Foothills News 09/06/2023

Fall Arts Preview

Tucson awaits a plethora of productions

Glass, sculpture, paintings: So much to see in Tucson’s galleries

‘Prance Your Pup’ walks into town

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Rescue Me Tucson will host the inaugural “Prance Your Pup” fun walk (9 a.m. to noon) and adoption event (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Ann Day Community Park, 7601 N. Mona Lisa Drive, Tucson.

The event features local vendors, food trucks, music and family activities including a “Smooch Your Pooch” booth. Kids of all ages can meet “Dusty” from the Roadrunners between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Multiple area rescues and shelters will be present with a wide selection of dogs and puppies to adopt. McGruff the Crime Dog may be doing detective work at the park.

Rescue Me Tucson operates Rescue Me

Marana, an all-volunteer-run, collaborative-based pet adoption center that aids several Southern Arizona shelters. Since opening in September 2021, Rescue Me Tucson has

Rescue Me Tucson will host the inaugural “Prance Your Pup” fun and adoption event on Saturday, Nov. 4. (Submitted)

facilitated adoption of more than 850 dogs and cats and has helped connect hundreds of people to community resources for affordable spay/neuter, vaccines and training needs.

Rescue Me Tucson helps people looking for a specific breed learn how to search shelters

Tourism is cresting on pent-up demand

BY JIMMY MAGAHERN Tucson Local Media Contributor

Through 2021 and 2022, the tourism industry rebounded strongly, as pandemic concerns eased and a worldwide populace that had put its travel plans on hold indulged its pent-up need to vacation.

Hotels were able to achieve rates and reve-

nue per available room above 2019 levels, according to a 2023 industry report by Deloitte. And U.S. air travel volume averaged 90% of 2019 levels through most of 2022. Only the well-publicized flight delays of last summer caused some to forgo holiday travel, but concerns about flight disruptions have since also eased.

“The bookings are still very strong,” said

Tom Moulton, executive director of the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance, a marketing and trade organization that partners with over 120 southern Arizona attractions and tourism-related companies to publish its annual Passport Book, a kind of Entertainment coupon book for the southern Arizona tourism

TEMPTATIONS

ARTS

Broadway in Tucson: “Aladdin” TO SEPT. 10

culture. They also reveal his keen eye for the story he was living in. Patricia Preciado Martin will give a talk about the exhibit. She’s authored three collections of oral histories about Tucson and earned the Arizona Humanities Council Distinguished Public Scholar Award of Excellence. The exhibit continues through Oct. 6.

Pima Community College, Center for the Arts, Recital Hall and Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery, 4905 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, free, 5 to 7 p.m., pima.edu

MUSIC

Keb’ Mo SEPT. 12

SEPTEMBER 8th • SHOW 8:00PM

THE

SEPTEMBER

THE

OCTOBER 12th • SHOW 8:00PM

PARMALEE

OCTOBER 14th • SHOW 8:00PM

RONNIE CHIENG

OCTOBER 21st • SHOW 8:00PM

THE CLAIRVOYANTS

DECEMBER 23rd • SHOW 8:00PM

With this staging of “Aladdin,” Broadway in Tucson celebrates 30 years since Disney’s animated Aladdin first found the magic lamp. The stage play was produced by the same team that brought us “The Lion King,” and the music is by Tony and Academy Award winner Alan Menken. For anyone unfamiliar with the story, it’s boy-meets-girl magic with sets involving mountains of glittering treasure and goofy sidekicks and a villain you will love to hiss. But mind the cobra. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard, Tucson, tickets start at $40, various times, broadwayintucson.com

Odyssey Storytelling: “Arms & Legs” SEPT. 7

The mission of the nonprofit StoryArts Group, parent of Odyssey Storytelling, is to “create, support, preserve, promote and celebrate” the art of storytelling. That’s no mean feat in the age of the IM. Stories, told on cave walls or around a fire, were the origin of history, biography, journalism and arguably, community. Odyssey Storytelling keeps them going with monthly performances of the best stories submitted around a specific prompt. This month, we will laugh and cry through whatever “Arms & Legs,” inspires.

The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress Street, Tucson, $15, 7 p.m., odysseystorytelling.com

Reception: “Images and Conversations: Louis Carlos Bernal” SEPT. 13

The gallery’s namesake, photographer Louis Carlos Bernal, grew up in Tucson and Southern Arizona. This exhibit features his evocative, black and white images of his vibrant Mexican American

In a rock ’n’ roll world, Keb’ Mo won five Grammy awards for taking us back in time, evoking the sounds of sweltering Southern summers, the bayous, the barns with the paint peeling. At a time when punk bands were borrowing that retro sound and morphing it to new decibel levels, Keb’ Mo’s sensibilities picked it up where it lay and carried it forward and made it a party, all the way to Carnegie Hall. Taj Mahal, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, BB King and even BTS have recorded his songs.

Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $20, 7:30 p.m., foxtucson.com

Tucson Jazz Festival: Keiko Matsui SEPT. 12

Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder are among fans of this pianist, welcome in concert halls around the world for her style, both musical and personal. Her dream, she says, is “to increase harmony on this planet” through her music. She’s often characterized as soft-spoken, but she is known as a dynamo on piano. With her touring combo, she’ll perform music from her just-released album, “Euphoria.”

The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $38.50, 8 p.m., tucsonjazzfestival.org

Late Night with Chris Black SEPT. 14

Fans of “alt-classical” Chamberlab are abuzz with the news that Chris Black is

TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

FOOTHILLS NEWS

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ADMINISTRATION

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EDITORIAL

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski, Executive Editor christina@timeslocalmedia.com

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PRODUCTION

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EDITORIAL &

HOT PICKS

WARNING!

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND CHRONIC PAIN TREATMENTS NOT WORKING!!

Tucson, AZ - When it comes to chronic pain and/ or neuropathy, the most common doctor-prescribed treatment is drugs like Gabapentin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Neurontin. The problem with anti-depressants or anti-seizure medications like these is that they offer purely symptomatic relief, as opposed to targeting and treating the root of the problem. Worse, these drugs often trigger an onset of uncomfortable, painful, and sometimes harmful side effects.

The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness and numbness.

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

The drugs your doctor might prescribe will temporarily conceal the problems, putting a “BandAid” over a situation that will only continue to deteriorate without further action.

(above 95% nerve loss is rarely treatable)

3. The amount of treatment required for the patient’s unique condition

Arrowhead Physical Medicine in Tuscon, AZ uses a state-of-the-art electric cell signaling systems worth $100,000.00. This ground-breaking treatment is engineered to achieve the following, accompanied by advanced diagnostics and a basic skin biopsy to accurately analyze results:

1. Increases blood flow

2. Stimulates and strengthens small fiber nerves

3. Improves brain-based pain

The treatment works by delivering energy to the affected area(s) at varying wavelengths, from low- to middle-frequency signals, while also using Amplitude Modulated (AM) and Frequency Modulated (FM) signaling.

It’s completely painless!

THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THIS TREATMENT IS COVERED BY MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST INSURANCES!!

Depending on your coverage, your peripheral neuropathy treatment could cost almost nothing – or be absolutely free.

The number of treatments required varies from patient to patient, and can only be determined following an in-depth neurological and vascular examination. As long as you have less them 95% nerve damage, there is hope!

HOT PICKS

from page 2

back for a show at the Century Room. There was nothing like Chamberlab before or since. Black composed, prolifically, contemporary orchestral music that could accommodate, e.g., four oboes and other unconventional effects. He also lifted up local composers making new music that Frank Sinatra, Rudee Vallee or Elvis Costello would sing. With drummer Benjamin DeGain, he’ll cherry-pick favorites from his catalog. See chrisblack.net.

Hotel Congress, The Century Room, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $10, 9 p.m., hotelcongress. com/family/century-room/

SPECIAL EVENTS

“Drinking Local: A Toast to the Southwest”

TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

and at schools and train people to find new jobs in kitchens. You’ll also help raise awareness. Arizona has the 14th highest rate of childhood hunger in the U.S. with 1 in 6 kids at risk.

Sam Lena Park, 3400 S. Country Club Road, Tucson, $25, $10 youth ages 6 to 11, 8 a.m., communityfoodbank.org/ hungerwalk/

Th e First Revolution: Mexico’s War of Independence SEPT. 9

This is the perfect junket for anyone who still thinks Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican independence. Historian Alex La Pierre tells how that really went down in a war with Spain from 1810 to 1821. It was Sept. 16 when Spain backed down. May 5 just celebrates Mexico’s 1862 victory over the Second French Empire at the battle of Puebla. Bet somebody a cerveza on May 5.

