Zocalo Magazine - December 2014 by Zocalo Magazine

Z贸calo Tucson arts and culture / ZOCALOMAGAZINE.COM / december 2014 / no. 58

DAILY 11AM TO 6PM Shop local with 40 handpicked makers, artisans, vintage boutiques and gourmet foods.

La Estrella Bakery / Blu A Wine & Cheese Stop San Agustín Trading Co. / Seis Kitchen Dolce Pastello / Sonoran Sno-Cones / Stella Java La Cabaña / Estudio De Piel / Transit Cycles MAST / Agustín Kitchen Media Sponsor

CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS WWW.MERCADOSANAGUSTIN.COM 100 SOUTH AVENIDA DEL CONVENTO :: 520.461.1107

Odd Hall Turns 100 In 1914 the Odd Fellows Hall, designed by Henry O. Jaastad, was built in Tucson. It was a building dedicated to the arts before there was an Arts District. It became known as the “Odd Hall” in the 70s when the building was home to the Invisible Theater, Ballet Arizona, City Dance Theater and Dance Free. For the last quarter century it has been owned by working artists, Barbara Grygutis and Tim Fuller. Terry Etherton’s Etherton Gallery and Tim and Barbara’s studios have occupied the building at 135 S. 6th Avenue since 1988. Janos Wilder’s DOWNTOWN Kitchen+Cocktails joined us in 2010.

Tim Fuller Photographer, Building Co-owner

Barbara Grygutis Sculptor, Building Co-owner

As a freelance photographer I have shot assignments for editorial and corporate clients in 9 foreign countries and 43 states but my studio has been here at the Odd Hall ever since I arrived in 1972 with the Invisible Theater.

As a public artist I travel internationally to create works of art. With a studio in the Odd Hall since 1988, downtown Tucson continues to be the refuge to which I return.

Terry Etherton Etherton Gallery

Janos Wilder DOWNTOWN Kitchen + Cocktails

Exceptional art is illuminated by an exceptional space; after being here for more than a quarter of a century, the gallery is an important part of the Odd Hall’s history and this building is a meaningful part of my own story.

I'm a chef and started cooking downtown over 30 years ago. The Odd Hall gives our guests a sense of history and tells an optimistic story about the renaissance of downtown Tucson.

inside

December 2014

07. Community 09. Events 13. Arts 17. Holiday Shopping 32. Look Back 51. Garden 52. Food & Drink 54. Life in Tucson 56. Tunes 58. Poetry

On the cover: Holiday Gift Wrap, by Monbibi.

Zócalo is an independent, locally owned and printed magazine that relects the heart and soul of Tucson.

PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Olsen CONTRIBUTORS Marisa Bernal, Andrew Brown, Jon D’Auria, Donovan Durband, Adria Lee, Jamie Manser, Brandon Merchant, Kyle Mittan, Niccole Radhe, Diana Rhoades, Steve Renzi, Monica Surfaro Spegelman, Lauren Wong. LISTINGS Marisa Bernal, listings@zocalotucson.com PRODUCTION ARTISTS Troy Martin, David Olsen CONTACT US:

frontdesk@zocalotucson.com P.O. Box 1171, Tucson, AZ 85702-1171 520.955.ZMAG

Subscribe to Zocalo at www.zocalomagazine.com/subscriptions. Zocalo is available free of charge in Tucson, limited to one copy per reader. Zocalo may only be distributed by the magazine’s authorized independent contractors. No person may, without prior written permission of the publisher, take more than one copy of each issue. The entire contents of Zocalo Magazine are copyright © 2009-2014 by Media Zoócalo, LLC. Reproduction of any material in this or any other issue is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Zocalo is published 11 times per year.

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 5

6 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

! e b i r c subs Don’t miss an issue, have Zócalo delivered to your home or office. Purchase a subscription for only $15, and Zocalo will land in your mailbox 11 times a year.

community Z

Tucson Modernizes On-Street Parking with New Smart Meters by Donovan Durband Have you ever parked your car on the street in the Downtown or Main Gate areas and been frustrated to discover that you didn’t have enough quarters or other change to buy the time you needed at a meter? Ever bothered a merchant that you weren’t planning on patronizing, to give you change to plug a meter?

Or perhaps you weren’t sure which days and times you were obligated to pay the meter, and you couldn’t quite read that information under the small, not-quite-transparent meter cover? This month those frustrations will become historical artifacts in Tucson, when the City of Tucson’s parking division, Park Tucson, rolls out its brand-new, state-of-the-art “smart” parking meters that not only accept coins, but take credit, debit, or smart (stored value) cards. And, these same new smart meters will be wirelessly connected to a new smartphone app—branded specifically for Tucson—that will allow motorists to find and then pay for parking. On November 26, Park Tucson installed 21 of the new meters as a test and to allow its staff to start training on a central data management system that tracks occupancy, revenue, and operational condition of the meters. If a meter suffers any damage or is out of service for any reason, Park Tucson is immediately alerted and can send staff to address the issue. With eight of them installed on Pennington Street and another 13 installed on the west side of 6th Avenue between Pennington and Congress Street, Park Tucson (which offices at the Pennington Street Garage where 6th and Pennington meet) can monitor the first set of new meters closely. Activating immediately upon installation, the meters feature a solar panel on the street side that recharges the meter’s battery, and a large screen facing the sidewalk, which tells the parking customer the hours of operation, the time limit that applies to that parking space, the rate, the remaining time before expiration, and potentially information about local events—all of which can be programmed remotely from the Park Tucson office and applied to all the meters, or a subset of them, or even just one. The meters, manufactured by IPS Group, replace meters that accept only coins and use up conventional batteries. Park Tucson expects to have another 850 or so Downtown meters replaced with the new models between December 15 and 23, and the approximately 200 coin-only meters at Main Gate Square and near the UA campus by the end of 2014 as well. The 4th Avenue Business District will be metered for the first time in history starting around mid-January, with the installation and activation of the same smart meters that will be used in the other business districts along the Sun Link line. Cross-streets off of 4th Avenue that have public parking spaces that are not restricted to residential parking will be metered as well, between 3rd Avenue and 6th Avenue, with meters extending a little further east on 9th Street and a little further west on 7th Street. Time limits will vary, with most of the metered spaces limited to 2-hour visits and others to 3 hours. The City understands that metering 4th Avenue will generate concern, but Park Tucson has worked with the Fourth Avenue Merchants

