The Year in Local Muisc

An (admittedly incomplete) look back at some of the significant music events during the TAMMIES voting period

May 2011

The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association presents the 26th annual Tucson Folk Festival, featuring more than 100 acts, including dozens of local performers and national headliner Tony Furtado.

Twenty-five local musicians participate in the Tucson Rock Lottery, in which they form bands by drawing names out of a hat, write songs and perform them at Plush—all in a 12-hour span. Proceeds from the event are donated to CysticLife, a social network and online resource for the cystic-fibrosis community.

After canceling a Phoenix-area show and an appearance at HoCo Fest in 2010 to protest SB 1070, Los Lobos return to Arizona to perform at the Rialto Theatre.

KFMA Day, which features performances by Sublime With Rome, Hollywood Undead, Flogging Molly, Sum 41, Black Label Society, All That Remains, Black Veil Brides and Drive A, is held at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Dan Vinik-directed documentary Flor de Muertos, most of which was filmed during Calexico's 2009 Dia de Los Muertos concert at the Rialto Theatre, screens for the first time at the Loft Cinema. The show is a sellout.

Sacred Machine Museum and Curiosity Shop celebrates its first anniversary with the Beyond the Sacred Music and Arts Festival, a two-day art and music event at the gallery and the Rialto Theatre that features performances by Blind Divine, Gabriel Sullivan and Taraf de Tucson, The Jons, Brian Lopez, Ensphere and Dead Western Plains.

Second Saturdays Downtown, the monthly downtown street festival, celebrates its first year. Performers include the Michael P. Big Band, Determined Luddites and Chillie Willie Groove.

Four of the acts that appear on the local compilation CD Can We Get Together?—Beyond the Firewall, Chorizmex, Wax 78 and the Terrifix—perform at a show called Tucson Getting Together at DV8. The CD and show are both benefits for the Tucson Together Fund for victims of the Jan. 8, 2011, shootings.

The Border Action Network spring fundraiser, featuring Rich Hopkins and the Casa Maria Band, The AmoSphere, Poi-Zen Fire Troupe, Puppet Muzik and Mariachi Herradura de Tucson, is held at Hotel Congress.

Innisfail and Easyco both reunite for a show at Plush benefiting the family of Rural/Metro firefighter Dennis Bracety, who is battling a rare and sudden onset of dermatomyositis, a cousin of muscular dystrophy.

Bricktop, The Pork Torta and Pop Gestapo perform at a benefit memorial for Petra "Boggie" Den Bogter at the Surly Wench.

The Arizona Relief Concert for Japan, at The Rock, features sets by Annabels Ashes, Leaving Holly, Warsaw, Flesh Factor, Silent Flux, Hopheads and Ryan Poulson/Drout.

Kiss and the Tells, Tom Walbank and Seashell Radio perform at Dinner and Dancing at La Cocina: A Fundraiser for Casa Libre.

Music on the Mountain, the summer music series on Mount Lemmon organized by Bonnie Vining's Live Acoustic Venue Association, or LAVA, kicks off with a performance by Chuck Wagon and the Wheelchairs.

Notable releases: The Pork Torta, Casual Living; Jamie O'Brien, Chasing Ghosts; The Distortionists, The Mark Side of the Dune; The Swigs, Johnson Family Values; Discos, Discos; Yardsale Heart, Watercolours.

June 2011

In conjunction with the release of Came on Like the Sun—a coffee-table book of vintage photos of the band put together by Doug Finical—the Sand Rubies, after 26 years, perform their farewell show at The Hut.

Matt Milner takes over hosting duties on KXCI FM 91.3's Locals Only.

Mariachi Luz de Luna, Duo Libre and Aztec dancers perform at La Cocina for the national kickoff for the Tequila Party, a Latino get-out-the-vote movement meant to counteract the Tea Party.

Following an extended hiatus, Tesoro returns to perform as co-headliners with Spirit Familia at Plush.

A decade after their most-recent album, La Cerca releases Rock 'n' Roll to the Rescue.

The digital-only album The Good Sam Compilation, benefiting Sam Abate, the victim of a hit-and-run, is released. It features 27 songs by local artists including Forrest Fallows, Long Live the Smoking Gun, and Logan Greene and the Bricks.

