Dedication Project, which will exhibit and preserve Bernal's work.
A retrospective exhibition in October will culminate on Nov. 2 with a reception and dedication ceremony to re-name the college gallery in his honor.
A Bouquet for Lou Bernal is at The Drawing Studio, 214 N. Fourth Ave. The show runs through Aug. 10 during regular gallery hours, noon until 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. An opening reception is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. July 13. For more information, call 620-0947.