Association and area neighborhoods for more than two years to establish understanding of the purpose of the meters, which is to generate greater turnover and increase the effective capacity of the most sought-after parking in the 4th Avenue area—helping customers to find parking when and where they need it, and encouraging long-term parkers to park elsewhere. Permit areas will be established, so that employees of area businesses can find the parking they need as well. Fourth Avenue merchants have often expressed their desire to see a public garage that serves the Avenue primarily, and the City has been clear that the path to a potential future 4th Avenue garage is paved with paid street parking and the revenue stream it will generate. The City’s Downtown garages would not have been financed without the revenue from on-street parking, or without consumer expectations that parking in a Downtown area is not free. As with Downtown, 4th Avenue’s meters will only be enforced on weekdays, and with similar hours (9am to 6pm in the 4th Avenue area) as Downtown and Main Gate, which will remain at Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. The Main Gate area will go to 7-day meter enforcement beginning in late January, per the request of Main Gate Square merchants who wish to encourage the availability of street parking for customers. On Monday, January 5, the Downtown meter rate of 50 cents per hour (one of the lowest rates in the U.S. for a city of Tucson’s size) will increase to $1.00 per hour. With the activation of the paid parking in the 4th Avenue area, all of the City of Tucson’s on-street parking will cost $1.00/hour. Park Tucson expects that its new smart-phone app will be operational by the end of December. The app will allow users to not only pay for street parking, but also purchase transit fares—for Sun Link, Sun Van, and Sun Tran. It will be the first such app of its kind, offering customers the ability to pay for both parking and transit. The app will also make it easy for merchants to offer validated street parking. New Park Tucson-branded smart cards will replace the meter cash keys that allow regular parkers to pay at the meters without needing change. Customers can obtain their own smart card at the Park Tucson office and purchase value to store on the card, drawing down the value when they park at the new meters. Customers with cash keys may bring them in and Park Tucson will transfer any remaining stored value to a new smart card. The new smart meters will improve customer service for the parking public, better serve the needs of businesses and their customers, and contribute to the smart development of Tucson’s rapidly developing urban center by making its parking system more efficient and generating additional revenue that can be reinvested in future mixed-use parking facilities. For more information about the City of Tucson’s new, modern parking meters, visit www.ParkTucson.com. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 7

8 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

december

events Z

BICAS 25th Anniversary & 19th Annual Art Auction

Playground Games

Fri, Dec 5-Sat, Dec 6

Wed, Dec 10

The Drawing Studio, 33 S. 6th Ave. Bicas.org/art-auction Preview Party – Fri, Dec 5, 6-10 p.m. Early Bidding – Sat, Dec 6, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Silent Auction – Sat, Dec 6, 6-9 p.m.

7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Playground Bar & Lounge, 278 E. Congress St. Free, RSVP at Confluencecenter.arizona.edu/content/playground-games UA’s Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry (CCI) and the Institute of the Environment (IE) are teaming up to play matchmaker by hosting a live game show-like event with UA Faculty on the roof of Downtown’s Playground. Think speeddating meets Shark Tank, with an academic spin. The faculty contestants are divided into interdisciplinary teams that will speed-network, plan a project and pitch their ideas to a panel of three judges and the audience. Two winning teams will have their projects funded before the fast-paced night is over. The judges will evaluate the project pitches and the audience will help make the final decision on which teams are funded. Audience participation space is limited, so RSVP at Confluencecenter.arizona.edu/content/playground-games today!

Celebrate 25 years of BICAS and its 19th Annual Art Auction – full of bicycleinspired artwork, music and entertainment! This family event is free to attend. There will be a children’s corner, drinks, food, arts and lots of great gifts for the holidays. Hundreds of artists support BICAS through donated artwork, cocreating an exuberant and diverse collection of bicycle art. This fundraiser sustains BICAS throughout the year so the organization can continue to provide affordable and free bicycle education and services to the Tucson community. The event features entertainment by The WonderFools, Flight School Acrobatics, Cirque Roots. Artwork is up during the two nights; up for bid on Saturday; and highest bidders may purchase and take home the art Saturday night. There’s also plenty of holiday gifts and merchandise for sale both nights! Get bidding faster by pre-registering for your unique bid number at Bicas.org/art-auction/bid-number/.

The 16th Annual Great Cover Up Fri, Dec 19-Sat, Dec 20 HotelCongress.com/music/great-cover-2014 Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Fri, Dec 19 Rialto Theatre, 319 E. Congress St. Sat, Dec 20 $8/night, $13 for both nights.

NMWG 2nd Annual Benefit Show/Fundraiser for Southern Arizona Lupus Foundation Sat, Dec 6

A Tucson tradition! Over the course of two nights, local bands perform 20-minute sets of music by popular performing artists, with an emphasis on keeping secret just who is covering whom until the moment they perform. This year all net contributions will go to SAAMHA, the Southern Arizona Artists and Musicians Healthcare Alliance, which provides informational and monetary healthcare assistance to people in the local arts community, and the Community Food Bank, which helps distribute food to the less fortunate. Over the course of 15 years, The Great Cover-Up event has raised roughly $75,000 for local organizations like SAAMHA, The Brewster Center and Casa de los Niños. Among the 22 local participants this year are The Jons, Spacefish, Gat-Rot, Carlos Arzate & The Kind Souls, Easyco, The Socials, Gat-Rot, Ohioan, Tesoro and The David Clark Band. Artists being covered include Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, James Brown, Talking Heads, AC/DC, The Temptations, Cheap Trick, Otis Redding, Styx, Erykah Badu, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Huey Lewis & The News, Pink Floyd, and more.

Musicians from all over Arizona, including: Sedona, Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson and Bisbee will once again converge on Fourth Avenue to take part in a benefit honoring and celebrating the love and talents of Amy & Derrick Ross (also known as Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl) to help raise money to help fight lupus. Each performer will be playing their favorite NMWG songs, as well as share their favorite Amy & Derrick moments and stories. The evening will feature over 30+ bands and musicians who played with, co-wrote, and/or wrote songs for the duo. The all-star lineup includes: Dry River Yacht Club (Tempe), decker. (Sedona), Keli & the Big Dream (Tucson), Lonna Beth Kelley (Phx), Carlos Arzate (Tucson), Sundowners (Tucson), Terry Wolf (Bisbee), Revisor (Phx), Kate Becker (Tucson), Kate Becker ad Oliver Stuart (Tucson), Robin Vining (Phx), Laura Kepner Adney (Tucson), Mike Montoya (New Mexico), 8 Minutes To Burn (Tucson), Leila Lopez (Tucson), Brent Miles (Phx), Jillian Bessett (Tucson), Donna Kihl (Bisbee), Sweet Ghosts (Tucson), Bryan Sanders (Tucson), Copper & Congress (Tucson), 8 Minutes To Burn (Tucson), and many more TBA. Besides music, there is also an online auction featuring items created by some of Arizona’s top artists and craftspersons, as well as vacation packages, autographed CDs. commemorative t-shirts, guitars, and more! The auction, at NMWG.org, runs through Sat, Dec. 13.

Photo: Jimi Giannatti

Cafe Passe, 415 N. 4th Ave., 6 p.m.-9 p.m. (acoustic songwriters) Flycatcher, 340 E. 6th Ave., 8:30 p.m.- 1 a.m. (electric bands) $10/venue or $15 for both NMWG.org

NMWG 2nd Annual Benefit Show, Sat. Dec 6. Pictured: Amy & Derrick Ross. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 9

december

Z events

Thu 4 TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION

Includes a festive tree lighting, photos with Santa, performances, carolers, cookie decorating, holiday movies and more. Free. 5:30pm-7pm. Hilton El Conquistador, 10000 N. Oracle Rd. 544-5000, HiltonElConquistador.com

Fri 5- Sat 6 BICAS ART AUCTION Art, music, bikes, libations,

Sun 7 14TH ANNUAL SUGAR PLUM TEA Features a festive holiday boutique, silent auction, performance by Ronstadt Generations, and a narration of the Nutcracker story with characters from the ballet. 11am and 3pm. $75 per person. Marriott Tucson University Park, 880 E. 2nd St. 745-3000, BalletTucson.org

LA FIESTA DE GUADALUPE The annual family

food trucks, kids activities and more. Fri; 6pm-10pm. Sat; 11am-5pm & 6pm-9pm. The Drawing Studio, 33 S. 6th Ave. 628-7950, Bicas.org

festival celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe with spirited outdoor performances by youthful mariachi and ballet folklorico groups. 10am- 4pm. Free. Degrazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan Rd. 299-9191, Degrazia.org