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, 1 Burruel Street, Tubac, $15, 10 a.m., tubacpresidio.org

6th Annual Lantern Festival SEPT. 9

Thankfully, Tuscon is the birthplace of a brand new facility that sheds light on this pressing problem of peripheral neuropathy and chronic pain. The company is trailblazing the medical industry by replacing outdated drugs and symptomatic reprieves with an advanced machine that targets the root of the problem at hand.

Effective neuropathy treatment relies on the following three factors:

1. Finding the underlying cause

2. Determining the extent of the nerve damage

Arrowhead Physical Medicine begins by analyzing the extent of the nerve damage – a complimentary service for your friends and family. Each exam comprises a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and comprehensive analysis of neuropathy findings.

Arrowhead Physical Medicine will be offering this free chronic pain and neuropathy severity evaluation will be available until September 30th, 2023. Call (520) 934-0130 to make an appointment.

Due to our very busy office schedule, we are limiting this offer to the first 10 callers. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE, CALL (520) 934-0130...NOW!!

We are extremely busy, so we are unavailable, please leave a voice message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Local brews are nothing new in Southern Arizona. An exhibit now featured at the Arizona History Museum traces the history and community impact of Southern Arizona brewers, distillers and vintners. Artifacts include the original bar from Tombstone’s Birdcage Theatre, the original copper still from Tucson Distiller Whiskey del Bac and artifacts of the soil scientist whose research led to the establishment of Sonoita’s first winery. Admission includes all museum exhibits.

Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second Street, Tucson, $12, $6 children, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., https://bit.ly/41TaXqH

Hunger Walk

SEPTEMBER

September is Hunger Action Month — a great reason to take a healthy, 1-mile walk with family and friends to benefit Tucson’s Community Food bank. You’ll be helping provide meals, stock pantries, grow gardens in yards

All ages will find something to enjoy at this event meant to carry messages of hope, love, happiness and peace out to the universe. The tradition of sending lit kites to the sky originated centuries ago in Asia to honor ancestors in the first month of the lunar new year. The Benson festival honors all ages, cultures and traditions, encouraging visitors to celebrate and remember their own ancestors and traditions. Games, music, dancing, artisans and food and beverage vendors round out the fun. Kids will love the free face-painting, a climbing wall and lots of inflatables. San Pedro Golf Course, 926 N. Madison Avenue, Benson, tickets start at $17, 3 to 8 p.m., The Lantern FestivalBenson, Arizona on Facebook.

AGING WELL

Personal Training Offers a Path for Pursuing Fitness Goals

Sometimes, even regular visits to the gym aren’t enough to keep you on track or help you reach a specific fitness goal. That’s where personal training can help.

Todd Lutz, the spa and fitness manager at Splendido, a Life Plan Community for those 55 and better in Oro Valley, sees a growing popularity among residents for working with a personal trainer. “Working with a trainer keeps you accountable,” says Todd, “but the real benefit is the trainer’s expertise in guiding you through a specific, safe, challenging regimen that focuses on what you want to achieve.”

Let’s Get Personal

People typically hire a personal trainer for a series of one-on-one workout sessions.

“Professional trainers know the ins and outs of exercise science,” explains Todd. “We can help people progress in areas of cardiovascular endurance, core strength, or agility—focusing on the areas they are targeting.” The

client sets their goals and the trainer comes up with a plan to help them achieve it.

“Personal training is a good option for people who might have realized they need to change up what they’ve been doing on their own. We see new people sign up for shortterm training—but we also have some dedicated clients,” says Todd. Residents pay a fee for each personal training session.

Florence Jaffe worked with a personal trainer for several years before she moved to Splendido 11 years ago, so she knows how effective it can be. After a hip replacement, she decided to build up her strength. “I was inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” she says. “For the last few years, I’ve been meeting with Todd once a week, and I’ve definitely seen some improvement.”

Resident Kathy Simkins describes herself as “a strong advocate” of personal training; she relies on weekly sessions to increase her strength and correct her movements.

“What I like about personal

weight machines. Compared to weight machines that use iron for say, leg lifts or bicep curls, with compressed air, you can move at a constant speed and reduce your risk for injury. “The compressed air equipment is highly adaptable and focuses on power and speed as well as strength,” explains Todd. Unlike iron weights, compressed air lets you move faster throughout your movement; you use the same rate of motion while lifting and lowering a weight or raising and lowering a leg lift, which helps improve neuromuscular speed.

teen minutes or half an hour.

High-tech fitness equipment: Splendido stocks its fitness center with versatile Therabody-brand wellness tech tools that residents can use to enhance their workouts. “Our massage guns and wave rollers have different functions, but generally, they reset the body to allow it to move more naturally, and they provide greater range of motion, so you can perform at a higher level and get more out of your workout,” explains Todd.

training is that it keeps me from relying on bad habits and using compensatory muscles that may cause injury,” she says. “It’s nice to have someone assess you as you exercise; that’s how I learn and practice movements that support my musculature. Also, it’s like I have a partner to play with—Gina cheers me on. On days I work out with her, I feel jazzed and powerful, and just really good about myself.”

Exercise Options Galore

In addition to personal training, Splendido residents can choose from in-person fitness classes and a fully equipped fitness center including indoor and outdoor pools. Some unique options include:

Compressed air machines: Splendido’s fitness center features compressed air equipment rather than traditional

Circuit training: Residents can sign up for circuit training, a fast-paced, intensive workout that involves cycling through multiple types of exercise in order to work different muscle groups. For example, you might rotate among stations that involve weights, floorwork like lunges or pushups, exercise bands or balls, and cardio equipment, spending about a minute at each station and quickly rotating around them for fif-

All of the above fitness resources—high-tech as well as high-touch—have been selected to address the goals and desires of Splendido residents. “Everyone’s wellness journey is unique, and we provide an array of options to support people, no matter what they’d like to achieve,” says Todd.

Interested in learning more about Splendido? For floor plans, photos, and information on upcoming events, visit splendidotucson.com.

Splendido fitness instructor Gina Rhine focuses on resident Florence Jaffe’s individual goals in a personal training session.

fallopenhouse

Find out from our residents what life here is like. Learn about our signature Zest mind, body, and soul wellness program! Enjoy live music, dance, fitness, or art classes, chef demos, and tastings. Sample a signature cocktail (or mocktail) crafted by our expert mixologist. Tour our homes, meet new friends, and win prizes!

To RSVP for this special event, please call 520.704.6497.

and rescues. Their goal is to help the public connect with the right rescue animal for their family.

In addition to adoptable dogs and cats, Rescue Me Tucson features cat and dog toys, supplies, and locally made pet treats by Dogs-n-Donuts.

Rescue Me Tucson is open noon to 5 p.m. Sundays to Fridays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at Tucson Premium Outlets, 6401 W. Marana Center Boulevard, Marana.

Learn about the volunteer opportunities Rescue Me Tucson has to offer: walk dogs, cuddle kitties, assist with retail, be part of community events.

For more information, contact:

TOURISM from page 1

industry. “If there’s any recession going on right now, the pent-up demand is overcoming that.”

But Moulton shares a concern with many in the industry that the ride may be about to end.

“Now the question we’re all working on is, ‘When will the pent-up demand stop and people realize it’s expensive to travel?’” Moulton added, with a laugh. “Because it seems everyone’s kind of ignoring that, you know?”

Indeed, domestic airfare rates alone were up 16% in the last quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, with international fares from the U.S. jumping to 31% over the previous year. And hotel prices have also increased. As of this past May, average room rates at U.S. hotels were up 38% from 2021, when post-pandemic travel began to rebound, according to global hospitality data company STR.

Not only that, but the quality of the travel experience has suffered, as both hotels and airlines continue struggling to staff frontline positions and deal with persistent supply chain issues. In a late 2022 survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, 87% of the hotels polled indicated they were experiencing a staffing shortage – 36% reporting severe shortages – mostly in housekeeping, with 43% ranking it as their biggest challenge.

And travelers, previously happy just to

teresa@rescuemetucson.org.

Rescue Me Tucson has limited sponsorship opportunities remaining for Prance Your Pup. Sponsors will be actively promoted to more than 7,000 social media followers as well as in advertising, news media and event signage.

Registration for teams and individuals is open. Register at: rescuemetucson.org/pyp

Prance Your Pup Fun Walk and Adoption Event

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4

WHERE: Ann Day Community Park, 7601 N. Mona Lisa Drive, Tucson

COST: Visit website for information INFO: rescuemetucson/pyp; deb@rescuemetucson.org

get back out in the world, are now beginning to balk. In the latest annual North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study published by J.D. Power, overall hotel guest satisfaction dropped significantly from 2021, concluding that “hotel guests are feeling like they are paying more, but not getting more in return.”