Jamming for Jessyka, a benefit show for car-accident victim Jessyka Murray featuring live performances by JT Reno, Tony Williams, Fancy Hats and others, takes place at The Rock.

Saddle City Band veteran Ricky Dean Pegram, who is suffering from what he calls "a rare brain tumor called a meningioma, which creates a perplexed look on doctors' faces," releases a career-spanning CD, The Best of Ricky Dean—It Ain't Easy. The CD-release party, which doubles as a benefit for the Tucson Artists and Musicians Healthcare Alliance, or TAMHA, features performances by Second Nature, Whole Lotta Zep, Time Pilots and others.

Run-On Sunshine releases its debut album, Memory Game, only on cassette.

The Concert to Aid Victims of the Southern Arizona Fires, featuring performances by the Bryan Dean Trio, Cinder Bridge and the Dave Owens Band, among others, is held at the C-Note Lounge.

Cats and Jammers, a benefit show for Last Resort/Tucson's Maine Coon Cat Emergency Fund that includes performances by the Cochise County All-Stars, Al Perry, and Gary Love and Anna Warr, takes place at Boondocks Lounge.

Veteran local bass player Gerry Ptak dies.

Notable releases: The Missing Parts, Sueños; Acorn Bcorn, 3 Songs + 3 Songs; Provocative Whites, Sugar Plum Kerosene.

July 2011

Arizona Lotus Corp.'s Second Annual Red, White and Boom, at the Pima County Fairgrounds, features a WTF lineup of Calexico, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, and Savor: A Tribute to Santana.

KIIM FM 99.5's annual Freedom Festival, headlined by Tracy Lawrence, takes place at the Kino Sports Complex soccer fields.

Start Our State hosts Baja Arizona Independence Day, which features performances by Gabriel Sullivan and Taraf de Tucson, Silverbell, Seashell Radio and Yardsale Heart. It takes place at the Rialto Theatre.

Diego's Umbrella headlines Club Congress' annual Xmas in July.

The Cordials make their live debut, opening for Saint Maybe at the Red Room at Grill.

Ricky Dean Pegram dies.

A two-day CD-release party for Live at Red Room, Vol. II, featuring performances by John Polle, Ultramaroon, Discos, Madame Zero, Mad River Glenn and French Quarter, is held at the Red Room.

Rainer's Roll Back the Years, a collaboration with Calexico's John Convertino and Joey Burns recorded in the summer of 1997, is released.

Al Perry's debut art show, Perry's Postcards, takes place at record-store Ancient Radio. The event features musical performances by nonmusicians, and musicians performing on instruments that they've never played.

Plush hosts a TAMHA benefit featuring acts that are required to incorporate the ukulele into their performances. Artists include Some of Them Are Old, Winston Watson's Brother Love and the Salvations, Amy Rude, Tracy Shedd, and A House, A Home.

Batucaxé celebrates its 10th anniversary by performing at the Third Annual Monsoon Mania Dance Party at the Rhythm Industry Performance Factory.

Community Radio Tucson and the Prometheus Radio Project hold their first community meeting in an attempt to establish a low-power FM radio station in Tucson.

Notable releases: The Modeens, Get With the Times; Bricktop: Broken Bottles and Suicide Throttles; Gaza Strip, Makes No Sense.

August 2011

HAIRSPRAYFIREANDGIRLS perform the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. in its entirety at Che's Lounge, and later in the month release their second, self-titled album.

Former Black Sun Ensemble guitarist Bolt of Apollo organizes The Kitty Meow Puppy Chow Rescue Mission Punk Fest, which takes place at The Hut and features performances by the Besmirchers, Al Foul, and Texas Trash and the Trainwrecks.

Mr. Free and the Satellite Freakout perform at a wet T-shirt contest at The Bashful Bandit.

After a decade, the Bled announce they will embark on a final tour before breaking up.

KXCI Celebrates 1971, a benefit for the community radio station at the Rialto Theatre, features local acts including A Son y Sol, Diane Van Deurzen and Lisa Otey, Gila Bend, Silverfox and Atom Heart Mother, performing songs from albums released in that year.