TUBAC LUMINARIA NIGHTS Featuring Talias

HOLIDAY ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR Local

Van’s Bright & Morning Star Choir and The Cosmo Kids Choir. Donations accepted. 6pm-7:30pm. 398-2542, GlobalChangeMultiMedia.org

SAT 6 TUCSON FESTIVAL OF TREES A celebration for the holiday season and benefit for the Arizona Oncology Foundation. A dozen elegantly designed holiday trees, wreaths and arrangements will be displayed. 6:15pm. $75. Westin La Paloma, 3800 E. Sunrise Dr. 870-6060, ArizonaOncologyFoundation.org

TAMAL & HERITAGE FESTIVAL Experience the rich flavors of the tamale in a fun-filled day of art, culture and entertainment. Free. 10am-5pm. Ava Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Rd. CasinoDelSol.com

ART ON TAP Craft beer festival presenting Arizona craft breweries, beer-themed art, and live music. $30$65. 6pm-10pm. Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. 624-2333, TucsonMuseumOfArt.org

SANTA LANDING Breakfast buffet, crafts for kids, and Santa flying in by helicopter! Adults;$12.25-$15.50. Children; $9. Under 6; free. 8:30am- 4pm. Pima Air & Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Rd. 618-4850, PimaAir.org

33RD ANNUAL NORDIC GUILD FAIR Norwegian, Swedish, Danish & Finnish Clubs & individual vendors will sell ethnic foods, baked goods, Scandinavian crafts & collectibles. Folk dancers & musicians will entertain throughout the day. Free. 9am-3pm. Desert Lutheran Church, 5360 E. Pima. Norse-Tucson.org

7TH ANNUAL CHICKEN COOP TOUR Self-guided tour of chicken coops to get inspired and informed backyard chicken keepers. 10am- 3pm. $5. Food Conspiracy Co-op, 412 N. 4th Avenue. 624-4821, FoodConspiracy.Coop

10 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

artists and craftspeople show and sell jewelry, woodwork, wrought iron, stained glass and more. 9am- 2pm. Cat Mountain Station, 2740 S. Kinney Rd. 578-4272, CatMountainStation.com

Thu 11 PATHFINDERS POTLUCK AND SILENT AUCTION The Pathfinders, a support group for the AZ Historical Society, hosts a Pot Luck supper and Silent Auction. Dessert and non-alcoholic beverage provided, please bring a dish to share. Free. 5:30pm. Arizona Historical Museum Auditorium, 949 E. 2nd St. 498-4737, ArizonaHistoricalSociety.org

Thu 11- Sun 14 GATHER A VINTAGE MARKET

A shopping adventure featuring antique, vintage and collectible items for your home and garden. Theme: The British are Coming and New Years. 657 W. St. Mary’s Rd. GatherVintageMarket.com

Fri 12- Sun 14 4TH AVENUE STREET FAIR

400 arts and crafts booths, 35 food vendors, performance stages, street musicians, food, jugglers, kids entertainment, face painting, balloons, more. 10am-6pm. Free. 624-5004, FourthAvenue.org

Fri 12- Mon 15 BOOK SALE A benefit for Tucson libraries. 9am-4pm. 2230 N. Country Club. 795-3763, PimaFriends.com

Sat 13 PRESIDIO LUMINARIA FESTIVAL

A living history celebration to welcome the holiday season. 5pm9pm. Presidio San Agustín del Tucson, 133 W. Washington St. 837-8119, TucsonPresidioTrust.org

A TUCSON CAROL- ONE NIGHT, ONE MOVIE, SECOND SATURDAY Access Tuscon and Strada Company film an entire feature film, loosely based on A Christmas Carol, in one night in downtown Tucson giving all attendees a part in the film. The evening will also include food trucks, singing, hot cocoa and more. $10. Access Tucson, 124 W. Broadway Blvd. 9775218, StradaTheatre.com

Fri 19 SEA OF GLASS ANNUAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION The evening’s festivities will include live concerts by two choirs, a friendly visit with Santa Claus, and a screening of the special Christmas musical production, The God Child Came. 7pm. $7. Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. 7th St. 398-2542, SeaOfGlass.org

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION Featuring the Chaparral Kirtan Band led by Gabrielle Pietrangelo, Bradford Trojan, Hadji Banjovi of the Infinite Mercies, traveling teacher and percussionist Will Duncan and local yoga teacher and Tucson Yoga owner Laurent Baig.$10$15. 7:30pm-9pm. Tucson Yoga Studio, 150 S. 4th Ave. TucsonYoga.com

Sat 20 10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY EXPRESS Watch a holiday movie, Elves assist in sending letters to the North Pole, take a photo with Santa in front of Locomotive 1673. Bring a can of food for the community food bank. Free. 1:30pm-4pm. 414 N. Toole Ave. 623-2223, TucsonHistoricDepot.org

20TH ANNUAL PARADE OF LIGHTS Young and old bask in the warmth of lighted floats, vehicles and musical groups winding through Downtown with a visit from Santa Claus. Free. 6:30pm-8pm. Armory Park, 221 S. 6th Ave. 837-6504, DowntownTucson.org

ONGOING in december WINTERHAVEN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 65th Annual Festival of Lights. Central Tucson neighborhood adorned with holiday decorations, using LED lights. Walk through every night. Drive-through on Dec 27. Free, canned food donations accepted. 6pm-10pm. Winterhaven Neighborhood, in between Fort Lowell Road, Prince Road, Country Club, Tucson Boulevard. 8814483, WinterhavenFestival.org

FALL 2014 SCIENCE CAFES Discussions on scientific happenings. See website for times and locations. Free. Flandrau.org/Programs/Science_Cafe. Wed 3: Large Synoptic Survey Telescope: The Widest, Fastest, Deepest Eye of the New Digital Age. Thu 11: Cheating In Plant Sex. Tue 16: Tracking Climate Extremes Across the Desert Southwest

BAKER+HESSELDENZ

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 11

12 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Photo: Jimi Giannatti

arts Z

Logan Phillips: Poet, DJ, Artist, Teacher

Where the Thunder Is Born by Jamie Manser

In a lush desert of five seasons, the most sensory intense season is that of the late summer monsoons. When the residents watch with anticipation the clouds building through the day and pray – please give us precipitation, bring us los chubascos! Bring us the relief of release from the searing, breath stealing, oppressive humid heat. Shower our land; replenish the plants and animals, the aquifers and our souls. These monsoons simultaneously clear away and pile up the detritus, as do the collection of poems in “Sonoran Strange.” With monsoon-like concentrated power – analogous to how the water and wind whip, shape and dance with la tierra – electric and unapologetic are the words that delve into the myriad layers of geology, history, flora, fauna, rivers, wars, pillaging, injustices, absurd realities and the mythologies of both the imperialists and those subsequently subjugated by colonialism. Scribed by poet, performance artist and DJ Logan “Dirty Verbs” Phillips over seven years, “Sonoran Strange” offers poignant reflections by a man raised in rural Southern Arizona within sight of the border. Phillips was born in Tombstone in 1983, where his family lived for a few years before his parents bought land near Hereford. “Our area was unincorporated, at that time it was Rural Route 1, down the middle of these beautiful rolling grasslands in the foothills of the Huachucas.” His was an upbringing imbued by place; as a child Phillips was deeply connected to the Sonoran Desert’s space. With his canine companions, Logan would wander through mesquite boskets until called home for dinner. And of