“We were on a sugar high during the recovery, with the pent-up demand for travel driving pricing, inflation, all those type of things,” admitted Graeme Hughes, executive vice president of Visit Tucson, the nonprofit marketing arm for the City of Tucson, Pima County and the town of Oro Valley. According to Hughes, revenue per available room (RevPAR) in Tucson increased by a whopping 31% from 2021 to 2022. “That’s reflective of a couple of things. One, how far down the market went in the depths of the pandemic, and then how quickly and robustly it rebounded.”

When it did, Hughes says prices rose to limit bookings to a manageable level.

“We saw unprecedented demand, and the industry struggled to meet that demand, working with limited staffing, et cetera,” Hughes said. “And I think (hotels) used price as a way to sort of tamp that down. Like, ‘Well, if we set the prices higher, then we’ll be able to handle it.’ But people came anyway, right? So the pricing model, which has historically been used as a deterrent, actually fed that recovery

and inflation, because people were buying it and they didn’t care what it cost.”

In the meantime, according to the Deloitte report, many hotels have delayed renovations as persistent supply chain challenges are still making it difficult for some properties to invest in upgrades. So travelers are encountering not just staffing shortages (it’s not uncommon now for housekeeping services to be limited to just a couple cleanings per week) but also accommodations in hotels that are in dire need of repair.

To counter that, Tucson attractions have been working overtime to make the stay worth the time and money.

“The variety of environments that we have in southern Arizona is really amazing,” said Michael Foltz, operator of Reisen Arizona Day Tours, who offers personally guided tours of downtown Tucson as well as sites like Kartchner Caverns, San Xavier del Bac Mission and Mission San Jose de Tumacacori, the Old Tucson theme park, Tombstone and Bisbee, Southern Arizona wineries and Mount Lemmon.

“In the summertime, I really promote the Mount Lemmon tour,” Foltz said. “Because that’s always 25 to 30 degrees cooler than Tucson. I mean, two weeks ago I did a Mount Lemmon tour, and the high temperature there was 72 degrees. That same day it was 105 in Tucson. It’s crazy, but it’s only 30 miles away.”

Foltz also offers tours in German

outdoor attractions were the first to come back, but slowly and surely, the museums and theaters, too, each figured out how to get their employees back safely and reopen to the public.”

Hughes says Tucson’s wide variety of attractions are what has kept its tourism industry afloat.

of tax credits for film production finally passed state approval last year), Tucson has more recently become a destination for techy types enamored with the future.

“Whether it’s the campus of the University of Arizona, which has the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium and the Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory, Steward Observatory, or the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter, astronomy really remains at the forefront of our scientific or intellectual offerings as a destination, and so we lean heavily into that,” said Hughes.

(during high school, he did some semesters there as an exchange student), and says a segment of Europeans actually come to Arizona to experience our extreme heat. “A lot of people from Europe think that the heat here is a novelty. And they have a choice: If they want to get heat, they can come to Arizona, Death Valley or the Middle East. Most people consider Arizona the safest choice.”

Moulton says while some attractions in southern Arizona never managed to reopen after the forced closures of 2020, most have survived.

“Only one small theater group didn’t reopen,” he said. “The rest of ‘em opened up for a few days a week at first, or limited hours, but they made it through. The

“Tucson always was known as a destination that featured access to outdoors, whether it’s hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking or bird watching,” he said. “So we were a natural for people looking to vacation when travel started opening up, because they didn’t want to be in large urban destinations, they wanted access to outdoors. And mountains, trails, nature are all the things that Tucson had always promoted.”

In recent years, the region has also received a lot of recognition for its food. “New York Times Magazine put us on their top 53 places to visit in 2023, and one of the reasons they cited was the outstanding culinary scene,” Hughes said. While tourists still flock to southern Arizona for its Old West flavor (and Hughes says the Old Tucson film studio is back at work since the long-awaited approval

“We’re also very heavily immersed in the military reunion market segment, and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the Pima Air and Space Museum are huge draws for those visitors. So our attractions are really kind of across the board, there’s a lot going on.”

While the hospitality industry may be scrambling to get the quality of its offerings up to the demand, Hughes said Tucson isn’t slowing down on hotel construction.

“If you look at our inventory since the depths of the pandemic, we’ve increased our availability by over a thousand new hotel rooms in the broader marketplace,” he said – mostly around the Tucson Convention Center, adding that convention business is also booming once again.

“I don’t necessarily see pricing changing that much or going back down,” Hughes added. “I just don’t see it increasing any more at that accelerated rate.”

Cave

Moulton

Student Chronicles

BY TUCSON LOCAL MEDIA STAFF

Know of a student doing something remarkable? Tell us about it! Email christina@timeslocalmedia.com

More than 10,500 University of Maryland Global Campus students were named to the dean’s list for the spring semester. To be eligible for the honor at the Adelphi, Maryland, school, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC. Among them are Ernesto Lorenzo Rivero of Marana, and Yazmin Rogers of Tucson.

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the

higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers.

The following local students have been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2023 semester at Washington University in St. Louis.

Jad Bader of Tucson is enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences. To qualify for the dean’s list in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Danika Strayhorn of Tucson is enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences. To qualify for the dean’s list in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Brook Wang of Tucson is enrolled in the Olin Business School. To qual-

ify for the dean’s list in the Olin Business School, students must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Washington University in St. Louis is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching, research, patient care and service to society.

The university draws students to St. Louis from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. The total student body is more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

The approximately 4,300 faculty teach in eight schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, McKelvey School of Engineering, School of Law, School of

Medicine and University College. The university has been affiliated with 26 Nobel laureates, many of whom did a significant portion of their award-winning work at the university.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

Sophomore Pamela E. Galindo of Tucson was named to the 2023 spring semester dean’s list at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade-point average.

Fall Arts Preview

Tucson awaits a plethora of productions

Visual Arts

BY MARGARET REGAN

Tucson Local Media Contributor

After Tucson’s hottest July since 1895, and the simmering days of August, it’s about time to get out of your home air conditioning and get into the wonderful art galleries and museums in the city.

There are multitudes of visual art, dance, theater, music and poetry ready to be enjoyed. The Arizona Biennial at the Tucson Museum of Art is still up. MOCA has a new partnership with Tohono O’Odham Community College. Exciting new arts venues have popped up all over in historic Barrio Viejo. Even the old Teatro Carmen on Meyer Street is finally being restored. Also of interest, new arts leaders have come to town. The Tucson Museum of Art brought in a new director, Nora

Diedrich, the former director of the Newport Art Museum in Rhode Island. The UA Museum of Art elevated Olivia Miller — she who brought back the missing Willem de Kooning’s “Woman Ochre.” Now Miller has the top job as director and curator.

Across the street, at the Center for Creative Photography, Todd Tubutis came from the Art Museum of West Virginia

University to take over the directorship of the CCP. But there’s more than one new face at this renowned photography museum and archive: Emilia Mickevicius. After a stint at the prized San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, this young scholar brings her youthful expertise and energy to Tucson.

DOWNTOWN

Tucson Museum of Art

by erasing figures with white-out. Those who have died of COVID-19 are no longer in the frames. see will be lecturing about her work at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7. Strasburger describes himself as an “old-school realist.” His painting “The Stone Throwers” is a lovely oil, with delicate desert colors, from pale blue skies to sandy beige. Five people, despite the beauty of the painting, are preparing to throw stones, in “a timeless act of aggression and desperation,” he says. Chief curator, Julie Sasse, noted, “Not only can he paint like a master, his themes resonate with deep emotion and narrative.” Sasse’s other favorites include Ann Morton, a fiber artist; Heather Green, a poet and environmentalist; Kate Breakey,

If you haven’t seen the Arizona Biennial 2023 yet, get yourself to the Tucson Museum of Art. The show has been up since April and is coming down on Oct. 1. Every two years, the museum has a juried exhibition of artists exclusively from Arizona. This year, 56 artists fill the main gallery with wildly different images. Guest curator Taina Caragol, from the National Portrait Gallery in D.C., specializes in Latinx and Latin American art. But she has created a show with all kinds of work. Take, for example, two Tucson artists, lydia see, who experiments with old family photos, and George Strasburger, a realist oil painter.

lydia see’s piece, “Let no one say we were not here,” expresses grief for those who died during COVID-19 time. She made an installation filled with small family photos in black and white. They show babies in arms, brides and grooms, and old aunties holding hands. But she defaces many of these images of happy family and friends

Arizona Biennial 2023 artist lydia see. (Tucson Museum of Art/Submitted)

Left, “Altered Cane” vase by John Geci; above, “Twisty Eclipse” bowl by Geci. (Philabaum Glass Gallery/Submitted)

master of photography; and David Taylor, whose extraordinary photos document the horrors of what we do to migrants in the Arizona deserts.