We Heart Stacy: A Rock 'n' Roll Benefit Concert for Stacy Fortson, a writer and photographer for local music magazine BSceneLive who broke her leg when a mosh pit broke out behind her at a show, is held at The Hut. Performers include Race You There, Despondency Denied, Bradley Sconzert and Savage Zoo.

The Lisa Otey and Friends Series, in which the local jazz/blues singer is joined by a different guest performer for each show, kicks off at Z Mansion with an appearance by Lisa's mom, Gay Otey.

Powhaus Productions presents Tulle: A Tribute to Alexander McQueen, featuring performances by Leather Clutch, El Hanko Dinero, Diana Gen and Treasure MammaL, at Plush.

Whole Lotta Zep re-creates Led Zeppelin's 1972 Tucson appearance—their only one—at Club Congress.

The Tucson Weekly's 18th annual Tucson Area Music Awards, or TAMMIES, ceremony is held at the Rialto Theatre. Big winners include Calexico (Band/Musician of the Year), Dead Western Plains (Up-and-Coming Artist of the Year) and The Tryst (Best New Release). Performers at the ceremony include Gabriel Sullivan and Taraf de Tucson, Seashell Radio, The Tryst, Greg Morton and Hollywood Knights, as well as the 2011 inductee into the TAMMIES Tucson Music Hall of Fame, Neon Prophet.

Savelab, a benefit for producer Craig Schumacher, who owns and operates Wavelab Studio and is battling cancer, is held on two stages at Club Congress. Performers include the Wayback Machine, the Last Call Girls, the Carnivaleros, Funky Bonz and Ferrodyne.

The Second Annual March of the Moai, at The Hut, features performances by Slacktone, Surfside IV, Mission Creeps, Big Tiki Dude, Fish Karma and 8 Minutes to Burn.

Dirt Nasty headlines O'Malley's on Fourth's Back 2 School Party.

Calexico, the Silver Thread Trio and Craig Schumacher perform alongside Amos Lee at the Fox Tucson Theatre during a taping of the PBS series Live From the Artists Den.

Notable releases: Key Ingredients of African Soul, Abidjan to Bulawayo; Jimmy Carr and the Awkward Moments; Heather Hardy, Get Out of the Road.

September 2011

The Seventh Annual HoCo Fest is held at Hotel Congress over four nights. Performers include DeVotchKa, Calexico, Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta, Kiss and the Tells, Luca, Dan Stuart and Jon Rauhouse. Proceeds from the fourth night are donated to Craig Schumacher to help with his medical bills as he recovers from cancer.

Calexico performs at the opening of Calexico: A Retrospective, "an intimate and moving, behind-the-scenes photographic exhibition, which celebrates this pre-eminent Tucson, Arizona, band's rich history and depth of artistry," at Sacred Machine Museum.

Doctorr Faustus hosts The Monster Mash, which includes performances by Mr. Free and the Satellite Freakout, Jimmy Carr, Katie Colville and Countach, as well as a freak show and Scream Queen contest, at The HangArt.

Etherton Gallery opens an exhibition of rock photography called Rockin' the Desert: Photographs by Baron Wolman and Lynn Goldsmith.

The Fifth Annual Tucson Musicians Museum Celebration of Music and Culture takes place at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa. Ten local musicians are inducted into the museum's class of 2011 at the event: Bryan Dean, Toni Clark, Jose Yebra, Carl Cherry II, Richard J. Leek, Mike Kuhn, Tim O'Connor, Howe Gelb, William Don Carlos and Dave Plank. Inducted posthumously are Gerald Ptak and Ricky Dean Pegram. Previous TMM inductees Chuck Morrow, Dean Armstrong and Plato T. Jones, all of whom had died in the past year, are memorialized.

Powhaus Productions presents Glitter Ball 3000, a rock 'n' roll dance party featuring performances by the Electric Blankets, Thriftstore Throwdown and Faster Than Light, as well as DJs the Vinyl Baron and B-Rad, at the Rialto Theatre.

Casa Vicente hosts the Third Annual Tucson Spanish and Flamenco Festival.

Friki Fest II: Skull Island is held at the Rialto Theatre. Performers include Agent Orange, the Lords of Altamont, Mission Creeps, Vicky and the Vengents and Scorpion vs. Tarantula.