course, in the name of progress, the developers eventually came to claim the land. “One day the stakes with neon flags would go up and then – no matter how many times I pulled them out – they would reappear. And then, sooner or later, one morning I would wake up and the bulldozers would have been grazing since dawn. And there was nothing left but raw, red earth. And that happened over, and over, and over, and over again. So I think it is that colonization of the land, of which my family was of course a part of, but, to be able to feel that and have it relate to losing my childhood innocence and – you know, when the imagination of a child comes to terms with the structural reality of the society, is always kind of a psychic break and that happened to me very much in relationship to the land.” From this core of gut wrenching disillusionment, along with an education from a father who was a park ranger and later the exhibit designer for Ft. Huachuca Museum, ensued an understanding of the tales that are told by the victors to spin the stories of genocide and environmental destruction – themes ever present in “Sonoran Strange.” “On take your kid to work day, my dad would have me in the Ft. Huachuca crazy 1880s military building with these passageways and bookcases and one moment he is showing me this document that has an original signature from Abraham Lincoln on it and then looking at an Apache skull with it smashed out on one side and then looking at a mannequin head that had just been delivered from the mannequin head-makers of an 1880s Chiricahua Apache in a box December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 13

Photos: Jimi Giannatti

next to taxidermy of rattlesnakes and hawks… “My understanding of history is definitely personal, it doesn’t feel dead. A lot of times studying history, especially in books… what is history defined as? Usually it’s ‘not the present,’ and I think that is bullshit. I think there are layers rather than a timeline and as a small kid my dad was telling me these stories which gave me an understanding of layers. But then of course, that fascinates you, discovering this in middle school led me to devouring books on the Apache and weird history books that my dad would have and reading Arizona Highways religiously as a 12-year-old. And then, this (book of poems) is just, as an adult, my adult self doubling down on that same innate curiosity and relationship with la tierra.” The book’s genesis began as, Phillips calls it, a sprawling five-page poem that later got separated out into a “thread that runs through the book, the repeated narrative, kind of primary thread, that is that poem blown out, expanded out.” Beginning in 2007, Phillips was collaborating with Adam Cooper-Terán in an effort to turn Phillips’ poems into a five sense experience. From that, the two birthed Verbo•bala Spoken Video – a multi-media performance art collaborative that features video projections and soundscapes. With their first show a resounding success, Phillips was pushed into further exploring the concepts of “Sonoran Strange,” and fleshing out the initial ideas and storylines. “There are all these characters that started coming up, like La Llorona and Dave Grindman, and the Indigenous Insurgents and all these – almost hallucinatory spirits, people who would start to make appearances in the poems and in single lines… It’s like, ‘Wait, there’s a whole lot more.’ “If you say La Llorona haunting canals in Scottsdale, there’s a whole lot more there, what are the suburban mothers jogging at 7 a.m. after dropping the kids off at school and they see La Llorona, what’s their expectation, what’s their perception? They (the poems) were just going off into this completely unpredictable, prismatic, splintering of images and characters. Most of that work was done in 2011.” In the fall of 2011, in the resultant wake of SB 1070 and the cries for boycotts and the realization that boycotts suck for cultural workers – an effort to understand space and place happened with the CulturalStrike delegation. It brought “50 artists from around the country and imported them here for a week and lined them up with all the best cultural actors and movers and shakers in Southern Arizona,” Phillips explains. Participants were shuttled to the Southside and Nogales and the morgue, giving them a “really intense, visceral understanding with no expectations – just, ‘let it filter into your art, see it, feel it.’ “And that to me was a game changer because it was something I knew to be true, that visceral experience trumps political vitriol and framing. And at one of the events there as an open mic sort of thing and I read the ‘Sonoran Strange’ poem and it just – the energy, it was almost like combustion. The energy – it was the right poem at the right time with the right crowd and people 14 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Logan Phillips: Poet, DJ, Artist, Teacher

not being from here and giving the response that they gave, gave me a huge energetic push. ‘Oh shit, I really need to double down on this work and see it through.’ That was September 2011. And, for the rest of the year, I was writing five hours a day.” Phillips’ dedication to his poetic craft and concern for accuracy and balance astutely delves and drills into the history of the Sonoran Desert, pulling apart and ripping open the cover-ups. His words turn it all inside out, taking you out of your understanding, mining the depths and stripping bare what the public education’s core curriculum won’t ever share. Every word is saturated with definition, verses rife with schemes of the privileged and the solemn pain of the disenfranchised. For example: Under the terms of Guadalupe Hidalgo,

all Mexicans living in the new United States

were made to cut the treaty

into tiny paper squares

and hold them under their tongues

until they dissolved and the new

reality set in

An excerpt from Sonoran Strange: Gila This is for every mouth that once spoke Mexican

and now speaks sand just forty miles

as the vulture files from where we now stand

An excerpt from Sonoran Strange: Cuk Son Who banned the ethnic studies of cacti,

demanding that they learn only the waters of the Potomac

and not to question why the Santa Cruz runs dry,

why the Gila runs dry; what good is the Potomac

if the Colorado runs dry?

An excerpt from Sonoran Strange: Carlisle Homeland of the Chiricahua Apache, homeland of the Huachuca agave.

Where the O’odham were born, where the thunder is born;

psychogeographic landscape of myth. Hollow with limestone caverns,

punctured by prospectors. Lost treasure and endangered species.

Extinct zip codes and boomtowns and the holiest of places.

An excerpt from Sonoran Strange: Sky Islands

The release of Sonoran Strange is on Friday, December 5 at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., 7:30 p.m. The event includes Logan reading selections of his poetry with Gabrielle Sullivan and Joe Novelli playing tunes. Find more on Logan Phillips at DirtyVerbs.com.

JOIN US AT CARLY QUINN DESIGNS DECEMBER

20 TH

from 2-5 pm

FOR A SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE

EXO ROAST CO. and

TAP + BOTTLE WE WILL BE OFFERING SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ON ALL OF OUR STOCK TILES & MURALS FOR YOUR LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY SHOPPING NEEDS

THE DOORS WILL BE OPEN

THROUGH ALL THREE SHOPS FOR DISCOUNTS

with

EXO ROAST CO. and

TAP + BOTTLE A SPECIAL HOLIDAY SOUNDTRACK WILL BE PROVIDED BY NAIM AMOR ALONG WITH FOOD TRUCKS AND SPECIAL TREATS!

your neighborhood bar & bottle shop wine for holiday dinners! • seasonal beers for stocking stuffers! • t+b shirts & hats for gifts!

403 n. 6th ave • open 7 days • thetapandbottle.com

ART

TAP

DECEMBER 6, 2014 / 6PM-10PM

Join TMA and Craft Tucson for the second annual Art on Tap, a beer festival with Arizona craft breweries, live music by R&P Music Factory and Satyr Entertainment, artist demos and performances, ShakesBeer performed by Strada Company, local art for sale, and food.

Admission includes 20 beer tastings & commemorative taster glass.

To purchase tickets visit www.TucsonMuseumofArt.org Art on Tap is an 21+ event. 16 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

holiday shopping Z

A Tucson Tastemakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to Holiday Gifting pages 18-22

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 17

Z holiday shopping Joel Leshefka

Creative business “guy,” Cairo, LLC.

