September 21 - September 27, 1995
Thursday 21
HOUSE OF TRICKS. One of Tucson's finest
performance artists returns to the stage after two years of intense
study for House of Tricks, "an emotionally-charged
drama that examines prostitution, pyromania and spiritual redemption."
This one-man show, written and performed by Victor Lodato, is
based on a year of research and interviews made possible by an
NEA fellowship. Lodato has created a dramatic journey through
the sexual underground in his exploration of male sex-trade workers
and the complex dynamics of father/son mythology. Performances
continue at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through October 7
at a.k.a. Theatre, 125 E. Congress St. Tickets are $10. Call 623-7852
for reservations and information.
WOMAN OF STEEL. The last we heard of Kristina Olsen was
her contribution on hammered dulcimer to Michelle Shocked's Short
Sharp Shocked release in 1986. But the Bay area beauty has
taken off since then, with three CDs and two continents in her
guitar case, not to mention that wildly beautiful steelbody guitar
she plays. While we favor the plucky blues tracks on her latest
album, Hurry on Home, she proves she can be as successful
with sentimental folk as she is with her sardonic wit in singing
the blues. Joined by Teresa Tudury (who packed the house on her
first Tucson performance earlier this summer) tonight's show promises
a unique blend of accomplished playing and quirky humor. Showtime
is 8 p.m. at the Southwest Center for Music, 2175 N. Sixth Ave.
Advance tickets are $8, $6 for TFTM, TKMA, KXCI and TBS members,
available at Hear's Music on Campbell Avenue and Antigone Books
on Fourth Avenue. Call 884-1220 for information.
Friday 22
HEAVENLY HOSTS. If you only go to one play this year,
make it Tony Kushner's Angels In America. Critics
in Los Angeles have lavished praise on this complex epic drama,
calling it "one of the most important plays in the last 25
years." This unsettling glimpse into American society--into
a religious couple confronting a marital breakup, drug addiction,
the Washington establishment and gay lovers facing AIDS--combines
humor and warmth with a grim reality many try hard to ignore.
Part One, "Millennium Approaches," will be performed
at 8 p.m. Part Two, "Perestroika," begins at 8 p.m.
Saturday. Separate tickets must be purchased for each. Angels
continues through September 24 at UA Centennial Hall, east
of the main gate at Park Avenue and University Boulevard. Tickets
range from $19 to $35 and are available at the Centennial Hall
box office, Dillard's and the TCC box office. Charge tickets by
calling 621-3341.
ON TILL MORNING. Close up the nursery window for a few
hours and take the family to see the Southern Arizona Light Opera
Company's season opener, Peter Pan, starring comedienne
Janet Higgins. The small, energetic Higgins not only played the
role for SALOC nine years ago, she was Cathy Rigby's understudy
in the play's national tour and Tony Award-nominated Broadway
revival. After roles which took her as far away as Japan, she's
grown up fast on the grueling stand-up comedy scene at The Comedy
Store in Los Angeles. "Peter Pan is such a tradition,"
says Higgins. "It's a great way to introduce a child to the
theatre. And a trip to Neverland always puts a lump in the adult's
throat."
Peter Pan continues with performances at 2 and 8 p.m.
through September 24 in the TCC Music Hall, second to the right
and straight on till morning. Tickets start at $15. Call 323-7888
or 884-1212 for reservations and information.
Saturday 23
CAJUN STREET DANCE. No matter how rhythmically challenged
your feet may be, head downtown for the ultimate end-of-the-summer
bash with the excellent Louisiana combo of Michael Doucet and
Beausoleil. When the barricades go up on Fifth Avenue, let your
guard down and settle into the carnivalesque atmosphere of the
Big Easy's magical music. Tex-Mex Trio Grande opens the show.
See Michael Metzger's article in the Music section for details.
Tickets are $10 in advance, available from Zia Records and Hear's
Music. All proceeds will go toward the restoration of the historic
Rialto Theater. The fun begins at 7 p.m. on Fifth Avenue between
Congress Street and Broadway. Call 795-1420 for information.