MOCA: Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson

MOCA is back open after a summer hiatus. On Sept. 21, they resume their regular third-Thursday special events, with the galleries open for free, food trucks and a conversation on what we can do for the Sonoran Desert, guided by poetry, dance and music.

The popular installation, Cecilia Vicuña’s “Sonoran Quipu,” continues through Oct. 1. Her piece, a “sprawling sculpture composed of found materials,” has inspired a new show by four collaborators, in a partnership with Tohono O’odham Community College. On Thursday, Sept. 14, the extension will open at the college, which is an hour’s drive west of Tucson at milepost 125 in Sells.

The big fall exhibition, “Magma and Pearls: Oceans Rise and Fall Like

Meteorites,” by Keioui Keijaun Thomas, opens Oct. 20. In her first solo appearance in a museum, Thomas explores identity, climate catastrophe and imaginary

new landscapes in a show that features video, sculpture, performance and what she calls “community-generated programming.”

Closes in February.

Blue Lotus Arts Collective

Blue Lotus wowed Tucson last spring at the opening of this first gallery in town devoted to Black artists. On opening night, a huge crowd filled the gallery, housed in the old Pioneer Hotel building, and spilled out onto Pennington Street. The work of the eight Black artists that were shown that night is still on view until the end of September. The artists include Tucson’s Willie Bonner and Allison Miller.

Dynamic board president Laura Pendleton-Miller has announced a new solo show that opens Nov. 3. The artist, Nikesha Breeze, paints haunting images of Black men and women, some that seem set in the days of slavery and some that seem timeless. “Grandfather,” is a loving portrait of a white-bearded man, while “The

Lynching” is a horrifying image of a young man whose body is still hanging down from a tree. She has exhibited internationally and nationally and has won all kinds of prizes. An upcoming work of hers will be a permanent installation in Montgomery, Alabama, at The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration.

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery and Workshop

Raices, a Latino cooperative gallery that invites everyone, is opening the fall with “Mezcla,” Spanish for “mixture.” The variety of works by 56 artists include paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, mixed-media and photographs. The show will be up until Oct. 7, with regular gallery hours 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“Large Black Sail” by Hokanson Dix. (Philabaum Glass Gallery/Submitted)

SEPT

9 Cirque Inextremiste: EXIT

BEYOND WONDER

Experience Unexpected

Discover the best artists from around the world this fall. You won’t always know what to expect. And that’s the point.

25-28 Michael Mwenso

Community Listening

SEPT 30-NOV 5 Los Trompos

OCT

12 Nano Stern Sings Victor Jara

21 Las Cafeteras: Hasta La Muerte

26 Manual Cinema: Frankenstein

28 Amal Walks Across America

28 David Cross: Worst Daddy in the World Tour

4-10 TenWest Festival

5 Parsons Dance NOV

Contreras Gallery and Jewelry

Eight painters will show their work in a new show that opens on Sept. 2 and runs through Oct. 28.

Steinfeld Warehouse Community Arts Center

The old Downtown warehouse is filled with small galleries. They include Untitled, Seven-Legged Spider Gallery and Steinfeld Gallery and Studios. You never know just which ones will be open for their regular Art Walks, but give it a try on the first Saturday of every month from 4 to 9 p.m.

From 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 7, Seven-Legged Gallery will hold its annual Clothing and Fabric Swap, “Time to Clean Out the Closet and Get Ready for the Season!”

On Sept. 18, Untitled Gallery will start up its regular life drawing classes held on the first and third Mondays from 6 to 9 p.m. Member Inna Rohr says the gallery hopes to reopen on Oct. 6. Stay tuned.

WEST SIDE

Pima Community College West

Artist Louis Carlos Bernal was a beloved teacher of photography at Pima County Community College. The extraordinary photos he created beautifully documented the lives and memories of Mexican Americans in Tucson, Douglas and other towns in Southern Arizona. He died in 1993, but his work comes back to life in an exhibition this fall at the gallery named in his honor.

In a wonderful twist, the gallery has invited Patricia Preciado Martin, a renowned writer and local historian, to be part of the show. Her books about Tucson go as far back as the early 1900s; now her written work will be alongside Bernal’s photos. Martin will give a lecture at 6 p.m. Sept. 13, in Recital Hall, on the PCC campus. The show started on Sept. 5 and closes Oct. 6. Next year,

we can look forward to a retrospective of Bernal’s photographs at the Center of Creative Photography.

The next show at Pima, “Women in Nature,” is an all-photography exhibition with work by Alejandra Platt-Torres, Maya Goded and Bremner Benedict. Goded and Benedict will pair up for a lecture on Nov. 1. Runs Oct. 3 to Dec.8.

Pima Community College Desert Vista Art Gallery

Jason Stone was an Air Force rescue specialist whose job was to save soldiers amid the horror of the Vietnam War. He is also a photographer, and he documented what he saw. Now the PCC Desert Vista campus southwest of town is showing “Photography of the Vietnam War,” Stone’s black and white photos. Through Jan. 26.

BARRIO VIEJO

Etherton Gallery

You may not know the name Dan Budnik, but he was a Tucson photojournalist who made powerful images of the civil rights movement. He also

Jessica James Lansdon; “Untitled (Garden),” 2023. (Tucson Museum of Art/Submitted)

photographed great American artists, the likes of Georgia O’Keefe, Willem de Kooning and Jasper Johns. Budnik died in 2020. In homage, Terry Etherton organized a show of his work from the 1950s to the 1970s. This must-see show was up much of the summer, but it will close Sept. 16.

The big show opening up the fall season is Alice Briggs’ “El Sueño de Razón/ The Sleep of Reason.” Briggs is a mighty artist who for years has made horrifying pictures of the troubles in Ciudad Juarez — images of kidnappers, murderers and the dead. Most of her work is sgraffito on panel, a scratch technique that goes back to the Renaissance. A handful are mixed media. All are dark, in shades of black and gray, with a few splashes of color. Sept. 19 to Nov. 25. A second artist, Kitty Brophy, has an unusual set of works she calls “In the Cases: Sketchbook Drawings.” Brophy now lives in Tucson, but she spent a wild time in the 1970s and 1980s in the art and fashion scene in New York’s

East Village. Her nine fire-engine red prints each bear one of her poems. One, called “Man,” has 19 lines of witty wordplay from Man to Manhandle to Manatee. In contrast, the poem, “The Book of Female Don’ts,” is a long weary list of admonitions: Don’t frown you will get wrinkles; Don’t tell your story; Don’t break the rules.

Since 2021, when Terry Etherton moved his gallery from Fifth Avenue to Convent Street, other gallerists have joined the fun in the neighborhood. Here’s a sampling.

Andrew Smith Gallery

Next door to Etherton, the Andrew Smith Gallery also shows highly regarded photographs. The upcoming exhibition, “Signs of Sovereignty,” is the work of Zig Jackson. A native of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribal nations, Jackson took black and white photos all over the remote West with landscapes of open space. He photographed highway signs marking the entrances to Indian reservations. These pictures are strong reminders that these lands belong to

Native Americans. Each and every tribe has its reservation name on its sign (Fort Belkap, Picuris), but the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation at Four Corners goes much farther. Its sign has a list of rules for outsiders (Liquor and Firearms Strictly Prohibited; Salesmen Must Have Permission of the Tribal Council). Another set of photographs is of signs for roadside attractions that sell moccasins, jewelry and other souvenirs that lure tourists. Ironically, many of these shoppers likely know little of contemporary Native life.

Photographer Patrick Nagatani, who taught Jackson at the University of New Mexico, shows interesting images, meshing junky old cars with real archaeological sites.

Open from Sept. 23 to Nov. 25.

Decode Gallery

Decode Gallery, one of the other new galleries on Convent Street, is planning a show called “Grayscale.” The interesting twist is that artists are invited to send in their work beforehand and the gallery will choose their favorite pieces

for exhibition. Oct. 14 to Nov. 4.

Studio Light Space

Studio Light Space, also on Convent Street, is showing works all through September by Ben Dallas with an opening reception on Sept. 23. Closes Sept. 30.