Krysta Jabczenski

Where they shop...

Photographer, kjabczenski.com Where he shops, Joel: I’ve really been loving the Broadway strip lately. Both Avenue Boutique and Bon are kinda just killing it. Great selection, price range for both small and bigger gifts. Bonus points to Avenue for carrying a few really cool magazines/ quarterlys right now (Apartemento, Gentlewoman, etc). Bon makes me want to rip all the warm and cozy things off the shelves and make a giant fort to roast marshmallows in. Luckily for them, I am capable of restraint. Where she shops, Krysta: The Tucson Herb Store. Desert healing magic emanates from that place! Tucson is lucky to have an herbalist with that much integrity for its local and all natural ingredients. What he looks for, Joel: Last year Krysta and I made this baby. She is very cute, but requires a lot of stimuli. So, my main goal is to find her “not crappy”, preferably “not plastic” items she’ll STILL enjoy (let’s face it, there is science behind making something plastic and outlandishly patterned--babies reallllllllly seem to like that). Hoping to find some cool vintage pieces for her, and perhaps a cozy mid-century modern sweater for when we travel north to see family in Seattle. My plan is go to Little Bird Nesting Company early and often, make some serious estate sale runs, and a few trips to the Tanque Verde Swap Meet. Fingers crossed. What she gifts, Krysta: Very specific, customized and out-of-thisworld high tech. My family is doing Skymall Secret Santa this year.

Jade Beall

Owner of Jade Beall Photography and A Beautiful Body Project, Born and raised Tucsonan Where she shops: Fed By Threads and Antigone Books. What she looks for: Simple things, preferable made in the USA that cause no one suffering in the making.

Diana Rhoades

Southern Arizona Director, Strategies 360 Where she shops: I like to buy gift certificates for downtown restaurants and I love to shop at Old Town Artisans. What she looks for: I love to get gift certificates to downtown restaurants! I would also love a new cool yoga mat.

Monica Surfaro Spigelman

Cultural Entrepreneur, Writer and Citizen Folklorist TucsonCowgirl.com Where she shops and what she looks for: Tucson is trending with so much seasonal local swag... and Zocalo’s holiday hotspot lists already overflow with many creative entrepreneurs. It’s a dizzying array, and I know I’ll be shopping at favorites like midtown Bon, downtown MOCA and Mercado’s MAST. However this year I’m adding a dimension to holiday gifting, looking to source items of function, fashion and beautiful whimsy that are created by Tucson’s indigenous peoples and refugee population. In this regard, I am focused on diversity in my holiday gifting. (Please note I’m excusing some of the travel required to source these gifts, because of low gas prices and the positive impact on the tribal economies): There’ s nothing more comfortable than hand-tooled moccasins by Jesse Aguiar — who owns San Agustin Trading Company in the Mercado and who has been handcrafting leather moccasins over 45 years in the traditional hidden stitched, 4-button southwestern style. Jesse himself is not Native American but his heritage is rich in Hopi and Dine trading post traditions, and he’ll share a story or two as you shop. The number of native O’odham pottery and basket makers is dwindling, but you can still purchase rare pots colored with native plant dye and decorated with O’odham storytelling. I visit the Wiwpul Du’ag Trading Post for native silverwork as well as the pottery and baskets, and this trading post is one of the last left on the nation. For tooled belts, buckles and boots I visit any one of a number of South Tucson’s authentic leather craft tooling operations, which still follow old-world Mexican traditional methods. The items can be intricately decorated and personalized. There’s of course the granddaddy Stewart Boot Manufacturing, but there are smaller stores like Jocelyn Boots or Osuna Boots, run out of the home of Esteban Osuna, who follows his Sonora family’s boot-making tradition. Rain Crow Gallery, has coffee roasting as well as a good selection of items made by Iskashitaa refugees from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East (as well as other locally handmade apparel and home deco). The crocheted or coiled baskets, rugs and bags are all made by master tradition bearers trying to rebuild their lives. You get a double treat when you visit the Yoemem Tekia Cultural Center in New Pascua, on the Pascua Yaqui reservation off Valencia. Displays and community altars gives you insight into Yaqui traditions, and you can shop for embroidered shawls, amulet necklaces and other jewelry or paper flowers made by Yaqui artisans from Tucson and throughout Sonora. Yoemem Tekia is moving to 7601 S. Camino Benem to make way for new construction on the reservation, so it is essential to call Rosemary TonaAguirre, (520) 879-5782, before visiting, to ask about availability.

Emily Yetman

Executive Director, Living Streets Alliance Where she shops: There are so many great little boutique shops popping up all over Tucson that make it easy to shop local. A few of my favorites: MAST for beautifully made leather goods; EcoGro for creative plant arrangements; and one I just discovered fors 18 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

holiday shopping Z SHOP. They’ve got a great design aesthetic and have lots of cool paper goods, jewelry, and kitchen-wares - the perfect stuff for that person with great taste who’s sometimes hard to shop for. What she looks for: Food and bicycles seems to be the theme for this year. You can’t go wrong giving someone a present that will lead to a series of great experiences or memories down the road. Transit Cycles is at the top of my list. They’ve always got something that most bicycle enthusiasts don’t already have. This year they’ve even got special accessories to help transport your favorite beverages via bike, whether it be a thermos of coffee, a growler of beer, or a flask of booze. Makes for a fun spontaneous bicycle adventure or picnic. Pappardelle’s Pasta

Where she shops and what she looks for: This holiday season, because I am now a vendor at Farmers’ Markets around Tucson, we will be gifting items purchased at the Farmers’ Market. Friends and family will be receiving jams and jellies from We-B’-Jamin Farm. Their products are made fresh daily using prickly pear, mesquite and organic fruits and vegetables. Some of our favorites are the Blueberry Lime, Blackberry Coffee and Whiskey Pear. You can find them every Sunday at the St. Philips Farmers’ Market, as well as other markets around town. Another favorite item to gift from the market are the spice blends using cilantro as the main ingredient made by Señor Cilantro. Our absolute favorite from him is his tomato-chile-onion-cilantro mixture, we put it on everything! Recipients this year will also be getting his garlic and cilantro blend and the oregano, garlic, cilantro mix.

Mary Ann Hesseldenz Baker + Hesseldenz design

Where she shops: Our favorite local places to shop for gifts are: Lions Gate Antiques, Adobe House Antiques and Tom’s. We really enjoy giving a gift with a little history.

Ryan Trayte

Owner/designer, Saywells Design Company Where he shops: My favorite gifts to give are sustainably-made clothes & accessories from Fed By Threads, awesome toys from Yikes Toys!, delicious bags of coffee from Exo Roast Co., flavorful tea from Maya Tea Co., and craft beer/wine from Tap + Bottle. What he looks for: I love getting homemade gifts from people, but I would enjoy anything from the shops I like to visit, too. Clothes, coffee, tea, beer, toys… can’t go wrong!