The two-day Tejano Showcase 2011, at AVA at Casino del Sol, features performances by Los Aguilares, Boni Mauricio, Jaime y los Chamacos, Los Texmaniacs featuring Flaco Jimenez and the Farias Brothers Reunion, among others.

Depedro, Calexico, Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta, and Guerrila Tangueros perform at Monstrosa: An Evening of Latin Music, at Plush.

Green Revolution Radio launches Green Revolution Records at a showcase at Sky Bar. Performers include Frankie Lopez, Brookee Lin, Triple Double, Alan Fullbeard, Still Life Telescope and the Mark Archambault Combo.

After Stone Temple Pilots drop off the bill due to "unavoidable scheduling conflicts," Korn steps in to headline KFMA's Fall Ball, held at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium. Other performers include Staind, Five Finger Death Punch, Chevelle, Asking Alexandria and Middle Class Rut.

Phat Entertainment presents PHATfest, an EDM festival on two consecutive nights, at Hotel Congress and the Rialto Theatre. Performers include RUN DMT, Electric Feel DJs, Infected Mushroom, Sonario, Dirtyphonics and Tranceducer.

Notable releases: Combo Westside, Full Bloom; We Killed the Union, Bloodset Arizona; Stefan George and Tom Walbank, My Old Friend the Blues; French Quarter, Desert Wasn't Welcome; Brass Tax, Math Jazz at the Dollar Store; Namoli Brennet, We Were Born to Rise; A Fall to Break, The Man in the Mask; CCS Crew; Monster Pussy, Tails of the City.

October 2011

About 90 local and national acts perform at the Tucson Weekly's Fall Club Crawl® in the downtown and Fourth Avenue area. Performers include Grams and Krieger, the Love Me Nots, Broken Romeo, Greyhound Soul, the Project and Los Nawdy Dawgs.

The Tucson Museum of Art opens Who Shot Rock and Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present, one of several exhibits of rock photography around town as part of the Tucson Rocks celebration.

The seventh annual Tucson Film and Music Festival features a variety of music-related films, including shorts, narratives, music videos and documentaries. Among them are Better Than Something: Jay Reatard and Kumaré. Fish Karma, Al Perry with Skip Heller, Ghiant and The Pork Torta perform as part of the festival.

Folkapalooza, a fundraiser for the Tucson Folk Festival, is held on the patio at Hotel Congress. The event features performances by the Wayback Machine, Combo Westside, The Modeens, Whole Lotta Zep, the Bryan Dean Trio and Heather Hardy.

In an amusing culture clash, Insane Clown Posse performs at the Rialto Theatre on the same night as Second Saturdays Downtown.

The Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation presents the Blues and Heritage Festival, which features performances by Elvin Bishop, Hans Olsen, Arthur Migliazza, George Howard and Gary Mackender, at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park.

The Wayback Machine hosts and serves as the house band at Bluesapalooza, at Boondocks Lounge. It features performances by AmoChip Dabney, Mitzi Cowell, Gary Mackender and many others.

Luz de Vida, available as a 37-song digital download featuring local and national artists (including Spoon, Ozomatli and Robyn Hitchcock), and as a 12-song, locals-only, limited-edition vinyl album, is released by Fort Lowell Records at a show at the Rialto Theatre. Performers include Joey Burns and John Convertino of Calexico, Reno del Mar, Mariachi Luz de Luna, HAIRSPRAYFIREANDGIRLS, La Cerca and Golden Boots, all of whom appear on the album. Proceeds from the album and show are donated to the Tucson Together Fund, dedicated to helping the victims of Jan. 8, 2011. (Full disclosure: I was on the team that put the album together.)

The Carnivaleros celebrate their 10th anniversary with a performance at Suite 147 in Plaza Palomino.

Nightmare on Congress Street, a four-venue event that's all-inclusive with the cost of a single ticket, takes place at Club Congress, the Rialto Theatre, Sacred Machine Museum and Playground's rooftop. Performers include People From the Sun, The Jons, American Android and DJ Bonus.

The Desert Bluegrass Association presents the 12th Annual Desert Bluegrass Festival at AVA at Casino del Sol. Performers include Whistle Stop, Copper River and Titan Valley Warheads.