Bahti Indian Arts

Bahti Indian Arts is well-known for its exquisite Native arts: Navajo textiles, Hopi fetishes, Tohono O’Odham baskets and Pueblo silver jewelry. Mark Bahti has had galleries in the Tucson Foothills and Santa Fe. The big news now is these treasures are also on display here in the barrio. Like Dr. Seuss, you can say you saw it on Convent Street.

FIVE POINTS

Philabaum Glass Gallery

Everyone is excited about Barrio Viejo right now, but nearby Five Points is see VISUAL ARTS page 16

for workshops, talks and screenings for the university and the community.

another happening place. You can easily walk from Convent Street to Stone and South Sixth to find restaurants, murals, shops, five new arches and a statue of Cesar Chavez.

And Five Points is the home of the beloved Tucson arts landmark, the Philabaum Glass Gallery. Alison Harvey, who took over Philabaum several years ago, says it’s going great. Her next show, “Boundless,” stars four out-of-town glass artists.

Joseph Enszo, from Portland (which, by the way, is a great place for glass art), is bringing multiple glass bowls in shimmering colors of blue, gold and a delicious purple. And that’s only a few of the hues.

The duo Bengt Hokanson and Trefny Dix from Long Island say they use a combination of Italian and Swedish techniques to make their sculptures in glass. To me, the vessels have a shape that reminds me of Ottoman domes and mosques.

John Geci of Bakersville, North Carolina, prefers “rich colors and a few wellplaced stripes.”

A piece he calls “Twisty Eclipse Bowl” is a masterpiece of beautiful but quiet blues in motion.

Oct. 14 to Jan. 20.

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Center for Creative Photography

The Center for Creative Photography has brought out one of its greatest treasures: the works of W. Eugene Smith, one of the most revered photojournalists of the twentieth century. He’s known especially for his work in Life Magazine and for Magnum. The CCP has selected 45 photos from five of his series: “World War II,” “Nurse Midwife,” “Jazz Loft,” “Hitachi Corporation” and “Minamata.” Smith mostly lived in New York, but when he was 58, in 1977, the UA invited him to move to Tucson to teach photography and organize his huge archive. His stay was short. He died less than a year later, but his works were saved. Closes March 2.

Also of interest, in November, the CCP will open Studio CCP, a new event space

UA Museum of Art

An interesting show of 30 weavings and paintings by Marlowe Katoney, a member of the Diné/Navajo nation, is the highlight of the fall. He lives in Winslow. Katoney learned to weave from his grandmother in 2010 and since then he has been making textiles that are both traditional and contemporary. After studying painting at the UA, he now makes extraordinary hybrid works. One weaving in the show, “Tucson-Memento,” has a modern image of a young man rapping in a desert landscape alongside traditional Native motifs of birds and plants.

Oct 14 to March 23.

Thirty artists hailing from Tucson, El Paso and Albuquerque were invited to create art prints for the exhibition “Desert Triangle Print Carpeta.” The works have been up all summer and will run until Dec. 21.

“The Vault Show: Staff Picks” is already up. The museum’s workers had the opportunity to select their favorite art from the permanent collection and put them on the walls.

Closes on Sept. 30.

Arizona State Museum

“Weaving Has a Heartbeat” has been a two-year project for Indigenous interns to work with elder traditional weavers. Much of their work is online, which allows more people to see what they’ve been doing, but ASM has posted photographs and a colorful rug in a small gallery at the museum.

“Aliento a Tequila/The Spirit of Tequila” arrives on Nov. 14. Joel Salcido, a photographer from El Paso, has shot images of barrel rooms, agave fields and commercial distilleries alongside artisanal shops. Don’t ask me if you can get a sip! Closes Jan. 6.

Rombach Gallery

The Rombach Gallery at the UA School of Fine Arts is exhibiting “Para Seguir Adelante: Stories of Migration.” Four artists have documented the travails of

OCTOBER 14, 2023–FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Presenting nearly 2,000 years of textile arts in the Andes, this exhibition explores the role of woven works in navigating social relationships and processes of memory.

Additional programs, events, and resources related to CUMBI can be found at TucsonMuseumofArt.org

CUMBI: Textiles, Society, and Memory in Andean South America is accompanied by a full-color catalogue available for purchase at the Museum Store.

CUMBI: Textiles, Society, and Memory in Andean South America is made possible through the generous support of the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation and is presented by Kit and Dan Kimball with additional support from the Latin American Art Patrons, Kathi and Doug Sanders, and Bonnie Wehle.

Carolyn Castaño, Ruana & Mantel, 2023, watercolor on paper, acrylic, appliqués, and mixed media on canvas. Courtesy of the Artist and Walter Maciel Gallery. Photo: Amy L. Tierney / Thrive Images.

migrants: photographers Lisa Elmaleh, Moysés Zuñiga Santiago and Anahí González Terán, and painter Luis Sotero.

The show runs from Sept. 14 to Sept. 29, but there will be a community roundtable on Sept. 21, to be hosted by Elmaleh, Isabel Garcia, founder of Derechos Humanos, and Raquel Rubio Goldsmith, retired UA professor of Mexican American Studies.

MIDTOWN

Everybody Gallery

Housed in a cheerful old-time bungalow on Grant Road, Everybody Gallery will show two Tucson-born artists. Nika Kaiser will have a new video installation. Informed by her upbringing in the Sonoran borderlands, she writes that her work draws on folklore, future ecologies and a lineage of Jewish diaspora.

Adán de la Garza, who now lives in Denver, also makes videos. But this time around, he is showing his photographs from the last five years. Sept. 16 to Oct. 28.

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

Albanese, who makes watercolors of desert landscapes.

EAST SIDE

Tucson Desert Art Museum

The Tucson Desert Art Museum has continuing shows about American life: Native American Murals, Pioneer Women of the West and Migrant Stories in the New Deal. Two exhibitions, Japanese American Incarceration Camps and Desert Hollywood, will end in November.

Four Corners, the museum’s gallery and gift shop, has pieces by the Tucson Barrio Painters Group and other artists. Southwestern jewelry by a variety of makers is also on sale.

FOOTHILLS

Tohono Chul Gallery

The current featured artist, Faye Crowe, uses oils to make rich landscapes that recall the Impressionists. Her painting, “Overview,” highlights the glorious reds and yellows of the desert mountains against the blues of the sky.

Settlers West

Settlers West is devoted to realist paintings and sculptures. The upcoming exhibition, “The Great American West,” will feature no fewer than 50 artists. Just for one, William Acheff, paints photograph-like still lifes in oil. His piece, “Generations,” is a gorgeous rendering of three Native pots. Nov. 18 to Dec. 2.

Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery

This fun museum is filled with tiny dioramas, many centuries old and many quite contemporary. Many of these are always on display, but the current exhibition is of oil and pastel paintings by Carolyn Robles and Deborah Sliker, her mother. Closes Feb. 4. Here’s a tip: the museum is great for children at Christmas time!

Tohono Chul Gallery has already begun its popular Día de los Muertos exhibit. The beloved Mexican celebration of those who have gone to rest always fills cemeteries with flowers, butterflies, skeletons, foods and other gifts for the dead. At the gallery, a host of Arizona artists honor these traditional elements with their own contemporary vision. Included are works by Elisa Salgado, Kristin Harvey, Chuck LaVoie and Karen Wright.

Closes Nov. 5.

Separately on view, Betsy Babb offers the colored-pencil drawings she began during the COVID-19 shutdown.

The Medicine Man Gallery is well-known for its exquisite Native American Art, from paintings and pottery to jewelry and blankets. In October, Cochiti Pueblo painter, Mateo Romero, will show colorful depictions of life in his ancestral homelands in the Rio Grande Valley. Along with sweeping landscapes, Romero paints Pueblo women in traditional dress.

Sublette also has a collection of historic and contemporary Western painters and photographers. His collection of Maynard Dixon paintings, prints and memorabilia is a kind of museum within the gallery.

JCC: Tucson Jewish Community Center

Closes Nov. 5.

Madaras Gallery

If you’ve flown into Terminal B at Tucson Airport this summer, you have seen a whole wall of Diana Madaras’ paintings. A popular local artist, Madaras makes bright paintings of Southwest buildings, plants and animals. At her mid-town gallery, she invites other painters to show their work, including Chuck

If you hurry, until Sept. 10, you can still see glass sculptures by artist Sharon Holnback. She’s also famous for her annual art Glow, a magical art evening under the full moon at the Triangle L Ranch in Oracle. This year, Glow falls on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28.

Jane Hamilton Fine Arts Gallery

Jane Hamilton’s Gallery showcases colorful Southwest paintings by dozens of artists.