Sydney Ballesteros Creative Director + Stylist

Where she shops: I like to purchase one of kind items for my friends and family. This usually leads me to scout for gifts at the local vintage/antique stores. For clothing items some of my favorites are Desert Vintage, How Sweet it Was, Razzle Dazzle, Black

Hannah Glasston Director, Etherton Gallery

Where she shops and what she looks for: I’m usually picking up small things I like all year; I’m not a regimented seasonal shopper. For example, I just bought a few gifts at a gas station in Gila Bend on my way home from Joshua Tree! (1 million dollar laminated dollar bill bookmark with JFK’s picture on it for my kids). Having said that, I will be doing some shopping this month, of course! When I’m not buying things from Etherton Gallery, where I work (signed photography books are near and dear to my heart as is the jewelry case I re-stock on a regular basis with great necklaces by local artist Valerie Galloway, among numerous pieces from various artisans in Taxco, Mexico); I like the shops at museums and gardens, for starters. The Tucson Museum of Art gift shop is always a go-to for everything from crocheted hats to great boxed cards and high end ceramic “Feelies” by Rose Cabat. I also like the Tucson Botanical Gardens and Tohono Chul gift shops for plant and nature-themed gifts like seed assortments and butterfly pins. And when you’re a member of these great Tucson institutions, like I am, you get a discount!! Yay! I have one child in my life, a 10-year old nephew, and I like to buy him a book and usually a fun(ny) toy from my friend Patty Katchur at Yikes Toys! which has a lot of robot stuff which he’s into. Again, hard not to buy something for myself when I’m in there, like a recycled material tote bag I’m sure I don’t need. Pop-Cycle is where I’ll grab some Tucson-themed and -designed plaques by DDCO and usually a recycled license plate sign or two, which I love. My two adult sons, who live on opposite coasts (NYC and LA respectively), and who abhor anything clothing related that I choose for them, will probably get ye olde money envelope, but I will buy the younger one (New York City) a pair of gloves and some long underwear at Target. The older one works for the Los Angeles Lakers and usually gets some dorky basketball themed toy I can find at Big Five. I might get my husband a small hatchet this year because I noticed when we were at Joshua Tree National Park he was chopping wood with an inadequate one which required the use of a hammer as well. I’ll probably hit up Home Depot for that. Otherwise he usually gets a kiss and a hug and... because he “doesn’t need anything.” For my friends and party host gifts, I like nice bottles of wine which I’ll shop for at Plaza Liquors. They always have some great little liquor thing at the counter I usually end up getting to stuff in a box for my kids, too, even though I’m not supposed to send liquor through the mail... This year the gallery will “Adopt-a-Family” through the Sal-

What they find...

Erin Durband

Cat Vintage and OZMA. I also like to look for handmade items or items that are sold on a small business scale. I love to go to shops like Bon and MAST for a visually pleasing treat. If I am looking for vintage gifts for the home, I like to treasure hunt at places like Copper Country, 22nd St. Antiques and the local flea markets in town. On another note, we are a family that enjoys food, so gift cards to support our local restaurants are always a hit too! What she looks for: Vintage, one of a kind, and handmade- always!

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 19

20 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

holiday shopping Z vation Army’s assistance program (www.salvationarmyusa.org/ usn/christmas-assistance) so our staff will be shopping for gifts for a Tucson family. This will be the shopping I am most looking forward to; Tucson is such a giving community - not just during this season, but year round - and it feels good to be part of that.

Casia Fletcher

Owner of Purple Nickel

Alok Appadurai

Nick Georgiou

Kenny Stewart

Arizona’s only certified Sommelier AND Magician Where he shops: Gypsy Emporium, Yikes Toys!, 22nd Street Antique Mall.

Co-Founder & CEO of Fed By Threads Organics Where he shops: I think the Ben’s Bells retail shop, Pop-Cycle, and Tucson Audubon Society Retail Shop are inspiring places for gift buying! What he looks for: I will be looking for gifts that give back, that support American jobs, that were made with sustainable or upcycled materials, that advocate for loving animals, and that put smiles on people’s faces!

Randi Dorman

Principal, R+R Development, LLC and Past-President MOCA Tucson Where she shops: I love the authenticity of Tucson, so I seek out places that I feel reflect the diversity of Tucson. I love MOCA Shop at the Museum of Contemporary Art because they have a great selection of jewelry made by local designers, art books by artists from all over the world (many of whom exhibit at MOCA), home accessories, t-shirts, post cards and even crafts made by Arizona prisoners. I love MAST for the hand made hoop earrings, Blu for yummy cheese and olive oils, Tucson Underestimated City (next to the Fourth Ave Co-op) for the iconic “Tucson” hat, Rumrunner for the Smoked Whiskey del Bac made in Tucson and the Desert Dry Gin made in Phoenix. Gift cards and certificates to locally-owned places like Maynards Market and Kitchen, Body Works Pilates and Yoga Oasis are great too. Although this is not a locally-owned boutique, I have a total weakness for the make-up kits at Blue Mercury; I think they have the best selection in town. I listen to a lot of NPR and I have found really special book gift ideas from its programming. What she looks for: I spend a lot of time thinking about what the person would really like that they would not necessarily buy for themselves. My dad used to LOVE Judy Collins so I am getting him tickets to her concert at the Fox Theatre. My husband loves cycling and needs some cool-looking gear for cold weather. My mom is an adoring grandmother and avid photographer so we are going to get her some photography gear personalized with our daughter’s picture on it. We are taking a family trip to Cuba for my husband’s birthday this year and our gift to each other will be the memories we make there.

Artist

Where he shops and what he gifts: Books: Sonoran Strange by Logan Philips aka DJ Dirty Verbs. Vintage Clothes: Desert Vintage and How Sweet it Was. Jewelry: Spring Winder’s South Western works at Heliotrope Jewelry. Music: Jess Matsen’s Tall Told Tale or anything from Topaz Records (Dune Drift Compilations). Zia Records will help you. Alchohol: a growler from Tap & Bottle or assorted 6pack. Food: Salsa from The Little One or Gift Certificate to The Cup Café. Creative Things: MAST. Art Related: Membership to the Tucson Museum of Art or MOCA. Kid’s Stuff: Yikes Toys!

Michelle Hotchkiss

RE/MAX Catalina Foothills Realty & AtomicTucson.com Where she shops: Craft Fairs (Especially at east-side churches), MAST for hand made pieces by my favorite jewelry designers (okay that’s mostly for myself), Tap & Bottle for the thirsty... What she looks for: Sales on flank steak so I can make jerky to give out.

Rebecca Safford Owner, Tap & Bottle

Where she shops: I love the local shops in Tucson - especially the ones I can walk to when taking a work break. All of our Holiday shopping this year was done at Antigone Books (perfect for games & books for our nieces and nephew), Pop-Cycle (tucson/ cactus themed gifts for family and friends), and Fed by Threads (top secret gift for our staff!).

Where they shop...

What he looks for: Unique vintage that suits my unique friends.

Where she shops: My favorite places to shop locally for gifts are MAST, Avenue Boutique, Fine Life Company (locally owned but only online), Fed by Threads, LaFleur Plantscapes, Green Things Nursery, Little Bird Nesting Company, Yikes Toys, St. Phillips Plaza Farmer’s Market (Saturday’s Arts & Crafts), Copper Country Antiques, and Buffalo Exchange. What she looks for: I will be looking for unique ‘one of a kind’ gifts this year. Either locally made/sourced or made within the US. I am a huge supporter of shop local. Last year I did about 75% of my holiday shopping locally and this year my goal is to do 100%. I will do it!!!

What she looks for: I look for small, thoughtful and easy to mail gifts as our families live out of town. In years past, I have tried to make cards/gifts but this year is extra busy so I appreciate the handmade touches of artists/craftsmen found at Pop-Cycle and Fed by Threads.