Notable releases: David Neff, My Name's David; Tridon, Lucky #7; Naïm Amor, Soundtracks Vol. IV; GSol, Shine; Solace in Nothing, Demons; Broken Romeo, Desperation Daze; The Outlaw Rebels, The Outlaw Rebels.

November 2011

Ozomatli headlines the Festival Mundial del Dia de Los Muertos at AVA at Casino del Sol. The fest also features The Jons, Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta, Salvador Duran, Mezzo Forte, Nefftys and Los Gallegos.

Calexico releases the vinyl-only box set Road Atlas: 1998-2011, which collects eight of the group's tour EPs, live albums and a soundtrack. The band also headlines the post-All Souls Procession show at the Rialto Theatre, which includes performances by Sergio Mendoza, the Silver Thread Trio, Salvador Duran, Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School and the Pride of Arizona Marching Band.

Hotel Congress hosts the 11/11/11 party, featuring performances by 11 acts (12, actually) including Remix Artist Collective (R.A.C.), Golden Ghost, Jamie J., Crime, Sean Harris with Full Release, Zackey Force Funk and Zoology.

Rich Hopkins hosts his annual Casa Maria Thanksgiving Benefit at Plush. Performers include Stefan George, Salvador Duran and Tammy West.

An Evening of Ongoing Expression, an art show and performance benefiting Café 54, features paintings by Joelle Pitts, Fish Karma and Al Perry, and music by Perry, Karma and Kevin Henderson.

The Tucson Musicians Museum finds a permanent location at the 17th Street Market's music store.

Grill, and by extension, the Red Room, which had become a beloved hub of downtown music culture, close their doors.

Young Hunter, Otherly Love and Brass Tax perform at the first installment of RR Nites, a sort-of replacement for the Red Room, at La Cocina.

The Bled performs its final local show at The Rock.

Notable Releases: Ryanhood, After Night Came Sun; Kitchen on Fire, Here We Are; Alien Jane, 11:11; Lazer Totin' Lizards, Smoke Break; Sabra Faulk, Acoustic Angel.

December 2011

Sweet Pea and the Bean, Quieres Mas, Church Key, Special Brownie and Grupo Tesoro are among the performers at Hotel Congress' annual World AIDS Day event.

Boondocks Lounge hosts a Blues Benefit for Mary and Marty Kool. Performers include Tony and the Torpedoes, Grams and Krieger with Nancy McCallion, and the Tall Paul Band.

Powhaus Productions presents the doomsday-themed party Prophecy, featuring performances by Mr. Free and the Satellite Freakout, Jaime J., and the Fiestacles, at the Rialto Theatre.

Burger Records reissues the Resonars' 1999 album, Bright and Dark, leading to bandleader Matt Rendon reconstituting the band.

The 14th Annual Great Cover-Up is held over three nights at three venues: Plush, Club Congress and the Rialto Theatre. Performers include Genevieve and the LPs, Jeremy Michael Cashman, The Monitors, Flagrante Delicto, Crosscut Saw, Leila Lopez and Doctor Dinosaur. Proceeds are donated to TAMHA.

Jo Wilkinson and Grains of Sand play their farewell concert at Suite 147 at Plaza Palomino.

Rhythm Dragons, Neiphi and Knock-Out are among the performers at the Stuff the Bug Holiday Ball, benefiting Casa de los Niños, at Club Carnage.

The Xmas Eve EVE Holiday Hootenanny, held at Club Congress, features performances by Howe Gelb, Brian Lopez, Acorn Bcorn, Gabriel Sullivan and Make My Baby.

The Arizona Blues Hall of Fame Show, which includes performances by the Bad News Blues Band, Tony Uribe, Ed DeLucia and Bryan Dean, takes place at Club Congress.

Roast 'Em and Toast 'Em, a benefit for KXCI, is held at the Temple of Music and Art. Roasters take the piss out of station DJs Milo Solujic, Carol "Ruby" Anderson, Kidd Squidd and Marty Kool.

The Heather Dickey Memorial Benefit, featuring short, mostly acoustic sets by artists including Animus Divine, Angelic to Ashes, Godhunter, Bad Tourist, Hillbilly Bo and CCS Crew, is held at The Rock.

KXCI broadcasts its annual holiday-themed Sonic Solstice program, which includes live performances by Acorn Bcorn, Saint Maybe and Gabrielle Pietrangelo, among many others.