The admired outdoor Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden is always up, but the JCC has three indoor exhibitions this fall. The Work of Arts for All highlights canvas paintings by adults with disabilities. The show goes through Sept. 17.

Starting Sept. 21, an indoor sculpture bonanza called “Sculpt” will run through Oct. 29. And on Nov. 2, Contemporary Artists of Southern Arizona offers a group show that runs to Dec. 10.

UA alumna, Megan Garcia, shown with Luke Romanzi, will dance with Parsons Dance at Centennial Hall on Sunday, Nov. 5. (Parsons Dance/Submitted)

Dance

BY MARGARET REGAN

Tucson Local Media Contributor

Balanchine is coming to Tucson twice this fall! George Balanchine, of course, has been dead for many years, but worldwide he’s still the top ballet choreographer. And two Tucson troupes are doing his pieces in the same month no less. In November, both Ballet Tucson and the UA School of Dance are performing one of Balanchine’s most beloved and difficult pieces, “Serenade,” with music by Tchaikovsky. Ballet Tucson is doing another Balanchine, “Divertimento No. 15,” with music from Mozart. UA School of Dance is doing just the one Balanchine, but no

worries. They also will be dancing a work by the late Martha Graham, the extraordinary modern dancer and choreographer. They will be performing her “Diversion of Angels.”

Tucson used to have small modern companies all around town, and they are missed, but it’s exciting to see these two local ensembles thriving. And, not too shabby, the UA’s Arizona Arts Live is bringing in Parsons Dance, a famed modern troupe. Here’s the rundown of the fall season for dance lovers.

UA School of Dance

The first performance is the annual Jazz in AZ/One Act, One Hour, danced by UA faculty and guests at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre. Oct. 3 to Oct. 6. Next up is the big show with the legendary pieces by Martha Graham and George Balanchine. Amazingly,

see DANCE page 20

TUCSON POPS ORCHESTRA

D eMees t er Outdoor P

Center

2023 FALL CONCERT SERIES

SEPTEMBER 10, 17, 24

There is no charge to come to our 2023 concerts. Donations are highly encouraged.

UA School of Dance rehearses for the Martha Graham ballet “Diversion of Angels.” (UA School of Dance/Submitted)

DANCE from page 19

the dancers will perform the two works in a challenging run of 10 shows over two weekends, Nov. 8 to Nov. 12 and Nov. 15 to Nov. 19. If that’s not exciting enough, the UA is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Stevie Eller Dance Th eatre.

To round out the fall, “Flow/ Student Spotlight” showcases UA student choreographers. Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. For tickets, call 520621-3341.

UA Arizona Arts Live

For UA’s Homecoming Weekend, Arizona Arts Live brings Parsons Dance to Centennial Hall. Two alumni who studied at the School of Dance, Megan Garcia and Christian Paris Blue, are now members of this distinguished company. Th ey will be performing that night and the current crop of student dancers will surely be there to cheer them on. Founded in 1985, this New York-based troupe is one of the great modern dance ensembles. Th ey have performed in more than 445 cities on fi ve continents,

in storied venues the likes of the Sydney Opera House. Nov. 5. $39-$69 at Ticketmaster and the Centennial Hall Box Offi ce.

Ballet Tucson

Ballet Tucson begins its fall, as usual, with “The Footprints” competition at the Fox Tucson Theatre Downtown. To nurture new talents, each year some company dancers are invited to choreograph their own dance works and their colleagues perform them. When dancing ends, the audience at this popular show takes a vote to choose their favorite piece. The winner gets to have their dance performed again in the Spring concert in March.

7 p.m. Sept. 28. Tickets are $30.

Th e fall concert, bookended by two Balanchine dances, is the season highlight. Th e opening piece is “Divertimento No. 15,” graced with music by Mozart, and the closer, “Serenade” with music by Tchaikovsky. In between these extraordinary pieces is a Ballet Tucson premiere. “Klein Per-

spectives” by Andrea Schermoly is a pas de deux set to the music of Bach and Vivaldi. A modern composer, Olafur Arnalds, has added his own music to the score in a suite adapted from Chopin. Choreographer Schermoly was trained in South Africa and has been making dances for the Louisville Ballet since 2018.

Th e dancers will perform these works four times over the weekend of Nov. 17 to Nov. 19 at the Leo Rich Th eater. Tickets are $30 to $50 at Ticketmaster and the TCC Box Offi ce.

In December (as always!) comes Ballet Tucson’s “Nutcracker.” Th is year, the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall is the place to see Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen and other old friends — not to mention the Christmas tree that rises to the rafters and spectacular costumes in Christmas colors. For the second year, Ballet Tucson partners with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra so patrons can hear the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky live.

Dec. 21 to Dec. 23. $30 to $100 on Ticketmaster and the TCC Box Offi ce.

Live Music

BY BANNON CLARK

Tucson Local Media Staff

With fall and winter right around the corner, prepare for musical fun in Tucson. You have a chance to enjoy an array of performances this season. Here’s a sneak peek into what’s in store for eager ears.

• Known for his dry wit and observational humor. Nate Bargatze, Sept. 7, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, tucsonmusichall. org

• Numerous worship songs and hits for those interested in Christian music. Chris Tomlin, Sept. 8, Tucson Arena, tucsonmusichall.org

• Recognized for bass-heavy tracks and energetic performances. Marauda, Sept. 8, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Celebrates emo and pop-punk music with guest DJs and live bands. Emo Night Brooklyn, Sept. 8, 191 Toole, 191toole. com

• Blues rock artist with soulful vocals and masterful guitar skills. Eric Johanson, Sept. 10, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Known for her emotive and melodic jazz performances. Keiko Matsui, Sept. 12, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Tucson Folk Fest Presents Songwriter Roundtable, Sept. 12, The Century Room

• Known for their influential contributions to metal. Max & Iggor Cavalera, Sept. 14, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Unique and theatrical approach to alt-country. Roselit Bone, Sept. 14, Hotel Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Intense metalcore. Decayer, Sept. 14, The Rock, rocktucson.com

• Energetic live rock shows. Foxy Shazam, Sept. 15, Club Congress, hotelcongress. com

• Honors Johnny Cash through live performances. The Man In Black: A Tribute To Johnny Cash, Sept. 15, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Blending humor and rock elements into

live shows. Bored Teachers, Sept. 15, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Recognized for heavy drops and dynamic sets in bass music. Subtronics, Sept. 16, The Slaughter House, slaughterhousetucson.com

• Celebrates and recognizes achievements in the local hip-hop scene. Second Tucson Hip-Hop Awards Show, Sept. 16, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Innovative soundscapes in electronic and ambient music. Tangerine Dream, Sept. 17, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre. com

• Laidback yet powerful musical approach in reggae and rock. Mike Pinto, Sept. 17, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Atmospheric and immersive sonic experiences in dark synth. Troller, Sept. 18, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Unique sound blending rock, folk and experimental elements in indie rock. Modest Mouse, Sept. 19, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Rich history of hits and intricate musical arrangements in classic rock. Kansas, Sept. 19, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson. com

• Men at Work lead singer. Colin Hay, Sept. 19, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, tucsonmusichall.org

• Dynamic and energetic stage presence in hip-hop. Prof, Sept. 19, 191 Toole

• Continues the legacy of Texas blues with blues guitar and vocals. Jimmie Vaughan, Sept. 20, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Traditional sound with modern edge in blues. GA-20, Sept. 20, Hotel Congress Plaza, hotelcongress.com

• Radio-friendly hits and diverse sound in rock. Daughtry, Sept. 21, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Raw and honest approach to storytelling in country singer-songwriting. Cody Jinks, Sept. 21, Encore, encoretucson.com

• Pushing boundaries in sound and performance in experimental art. Kurt Travis, Sept. 21, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• High-energy live presence in rock ‘n’ roll. Dash Rip Rock, Sept. 21, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Humor and engaging stage personality in comedy. Hannah Berner, Sept. 21, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Blend of rock and country influences in southern rock. The Steel Woods, Sept. 22, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Comedic versatility and lively performances in stand-up comedy. Matteo Lane, Sept. 22, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• A rock band known for their energetic live performances. Sweeping Promises, Sept. 23, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Join the Gasolina Party and dance the night away to its energetic live performance. Sept. 23, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Shadow & the Thrill, Sept. 23, The Rock, rocktucson.com

• Generationals and Ramesh, Sept. 24, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Hip-hop and rap artists who combine their talents for an unforgettable live performance. Tyga, YG and Saweetie, Sept. 28, Tucson Arena, tucsonmusichall.org