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 21

Z holiday shopping

Where to find them... 22nd Street Antique Mall 5302 East 22nd St.

Desert Vintage 636 N. 4th Ave.

LaFleur Plantscapes 410 N. Toole Ave.

Pop-Cycle 422 N. 4th Ave.

Topaz Records

22ndstreetantiquemall.com

shopdesertvintage.com

lafleurplantscapes.com

popcycleshop.com

topazintucson.bandcamp.com

Adobe House Antiques 2700 N. Campbell Ave.

EcoGro Tucson 657 W. St. Mary’s Rd.

LionsGate Antiques 2000 E. Speedway Blvd

Rain Crow Gallery 204 W. Grant Rd #190

adobehouseantiques.com

ecogrohydro.com

lionsgateantiquesaz.com

raincrowgallery.com

Transit Cycles 100 S. Avenida del Convento #116

Antigone Books 411 N. 4th Ave.

Etherton Gallery 135 S. 6th Ave.

Little Bird Nesting Co 2924 E. Broadway Blvd.

Razzle Dazzle 3402 E. Grant Rd.

antigonebooks.com

ethertongallery.com

littlebirdnestingco.com

razzledazzletucson.com

Avenue Boutique 3050 E. Broadway Blvd.

Exo Roast Co 403 N. 6th Ave.

The Rumrunner 3131 E. 1st Ave.

shopavenueboutique.com

exocoffee.com

The Little One (Little Café Poca Cosa) 151 N. Stone Ave.

Ben’s Bell Shop KIND 40 W. Broadway Blvd.

Fed By Threads 345 E. Congress St #145

bensbells.org/shop

fedbythreads.com

MAST 100 S. Avenida del Convento, Suite 120

San Agustin Trading Company 120 South Avenida del Convento

Black Cat Vintage 41 N. Tucson Blvd

Fine Life Company online only

blackcatvintage.com

finelifeco.com

Blu 100 S. Avenida del Convento

fors SHOP 245 E. Congress St.

bluarizona.com

Fox Tucson Theatre 17 W. Congress St. foxtucsontheatre.org

templeofcairo.com

transitcycles.com

Tucson Audubon Society 300 E. University Blvd tucsonaudubon.org

rumrunnertucson.com

Tucson Botanical Gardens 2150 N. Alvernon Way tucsonbotanical.org

ilovemast.com

tucsonherbstore.com

sanagustintradingcompany.com

Maya Tea Company 225 W. Flores St. mayatea.com

Body Works Pilates 1980 E. River Rd

The Tucson Herb Store 408 N. 4th Ave.

Sonoran Strange by Logan Philips

Tucson Museum of Art 140 N. Main Ave. tucsonmuseumofart.org

dirtyverbs.com

Maynards Market & Kitchen 400 N. Toole Ave. maynardstucson.com

Stewart Boot Manufacturing Co. 30 W. 28th Str. St. Philip’s Plaza Farmers’ Market 4280 N. Campbell Ave.

The Underestimated City 402 N. 4th Ave. theunderestimatedcity.com

Wiwpul Du’ag Trading Post State Road 86, Sells

bodyworksstudio.com

Green Things Nursery 3235 E. Allen Rd.

MOCA shop at the Museum of Contemporary Art 265 S. Church Ave.

Bon Boutique 3022 E. Broadway Blvd

greenthingsaz.com

moca-tucson.org

foodinroot.com

Yikes Toys! 2930 E. Broadway Blvd.

bon-boutique.com

The Gypsy’s Emporium 201 N. Court Old Town Artisans

Old Town Artisans 201 N. Court Ave.

Tanque Verde Swap Meet 4100 S. Palo Verde Rd.

yikestoys.com

oldtownartisans.com

tucsonswap.com

Yoga Oasis multiple locations

Heliotrope Jewelry by Spring Winders heliotropemetal.com

Osuna Boots 5034 S. Cactus Wren Ave.

Tap and Bottle 403 N. 6th Ave. #135

yogaoasis.com

thetapandbottle.com

Zia Record Exchange 3370 E. Speedway Blvd.

Tohono Chul Park 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte

ziarecords.com

Buffalo Exchange multiple locations buffaloexchange.com

Copper Country Antiques 5055 E. Speedway Blvd coppercountryantiques.com

How Sweet It Was 419 N. 4th Ave.

The Cup Café 311 E. Congress St.

howsweetitwas.com

hotelcongress.com/food

Jocelyn Boots 3553 S. 12th Ave.

22 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

OZMA Atelier 439 N. 6th Ave. #171 ozma-atelier.com

tohonochul.org

Plaza Liquors & Fine Wine 2642 N. Campbell Ave. phone: 327-0452

Tom’s Fine Furniture London Town Shopping Center, 5454 E. Pima St.

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 23

Photo: Jamie Manser

events Z

Tucson's Gates Pass.

Southern Arizona’s Natural Wonders A Show & Tell with Dr. Joaquin Ruiz by Jamie Manser On a daily basis, most of us are inured to our environment’s incomparable beauty, its rich ecosystems, deep history, and the gorgeous mountains surrounding the Tucson valley. We’re focusing on immediate needs – getting to work, paying rent, buying groceries, taking care of the kids and the pets. But when we stop our inner nag, breathe deeply and open our eyes, minds and senses to the glorious, mysterious and special Sonoran Desert – it hits us. A dizzying array of input: the vertical relief of the Sky Islands, the expanse of the desert floor, contemplating millions of years of continental plates colliding and drifting, the evolution of flora and fauna, an impossible blue sky and night’s endless stretch of stars – stitched together in constellations of human imagination. These natural wonders are complemented by first-rate man-made attractions such as the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Biosphere 2 and the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter. With all of these top-notch attributes, it only makes sense to showcase to the world the astonishing Southern Arizona. For the last several years, Dr. Joaquin Ruiz – Dean of the UA College of Science and Vice President for Innovation – has shared a vision of Southern Arizona as a destination for international tourism. “The rugged topography of our region combined with our geographic location between the biological provinces of the Rocky Mountains to the north and Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental to the southeast,” Dr. Ruiz wrote in the

Arizona Daily Star in 2011, “results in a unique mixing of species that makes our area one of the most biologically diverse in the world.” During a TEDx Tucson talk in 2013 on this topic, Dr. Ruiz eloquently elucidated that residents of this area “live in an amazing community. We live in a place that has the richest geology, ecology and history and archaeology of all of the U.S. We should find a way to celebrate that because if we celebrate that, I think that we’ll feel much better about our lives.” Starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, Dr. Ruiz is presenting “The Geotourism Corridor: Southern Arizona’s Gateway to Discovery” during Show & Tell at Playground Bar & Lounge, 278 E. Congress St. Attendees can expect to be engaged and inspired by Dr. Ruiz’s presentation while learning about the beautiful and interesting elements that make Tucson and Southern Arizona an extremely special place to live and visit. n

Food and beverages are available for purchase. Show & Tell is hosted by UA’s Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry on a monthly basis. The bridgebuilding effort strives to connect the community with a wide variety of UA professors’ projects and research through multi-media presentations in the relaxed atmosphere of a Downtown lounge. Get more details on the center and its events at Confluencenter.arizona.edu. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 25

26 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Photo by Ed Flores.

arts Z UA Dance Ensemble members Daniel Burgeno, Andrew DiGerolamo and Alexa Huey perform in the “In Focus Student Spotlight” from Thu, Dec 4- Sun, Dec 7.