Notable releases: Love Mound, The Noose, the Tree, and the Desert Sky; Sugar Stains, Sweet Revenge; Rescue Lights, One More Try; the Tall Paul Band, Sleeper; various artists, Tucson Songs; Hank Topless, It's So December.

January 2012

Top Dead Center hosts its annual food drive for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona at The Hut. Performers include 8 Minutes to Burn, Heather Hardy and Cadillac Mountain.

Future congressman Ron Barber organizes a benefit for his Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding featuring Ben Folds, Calexico and the Silver Thread Trio. The event is held at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

The 20th Wooden Ball, organized by Chris Holiman and held over two nights at Plush and Club Congress, features mostly acoustic performances by ... music video?, Hank Topless, Tracy Shedd, Kaia Chesney, and Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl among many others.

Titan Valley Warheads perform their 30th anniversary show at Suite 147 in Plaza Palomino.

Mean Beans perform their last Tucson show at Club Congress before relocating to San Francisco.

Jonathan Holden, the tireless music promoter behind the Rhythm and Roots concert series, and an original board member of KXCI, dies after a brief illness. His wife, Susan, takes over the concert series.

Saint Maybe, Cadillac Steakhouse, Acorn Bcorn, Holy Rolling Empire, DJ Likedaang and O/W/L/S perform at the opening of Return Trip: Art From the Boneyard Project, at the Pima Air and Space Museum.

Notable releases: Sleep Driver, Signals; Bryan Dean Trio, Sobriety Checkpoint; A House, A Home, Stories of the Frontier; Scorned Embrace, Enclosures; Rich Hopkins and Luminarios, Buried Treasures; Silver Thread Trio, Trigger and Scythe; LeeAnne Savage, To the N9nes; Silverbell, Whitewashed Heart; Gridlokd.

February 2012

Topaz, a new downtown performance space, opens with a two-night music-and-arts festival called Dune Drift. Musical performers include Otherly Love, Andrew Collberg and the Hollywood Diamonds, and the Pork Torta.

Boondocks Lounge hosts Love Songs or Not! A Benefit to Keep the Folk Festival Free, featuring performances by Kevin Pakulis and Amy Langley, Mitzi Cowell, Sabra Faulk, JC and Laney, Robyn Landis and Ice-9.

Ozomatli performs at the Rialto Theatre to help raise money and support the Acosta plaintiffs, a group of Tucson Unified School District teachers suing the state over the closure of Mexican-American studies.

Music Is Medicine: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jonathan Holden takes place at Plaza Palomino. Performers include Louie Levinson, Gene Holmes, Jack Wood, Titan Valley Warheads, John Coinman, Peter McLaughlin and Friends and many others.

Tora Woloshin, who advanced to the Top 32 on the Fox singing-competition show The X Factor, releases her debut album, Open Heart Surgery.

The Dusty Chaps reunite to perform their concept album, Domino Joe, in its entirety at Plush.

Mike Davis, onetime Tucsonan and bass player for the MC5, dies.

Fringe Fest's The Barely Free Baja Spectacular features tons of local musicians, including members of the Tryst and Sweet Ghosts, Leila Lopez and Brian Green, Collin Shook, Brian Lopez, Jimmy Carr and organizer Bryan Sanders, over two nights at Solar Culture Gallery.

The annual Blues Sunday service, featuring performances by Lisa Otey, Diane Van Deurzen and Hurricane Carla Brownlee, takes place at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church.

Notable releases: Electric Blankets, 7-inch; Andrew Collberg, 7-inch; Vine St.; Chris Black, Drunk at the Funeral; Gabriel Sullivan and Taraf de Tucson, None of This Is Mine; Gabriel Sullivan, Where the Bad Ones Go; Einweck Brothers, Beautiful Lonesome.

March 2012

Although one of its members has moved to Seattle, and another will soon depart for New York, Seashell Radio celebrates the release of their second album, Slick Machine, with a performance at Plush.

Following the closure of the beloved local-centric boutique, Bohemia Marches Forth ... The Bon Voyage Party and Benefit takes place at La Cocina and features performances by Combo Westside, Jimmy Carr and the Awkward Moments, Hans Hutchison, the Cordials, Amy Rude and Ryen Eggleston, Vannessa Lundon and Jazz Telephone.