• Cowgirl Clue, Kumo 99 and glixen, Sept. 28, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Calabrese, Sept. 28, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• A music festival featuring various metal artists, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Metal Fest 26, Sept. 29, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Carlos Ballarta, Sept. 30, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Alice.km and NGHTFVR, Sept. 30, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

Oct. 7th, 5:30-9:00 PM

Auction • Photo Ops Tasty Treats • Souvenirs

5th Anniversary

SIGN ART MUSEUM

Chris Botti. (Fox Tucson Theatre/Submitted)

Chris Daughtry. (Fox Tucson Theatre/Submitted)

As We Speak: Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer, featuring Rakesh Chaurasia. (Fox Tucson Theatre/Submitted)

Get the Led Out. (Fox Tucson Theatre/Submitted)

• The Tallest Man on Earth, Oct. 1, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• AJJ, Sad Park and Foot Ox, Oct. 1, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Geoff Tate, Oct. 3, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Josh Ritter and Sarah Harmer, Oct. 4, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Trish Toledo, Oct. 4, Hotel Congress Plaza, hotelcongress.com

• Cradle of Filth, DevilDriver, Ill Niño, Black Satellite and Savage Existence, Oct. 5, Encore, encoretucson.com

• Experience Trey Kennedy, Oct. 5, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Immerse yourself in Asking Alexandria, Oct. 6, The Rock, rocktucson.com

• The Happy Fits and Hot Freaks, Oct. 6, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, accompanied by Deanna Bogart, Oct. 6, Hotel Congress Plaza, hotelcongress.com

• The Black Angels and The Dandy Warhols, Oct. 7, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Fear Factory, Lions at the Gate and The Stands. Oct. 7, Encore, encoretucson.com

• Milly, Oct. 8, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Suicide Silence, Oct. 10, Encore, encoretucson.com

• Cheap Trick, Oct. 11, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Neil Frances and Tav Falco’s Panther Burns, Oct. 11, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Carnifex, Signs of the Swarm, To the Grave and The Last Ten Seconds of Life, Oct. 11, The Rock, rocktucson.com

• Country artist Flatland Cavalry, Oct. 12, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Dexter and The Moonrocks, Oct. 12, Encore, encoretucson.com

• Saliva and Drowning Pool, Oct. 13, Encore, encoretucson.com

• Luna Luna, Michael Seyer and fearofmakingout, Oct. 13, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Randy Rainbow, Oct. 13, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Disco beats with Gimme Gimme Disco and Ritt Momney. Oct. 13, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Parmalee, Oct. 14, Desert Diamond Casino, ddcaz.com

• Thanos Petrelis, Oct. 14, Tucson Arena, tucsonmusichall.org

• Female Gaze and Hookie, Oct. 14, Hotel Congress Plaza, hotelcongress.com

• Emo Nite, Oct. 14, 191 Toole

• Hairball, Oct. 15, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Mike Dimes and Dro Kenji, Oct. 15, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Oct. 17, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Djunah, Oct. 17, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Chris Botti, Oct. 19, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Jawny, Oct. 20, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Ruben Studdard and Clay Aitken, Oct. 20, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Alice Cooper, Oct. 21, AVA Amphitheater, casinodelsol.com

• Mapache, Oct. 21, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Comedian Roy Wood Jr., Oct. 22, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Subhumans and Fea, Oct. 23, The Rock, rocktucson.com

• Pat Metheny, Oct. 24, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Little Miss Nasty and Sizzy Rocket, Oct. 24, Encore, encoretucson.com

• Steve Miller Band and Dave Mason, Oct. 25, Tucson Arena, tucsonmusichall.org

• Gipsy Kings, Oct. 25, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, tucsonmusichall.org

• KennyHoopla and Groupthink, Oct. 25, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Julieta Venegas, Oct. 26, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Amigo the Devil, Tejon Street Corner Thieves and David Ramirez, Oct. 27, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Mustard Service and Sitting on Stacy, Oct. 27, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• The Band of Heathens and The Watson Twins, Oct. 28, Hotel Congress Plaza, hotelcongress.com

• Casting Crowns, Oct. 29, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, tucsonmusichall.org

• Vance Gilbert, Oct. 29, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Rittz, Oct. 31, The Rock, rocktucson.com

• Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Amulets, Nov. 1, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Chelcie Lynn, Nov. 2, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown, Nov. 4, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Plini, Strawberry Girls and Standards, Nov. 5, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• St. Paul and The Broken Bones, accompanied by Maggie Rose, Nov. 6, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Black Jacket Symphony, Nov. 6, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, Nov. 7, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Noah Gundersen and Zander Hawley, Nov. 7, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Liz Phair and Blondshell, Nov. 8, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Wishbone Ash, Nov. 8, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Drive-By Truckers and Early James at Hotel Congress Plaza, Nov. 9, Hotel Congress Plaza, hotelcongress.com

• Rodney Crowell, Nov. 10, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Dusk Music Festival 2023, featuring DJ Snake, 311, Coin, Bad Suns, Seven Lions, Neil Frances, Shiba San and Young Rising Sons, Nov. 10 to Nov. 11, Jácome Plaza, vividseats.com

• Brujeria, Piñata Protest and No/Más, Nov. 3, The Rock, rocktucson.com

• Cameron Carpenter, Nov. 3, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Nov. 11, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Harlis Sweetwater Band, Nov. 11, Hotel Congress Plaza, hotelcongress.com

• The Walters, Nov. 13, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games, featuring Traveler (Scott Jeffers), Nov. 3 to Nov. 5, Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games, tucsoncelticfestival.org

• Billy Raffoul, Nov. 4, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• Becca Mancari, Nov. 13, Club Congress, hotelcongress.com

• A Giant Dog, Nov. 16, 191 Toole,

Come Grab a Drink at Tucson’s Oldest Bar!

Las Azaleas, above, are inspired by Selena, Natalia Lafourcade, Rocio Durcal and Maria Grever. (Fox Tucson Theatre/Submitted)

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Winston-Reynolds Manzanita Park

SUNDAY, OCT. 15 @ 2 p.m.

Madge Utterback Middle School

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Theater

BY BANNON CLARK

Tucson arts organizations are preparing their fall seasons with a good, solid mix of comedy, drama, new works and familiar tales. While some organizations are still working on the upcoming season and have not yet made announcements, others are ready to share all that they are working on.

Arizona Rose Theatre

4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 329

520-888-0509

arizonarosetheatre.com

A hilariously tipsy twist on the classic Bard. Introducing “Drunk Shakespeare,” Sept. 7 to Jan. 7

Arizona Theatre Company

343 S. Scott Avenue

520-884-8210

atc.org

• The romantic comedy unfolds. “Barefoot in the Park,” Sept. 23 to Oct. 13

• Holiday magic with Dickens’ classic tale. “Scrooge! The Musical,” Nov. 7 to Dec. 2

Broadway in Tucson Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Boulevard 520-903-2929 broadwayintucson.com

• Disney magic takes the stage. “Aladdin,” through Sept. 10

• Hilarious and irreverent. “The Book of

from page 22

191toole.com

• Iration, Artikal Sound System and Cydeways, Nov. 17, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• idontknowjeffery, Black Smurf and Mikey Rotten, Nov. 17, The Rock, rocktucson.com

• Drake White and William Clark Green, Nov. 18, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Durand Jones, Nov. 18, 191 Toole,

Mormon,” Sept. 15 to Sept. 17

• Electrifying journey of triumph. “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” Oct. 3 to Oct. 8

• Tempting tunes and drama. “Ain’t Too Proud: TheLife and Times of TheTemptations,” Nov. 28 to Dec. 3

Gaslight Theatre

7010 E. Broadway Boulevard 520-886-9428

thegaslighttheatre.com

• A magical adventure unfolds. “Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Secret,” through Nov. 5

• Heartwarming holiday tale. “A Smalltown Christmas,” Nov. 9 to Jan. 7

Rogue Theatre

300 E. University Boulevard, Suite 150 520-551-2053 theroguetheatre.org

191toole.com

• Comedian James “Murr” Murray, Nov. 18, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, tucsonmusichall.org

• Lindsey Stirling, Nov. 22, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, tucsonmusichall.org

• Autopsy, Exodus, Darkest Hour and Undeath, Nov. 26, Encore, encoretucson.com

• Jake Shimabukuro, Nov. 26, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Real Friends, Knuckle Puck and One Step Closer, Nov. 27, Rialto Theatre,

