Homegrown Talent
Panel discussion: "The Creative Process"
5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 24
Tucson Museum of Art
140 N. Main Ave.
624-2333;
The only things that seem to sprout readily from Tucson's arid soil—other than weeds after a monsoon storm—are talented artists, like Raymond Pettibon.
"Tucson's been very fortunate to produce some major artists," said Meredith Hayes, director of public relations for the Tucson Museum of Art. "He is one of many ... who count Tucson as home."
Pettibon's art—much of which consists of post-modern ink sketches accompanied by brazen text—has earned him appreciation on an international level. His affiliation with the '80s/'90s punk scene (including art for his older brother's band, Black Flag) has earned him cult status, too. To list his many awards and exhibitions would take up the entirety of this article.
His art is currently on display at the TMA, as well as in London, where he has been working on an installation for the Liverpool Biennial, one of the largest international festivals of contemporary art.
This Friday, Pettibon will return to his hometown, and will be joined by two other well-respected figures in the art world: Ed Hamilton, of the Hamilton Press, and Douglas Nielsen, a professor at UA School of Dance. The panel discussion is being held in conjunction with a show of Nielsen's art, Thanks for Being With Us: Contemporary Art From the Douglas Nielsen Collection.
"This is all part of a series of public programs that are offered in conjunction with exhibitions we have on view," explained Hayes. "It's a way people can learn more about the art and the whole process behind it. Each (artist) brings something special to the table and will be discussing the creative process from their own unique perspective."
Admission to the museum is free for TMA members; $8 for nonmembers; $6 for seniors; and $3 for students. —E.A.
Musical Revelations
Sonic Orphans screening with live music
8 p.m., next Thursday, Sept. 30
The Screening Room
127 E. Congress St.
882-0204;
www.billdaniel.net/new/news/sonicorphans
Exposing underground art to the masses seems like a paradox of sorts, but Bill Daniel manages to do just that—in an effort to shake things up.
Bill Daniel has been dubbed by many as a film tramp, a nomad traveling the country in a faulty orange van to offer mobile art shows. He has spent the majority of his life participating in and reporting on subcultures across the United States. One of his efforts is an independent film titled Who Is Bozo Texino?, which focused on boxcar graffiti—a project for which he rode in boxcars off and on for 15 years, with little more than his camera.
"It's like visual poetry," said Carl Hanni, an organizer of next Thursday's Screening Room event (and a Tucson Weekly contributor).
Daniel's latest presentation is Sonic Orphans, a 16-millimeter film that collects candid, often previously unseen footage from musicians—including The Beatles, The Huns, Sonic Youth and Johnny Cash—between 1965 and 1987. The film includes shorts shot by Daniel himself, as well as other film from various venues.
"Bill is an awesome guy," said Hanni. "He travels three months a year showing different film programs. It's always something different every year; I don't think he ever repeats himself."
For the Tucson showing, Daniel is teaming up with local musician Chris Black, who will be performing music and improvising during the short silent film Jazz Loft.
The films will be shown raw and unedited, and are unavailable on video and the Internet. Don't miss the chance to experience this musical uniqueness while you have the opportunity.
Admission is $7, with doors opening at 8 p.m., and the show starting at 8:30 p.m. —E.A.
Beyond Bar Trivia
Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz
8 p.m., Tuesdays, starting Sept. 28
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St.
622-8848;
At almost any drinking establishment, it's common to stumble upon an intellectual debate, a drinking game or a politically charged conversation.
There clearly is a connection between alcohol and the exchange of facts and opinions—and an event is coming to Tucson that will formalize this pairing: Geeks Who Drink, which puts on pub quizzes in seven different states, will be debuting next Tuesday at Hotel Congress.
John Dicker, a co-founder of Geeks Who Drink, explained: "One person locally e-mailed me in the spring and just said, 'Please come to Tucson.' It was someone who was transplanted from Washington, D.C., and was bummed that there were no pub quizzes in the whole city. And it is kind of weird, because in Albuquerque ... we run five nights a week."
Geeks Who Drink's events are hardly normal, boring trivia quizzes. Each quiz is run by a quizmaster who conducts individuals or teams of up to six people through eight rounds of eight questions. Each round has a specific theme, which can be somewhat normal—or entirely off the wall. The rounds also have different formats; some include audio, TV and movie clips, or a picture handout.
Better yet, the event is free, and sign-up is as simple as showing up, writing your team name on a piece of paper and turning it in after each round.
The Geeks Who Drink website provides a space where, according to Dicker, "The event lives on online as well as live." A recap of the quiz is blogged the next day—and there are also features where you can suggest a round or dispute the accuracy of a question. —E.B.
Powhaus + Robots!
Robot 2010: A Dance Odyssey
8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept 25
Rialto Theatre
318 E. Congress St.
740-1000;
The organizers of an annual art event—seven years running—have joined forces with a new hot-shit events crew that has been throwing themed dress-up variety shows at the Rialto Theatre.
Yes, something big, creative and hugely awesome is about to happen.
The organizers of the Robot Exchange, which was held at Club Congress last year, have teamed up with Powhaus Productions for this year's event, at the Rialto. Most aspects of the event will remain unchanged: Submissions of robot art will be accepted until the day of the show, and anyone can submit. There will be both live music and DJs.
Jared "Kitty Katt" McKinley, of Powhaus Productions, explained: "This year, we are helping them (the Robot Exchange organizers), and our formulas are slightly different. ... We are going to set up the art in the lobby. Everyone is highly encouraged to bring art. The more art, the better."
The Powhaus spin will include performance pieces and a number of different musical acts, including El Hanko Dinero, The Runaway Five and various DJs playing retro-future music.
"Our formula is a little different than what most people usually do in that I don't like anything to go on too long, because people get bored," said McKinley. "That is one of the basic formulas; when we started Powhaus, I realized people get bored really easily. I'm a music guy, and I'll go to a show, and even with my favorite band, I will get bored just standing there. I need change."
As always, dressing up is highly encouraged. Admission is $3; e-mail robotexchange@gmail.com to reserve a spot for your robot art. —E.B.