In advance of SXSW in Austin, the third annual Bröötal Sun Fest and a showcase from Burger Records converge on Tucson. The former, which takes place at Skrappy's, The Pound and Dry River Collective over four days, features performances by Doctor Dinosaur, the David Liebe Hart Band, and TS and the Past Haunts, among many others; the latter, which takes place over two nights at La Cocina, includes performances by Lenguas Largas, Otherly Love, Pangea, Audacity, Acorn Bcorn, Cosmonauts, Feeding People and, in their first live performance in 16 years, the Resonars.

Club Congress' St. Patrick's Day Zep Fest, a two-night event paying homage to Led Zeppelin, features performances by Dread Zeppelin, Flagrante Delicto and Whole Lotta Zep.

The Mollys reunite to perform at the St. Patrick's Day Dance Party at Boondocks Lounge.

Bill Wooldridge, who operated Skrappy's with his wife, Kathy, and played guitar in Widow's Hill, dies. A pair of tribute and benefit shows, one at Sky Bar and one at Skrappy's, are held. In addition to performances by Sleep Driver, Lariats, Shepherds and Sailors, Cariad and Saving Today at the Skrappy's event, Broken End Stereo make the trip to Tucson from Texas to perform, while Our Cure the Rocketship reunites in tribute.

Following the 2011 death of the band's co-founder, songwriter and lead guitarist, Hector Sanchez, Diver City releases its EP with a release party at The Rock.

Notable releases: Brian Lopez, Ultra; Way Out West, Saddle Sore Blues; Sinphonics, Ghost Note Anthems; Jameson Clay Koweek, Donkey-Man and the Bootgaze Band; various artists, The T.U.C. Mixtape (Tucson Underground Cares).

April 2012

Relocating from Barrio Viejo to the El Presidio neighborhood, the third annual Festival en el Barrio features performances by Calexico, Megafaun, Grupo Fantasma, Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta, The Pork Torta, Hollywood Knights, Shaun Harris, Silverbell, Dry River Yacht Club and Mariachi Aztlan. The after-party, at La Cocina, features Brownout and DJs Herm and (Weekly contributor) Carl Hanni.

To celebrate 25 years of operating Solar Culture Gallery, Steven Eye throws a block party featuring performances by Baba Marimba, Salvador Duran, Gary Bear and DJs Throw3r, Emily Skyrocker, Krti Mouserider and Elektratek.

Summerdog perform a 30-year anniversary reunion show at El Casino Ballroom.

Roughly 100 local and national acts, including Chali 2na, the Wyatts, Dream Sick, the Gallery, Vox Urbana, Shark Pants, Billy Sedlmayr, Roll Acosta and Gaza Strip, perform at the Tucson Weekly's Spring Club Crawl®.

Tempest Broog Productions presents Night of the Dog Star!, a benefit for Tucson CARES Animal Rescue, at Plush. In addition to several burlesque performers, the event features live music by Ensphere, The Modeens, Fish Karma and The Pork Torta.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Tucson International Mariachi Conference leaves its longtime home at the Tucson Convention Center for new digs at Casino del Sol. Performers include Shaila Dúrcal, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan and Mariachi Femenil Nuevo Tecalitlan.

The 13th annual KFMA Day, at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, features performances by Incubus, Cage the Elephant, Chevelle, Dirty Heads, Neon Trees, Awolnation, Anberlin and Civil Twilight.

The Bisbee Pop Narkotic Party, featuring more than a dozen acts from Tucson and Bisbee, including Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl, The Tryst, Hans Hutchison, One Gentle Mule and Jacob Acosta, is held at the Battle Stags Fine Art Garage.

DV8 hosts Stop the Violence, which features a lineup of local rappers memorializing Carlos Sandoval, a Salpointe Catholic High School student who was murdered at age 17. Performers include Eclipzo, E-Fresh, AZ Celebrities, Monster House, Cash Lansky, Celena Santa Cruz and Killa Highlife. Proceeds from the event are donated to Homicide Survivors.

Notable releases: Naïm Amor, Dansons; Otherly Love, 5+5=X; The Project, Child Support; The Vases, Manic; Jonestown Band, The Last Days of Jonestown.