• A tale of love and longing. ”Heartbreak House,” Sept. 7 to Sept. 24

• Sci-fi journey of discovery. “The Left Hand of Darkness,” Nov. 2 to Nov. 19

Invisible Theatre 1400 N. First Avenue 520-884-0672 invisibletheatre.com

A culinary love story. “I Love to Eat (A Love Story with Food),” Sept. 7 to Sept. 9; Sept. 13 to Sept. 17

Live Theatre Workshop 3322 E. Fort Lowell Road 520-327-4242 livetheatreworkshop.org

A tale of transformation. “Hir,” Sept. 7 to Sept. 24

Scoundrel & Scamp 738 N. Fif Suite 131 520-448-3300

rialtotheatre.com

• Enjambre, Dec. 5, 191 Toole, 191toole.com

• The Musical Box, Dec. 5, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Jerry Douglas, Dec. 6, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Tommy Emmanuel, Dec. 6, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Dec. 9, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• The Midtown Men, Dec. 9, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

scoundrelandscamp.org

Time-traveling adventure. “A Wrinkle in Time,” Oct. 26 to Nov. 12

University of Arizona, School of Theatre Film & Television 1025 N. Olive Road, Suite 239 520-621-7008 theatre.arizona.edu

• A poignant journey. “The Laramie Project,” Oct. 7 to Oct. 22

• Satirical hilarity. “The Thanksgiving Play,” Oct. 8 to Oct. 22

• Musical masterpiece. “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Nov. 12 to Dec. 3

Linda Ronstadt Music Hall 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson 520-791-4101 tucsonmusichall.org

• A celebration of Mexican independence. “Mexican Independence Day Concert,” Sept. 15

• Melodic elegance. “Symphony Showcase,” Sept. 17

• Artistic brilliance. “Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition,” Sept. 22 to Sept. 24

• Iconic adventure, “Raiders of the Lost Ark In Concert,” Oct. 14 and Oct. 15

• Enchanting melodies of Rome. “Pines and Fountains of Rome,” Oct. 20 and Oct. 22

• Captivating compositions. “Ravel and Dvořák,” Nov. 10 and Nov. 12

• Musical tapestry of Scotland’s beauty. “Scottish Fantasy,” Dec. 1 and Dec. 3

• Festive enchantment. “Holiday Magic with Cirque de la Symphonie,” Dec. 9 and Dec. 10

• Timeless holiday magic. Ballet Tucson’s “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 21 to Dec. 23

• Rick Springfield, Dec. 14, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

• Canadian Brass, Dec. 16, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Pink Martini, Dec. 17, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Squirrel Nut Zippers, Dec. 23, Fox Tucson Theatre, foxtucson.com

• Blue Öyster Cult, Dec. 28, Rialto Theatre, rialtotheatre.com

Jake Letts, Ben Chavez, Adi Roy and Colt Prattes on the national tour of “Disney’s Aladdin.” (Deen van Meer/Contributor)

MUSIC

Tucson Local Media Staff

100+ ARTISTS

PERFORMING ON STAGES ALL OVER DOWNTOWN TUCSON!

PLUS, TJF JAZZ JAM, CENTURY ROOM LATE-NIGHTS, and the DOWNTOWN JAZZ FIESTA!

GRACE KELLY + LEO P • LEWIS NASH & THE SOUL JAZZ ALL-STARS • CALEXICO WITH TSO • BOSSA NOVA WAVE- KEN PEPLOWSKI & DIEGO FIGUEIREDO

ISAIAH J. THOMPSON • BILL CANTOS • MELANIE SCHOLTZ & AARON RIMBUI • LINDA MAY HAN OH • THE BLACK MARKET TRUST • LIZZY & THE TRIGGERMEN SEAN MASON QUARTET • DELBERT ANDERSON QUARTET • MICHAEL ZENÓN..AND MORE!

2SAXY

Bonnie Schock is the brains behind the theatre

BY KAREN SCHAFFNER

Putting together the new fall and spring lineup for the Fox Tucson Theatre is no easy task.

For programmer and Executive Director Bonnie Schock, it's like putting together a giant puzzle — except the pieces are always in motion.

“There are so many different aspects of how the puzzle comes together and who the players are involved in all of that,” she said. “It’s a complicated business.”

The Fox’s 2023-24 has something for everyone — and that’s Schock’s goal.

From finding the artists to booking them, creating contracts and finally getting them in front of an audience, this is her world.

Schock works in a neat, spacious, upstairs office in a building adjacent to the theater itself. She looks out of tall windows to a brick outer wall of the actual Fox building. From where she sits, she

can still see the sun, but more importantly she can see the semis that bring in the larger acts.

Sometimes artists reach out to her, but most of the time, it’s Schock who initiates the conversation.

“It’s a combination of a lot of different things, but it’s all based on relationships,” Schock said.

She likes to book far in advance.

“We try to have stuff confirmed a minimum of four to five months out; I like more time,” she added.

The Fox Tucson Theatre opened April 11, 1930, as a dual vaudeville/movie house. (Emily Pratt/Contributor)

If Schock had her way, she’d book a year out, primarily for advertising purposes. To fill the 1,164 seats, tickets must go on sale fairly far in advance.

“Six weeks before a show you’re out

there pushing and selling,” she said. “You really need three months.”

The Fox features a dozen different series or categories of acts, among them are four categories of “listening room” (country and Americana; jazz; singer-songwriter; and rhythm, blues, soul and gospel).

“Global journeys” includes a Merry-Achi Christmas featuring the Mariachi Sol De México de José Hernández. The Ten Tenors, Greatest Hits Live also falls into this category.

“Picture palace” is a movie category. An example is “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert,” which pairs a screening of the animated film with live musicians and turntables onstage.

Planned for Spanish-language events is Los Amantes Perfecto. There are more catgories: fine vintages, outburst comedy, family and youth, and regional artists and community events.

Schock keeps these categories in mind when she’s finding acts.

“We’re looking for different types of things that fit what we believe to be our role in the community,” Schock says. “We have a range of different things.”

Looking at the schedule, Schock was indeed busy last year. She just hired an

assistant programmer.

After acts are booked and they’ve arrived, they have to sleep and eat somewhere. Schock says a full-time staff member takes care of the artists.

“That ranges from their transportation needs while they’re here, to where is the bus going to park, to where does the bus driver sleep during the day when the show is loading in, because they’re going to leave and drive the bus at night,” Schock says.

“There’s food and catering and hotels. It depends on the contract. We could make the arrangements or the artist sleeps on the bus.”

Then there’s unloading and setup, sound checks, lighting, video screens. Sometimes the Fox must provide instruments such as drum kits that the artist may need but did not bring.

Then there’s the Fox Theatre itself.

Tucson audience members are not the only ones who admire the beautiful, Southwest art deco-style Fox Tucson Theatre ceiling. There’s even a custom chandelier. It is remarkable.

According to Jeff Rodenkirch, director of production and facilities, the first thing artists do when they step on to

Tucson Local Media Staff

Ferguson 10/8 Tickets Going Fast!

The Mighty Wurlitzer accompanies “Metropolis” (1929) featuring Cameron Carpenter 11/3

As We Speak: Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, & Edgar Meye featuring Rakesh Chaurasia 11/11

Craig

Michael Carbonaro: Lies On Stage 9/17

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater 10/6

Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash 9/15

Pat Metheny 10/24

An Evening with Chris Botti 10/19

Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken 10/20

Paula Poundstone 10/28

An Evening with Amy SedarisModerated by Mark McLemore 11/12

Keb’ Mo’ Band 9/12

the stage is snap pictures of it with their phones.

Some of the acts’ staffers question the acoustics because the walls look concrete. Not so, says Rodenkirch.

“The sound engineers come in and they think, ‘Oh, this room’s going to sound bad,’ because it looks like hard surfaces,” he says.

“But the walls are absorbent, and at the end of the night they say, ‘This is the best hall we’ve played in the entire tour.’ It’s got the best acoustics in Tucson. We’re the only theater to have this material on the walls.”

“It’s fantastic,” Schock added.

The Fox is a midsize venue, not as small as a club but also not as big as the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. There are two bars with tables where guests stand. In the balcony is an unusual feature: love seats that give guests a closeup view of the ceiling and the stage.

Schock’s job is no 9-to-5 gig. She

works when she has to, no matter what time it is, she says. There are night meetings, talking to the public, talking to donors (this is a nonprofit theater), talking to the acts and staff. It’s an exciting job, though; one day is never the same as the next.

Schock is grateful for the support of the people in Tucson. As a 501(c)(3), the Fox lives and dies by community support.

Revenue comes in by grants and ticket sales, but 30% of the Fox’s income comes from private donations.

“Without that, we wouldn’t be here,” she said.

To

To