HARAMBEE FESTIVAL. During 27 years in her northwest neighborhood,
Donna Liggins has seen the Harambee Festival come and go. After
12 years, she calls this year's event a "rebirth." Liggins
and the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department's Northwest Neighborhood
Center breathe new life into the festivities with a rainbow of
live entertainment, motivational speakers, ethnic foods and community
information booths. "The emphasis is on fun and coming together
in unity," says Liggins, who talks about the festival's roots
in African tradition. Harambee is a Swahili word for "coming
together."
Today's event kicks off with a traditional "drum call"
by Taqui Rasool and the Song-High Drummers, as well as free samples
from a variety of ethnic food vendors in the park. Live music
continues throughout the day, with performances by Mary Baker,
jazz player Dr. Diggs and a host of Tucson's youth and gospel
choirs, for starters. "The more people hear, the more they
come," says Liggins, who herself doesn't know what the day
will bring. "It's just a fun day in the park, to come down
and see what everybody's all about." This free family celebration
continues from 4 p.m. to midnight at Mansfield Park, Fourth Avenue
between Waverly and Grant roads.
OH COME ALL YE PAGANS. Really annoy your neighbors on the
religious right by attending the eighth annual Tucson Area Wiccan
Network Fall Festival, a "pagan/wiccan gathering" from
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Himmel Park, Tucson Boulevard and Second
Street. Bring a picnic lunch and celebrate the autumn equinox
(that's right, the blessed end of summer) with ritual, costume,
craft sales, live auction, music and divinations. Workshops on
pagan political activism, energy transference, Asatru (the Viking
religion), pagan humor, drumming, songs and chants will also be
offered. Dispel the myths of wicked witches and join in this celebration
of living in harmony with nature. Although admission is free,
donations for the Community Food Bank (including lesser-recognized
commodities like diapers, toilet paper and feminine supplies)
are requested. Call 323-8112 for information.
Sunday 24
FLAMENCO HO! As far as we're concerned, the life of a gypsy
is no song and dance. Nonetheless, this spirited art form has
evolved over centuries from Africa and the Mideast to Spain's
dying Flamenco tradition, incorporating regional influences along
the way. Witness this breathtaking spectacle as Xanadu Dance Studio
presents an evening of Mideastern and Flamenco music and dance,
with Santa Cruz, California, musicians Sirocco and Flamenco guitarist
Gaetano, at 7 p.m. at the Southwest Center for Music, 2175 N.
Sixth Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance, $14 at the door. Call 881-0883
for tickets and information.
Monday 25
BUMS STEERED. Whether you're a proud country fan or a closet
line dancer, you'll find good company tonight at The Bum Steer,
1910 N. Stone Ave., when the dynamic duo of Larry and Amanda take
over the floor from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with free beginning country
western dance lessons. They say they can teach anybody to dance
the two step, cha cha, triple-time, pony and desperado wrap. We
recommend this activity only for people who can count to eight,
preferably while chewing gum at the same time. Partners and singles
are equally welcome. Call 884-7377 for information.
Tuesday 26
FAST TIMES. If you think you know what kids are facing
these days, challenge your assumptions by visiting NE--SW:
Life in the Fast Lane, photographs and journal writings of
inner city students from Tucson and Hartford, Connecticut, continuing
through September 30 at St. Philip's in the Hills Murphy Gallery,
4440 N. Campbell Ave. This unique exhibit has been sponsored by
Youth at Risk and developed by photojournalist Susan L. Newman.
Gallery hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Wednesday 27
HELLO TO OPERA. The Tucson opera season will soon be upon
us, and you can get a leg up on the season opener, Il Trovatore
(1850), in this musical lecture at 7 p.m. at the Wilmot Library,
530 N. Wilmot Road. This free preview of Verdi's famous story
about a band of gypsies, a wicked count and a battle for true
love will feature live music with piano and the rich baritone
voice of David Majoros and animated narration by Dr. Kenneth Ryan.
Call 791-4627 for information.
Add your Home Page to the Tucson Weekly
Crosby!'s Home Page - Art-Graphics & Photography
fiction/alternative education/good links
The Sausage Links - featuring 'Eric's Super Search'
Aviation weather and Midi music (a natural link) under construction
September 21 - September 27, 1995