Jenna Johnson performs as the Sugar Plum Fairy for Ballet Tucson as part of "The Nutcracker," which shows Fri, Dec 26Sun, Dec 28.

Performances

THE GASLIGHT THEATRE The Secret Santa continues through January. 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. 886-9428, TheGaslightTheatre.com

ARTIFACT DANCE PROJECT Down In Town shows Sat, Dec 13 at 6:30pm.

LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP The Game’s Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays

$15. 17 E. Toole Ave. 780-6879, ArtifactDanceProject.org

ARIZONA FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC Pacifica Quartet with Anthony McGill takes place Wed, Dec 10- Thu, Dec 11. TCC’s Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave. 577-3769, ArizonaChamberMusic.org

ARIZONA ONSTAGE PRODUCTIONS The Story Of My Life opens Thu, Dec 4. 270-3332, ArizonaOnStage.org

continues through Sun, Dec 28. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: A Christmas Sing-ALong continues through Sun, Dec 21. See website for prices and times. 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. 327-4242, LiveTheatreWorkshop.org

NOT BURNT OUT JUST UNSCREWED

Shows every Friday and Saturday throughout December. Unscrewed Theater, 3244 E. Speedway Blvd. 861-2986, UnscrewedComedy.com

ARIZONA REPERTORY SINGERS

ODYSSEY STORYTELLING SERIES

ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY Murder for Two continues through Sat, Dec

PCC THEATRE ARTS

Heavenly Light Holiday Concerts take place Sun, Dec 7; Sun, Dec 14 and Fri, Dec 19. $15. See website for locations and times. 792-8141, ArSingers.org

20. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 884-8210, ArizonaTheatre.org

BALLET TUCSON The Nutcracker shows Fri, Dec 26- Sun, Dec 28. Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. 903-1445, BalletTucson.org

BERGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Lunasa, an Irish quintet, performs Sun, Dec 14. $24-$30. InConcertTucson.com7pm. 1200 W. Speedway.

BLACK CHERRY BURLESQUE Tantalizing burlesque performance on Fri, Dec 5. Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. 882-0009, TucsonBurlesque.com

CARNIVAL OF ILLUSION Performances continue through December. See website for times. Tucson Double Tree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way. 615-5299, CarnivalOfIllusion.com

CIVIC ORCHESTRA OF TUCSON Concerts take place Sun, Dec 7 and Sun, Dec 14. Performances of The Nutcracker take place Sat, Dec 27 and Sun, Dec 28. See website for venues and prices. 730-3371, COTMusic.org

DON’T BLINK BURLESQUE

The Tuesday Night Tease takes place every Tuesday night throughout December. 9pm. The Hut, 305 N. 4th Ave. 245-0532, DontBlinkBurlesque.com

FOX THEATRE

Judy Collins performs Tue, Dec 2. Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood perform Sat, Dec 6. Dr. John performs Sun, Dec 7. Swingin’ Christmas takes place Fri, Dec 12. Tucson Girls Chorus Sounds of Winter Concert takes place Sat, Dec 13. Randy Houser performs Sun, Dec 14. Merry-Achi Christmas takes place Thu, Dec 18. Prices Vary. 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org

OMG! The Cringe Show takes place Thu, Nov 4. 7:00pm; Free. Fluxx Studios and Gallery, 416 E. 9th St. 730-4112, OdysseyStoryTelling.com College Wind Ensemble Concert takes place Thu, Dec 4; 7:30pm. $6. 2202 W. Anklam Rd. 206-6670, Pima.edu/cfa

ST FRANCIS THEATRE Christmas, My Way - A Sinatra Holiday Bash! takes place Thu, Dec 11- Sat, Dec 13 & Thu, Dec 18- Sat, Dec 20. $17-$25. 7:30pm. 4625 E. River Rd. BrownPaperTickets.com

TUCSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Emily and the Ghost Flute perform Sat, Dec 6. Vadim Gluzman performs Sat, Dec 6. Brahms and Prokofiev takes place Fri, Dec 5 and Sun, Dec 7. Messiah and Bach takes place Sat, Dec 13 and Sun, Dec 14. Magic of Christmas takes place Sat, Dec 20 and Sun, Dec 21. TCC’s Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. 882-8585, TucsonSymphony.org

UA’S

ARIZONA REPERTORY THEATRE Encore! and Freshman Debut takes place Wed, Dec 10. Harold Dixon Directing Studio. 621-1162, web.cfa.arizona.edu/theatre UA DANCE In Focus Student Spotlight takes place Thu, Dec 4- Sun, Dec 7. $12-$25. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1713 E. University Blvd. 621-1162, Dance.Arizona.Edu

UA PRESENTS Manheim Steamroller Christmas takes place Sat, Dec 27. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. 621-3341, UAPresents.org

UA’S SCHOOL OR MUSIC Holiday Card To Tucson takes place Sun, Dec 7; 3pm & 7:30pm. St Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave. 14th Annual William Wolfe Guitar Award Recital takes place Sun, Dec 7; 2:30pm. $5. Holsclaw Hall.626-9227, UofAHolidayCard.com

ZUZI! DANCE COMPANY Family and Friends Sharing takes place Sat, Dec 6. Solstice Celebration takes place Sat, Dec 20. Zuzi’s Little Theater, 738 N. 5th Ave. 6290237, ZUZIMoveIt.org

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 27

28 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

arts Z

"Why Won't Anybody Help Me?" by Mark Mulroney shows at Joseph Gross Gallery as part of the exhibit "Something's Dripping," which continues through January.

Art by Ruben Urrea Moreno shows as part of the exhibit "Snakes and Ladders," which continues through Sat, Dec 27 at Contreras.

“Agave Azul” by Acacia Alder shows at Wilde Meyer Gallery as part of the exhibit “Art for the Holidays,” which opens Thu, Dec 4.

art Galleries/exhibits CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY Performance: Contemporary Photography from the Douglas Nielsen Collection continues through January 2015. MonFri, 9am-5pm; Sat & Sun, 1pm-4pm. 1030 N. Olive Rd. 621-7968, CreativePhotography.org

CONTRERAS GALLERY Snakes and Ladders by Ruben Urrea Moreno shows Sat, Dec 6- Sat, Dec 27. Reception Sat, Dec 6 from 6pm-9pm. Tues-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 110 E. 6th St. 398-6557, ContrerasHouseFineArt.com

DAVIS DOMINGUEZ GALLERY Video Composites, Light Boxes & The Pool Project Installation by Pamela Marks, Carrie Seid and Alfred Quiroz continues through Sat, Dec 6. Figurative Works: paintings by Charlotte Bender, paintings and works on paper by Jan Olsson and sculpture by Judith Stewart opens Thu, Dec 11. Reception Sat, Dec 13. Tue-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 154 E. 6th St. 629-9759, DavisDominguez.com

DECO ART TUCSON

Ignite: Neon and Light Show continues through January. Tue, Wed, Sat, 11am-4pm; Thu, Fri; 11am-5pm. 2612 E. Broadway. 319-0888, DecoArtTucson.com

DEGRAZIA GALLERY IN THE SUN Degrazia Paints the Signs of the Zodiac continues through January 2015. Degrazia’s Greatest Hits continues through January 2015. Digital photography by Le Craven continues through Fri, Dec 12. Angels by Jane Stern shows Sun, Dec 14- Fri, Dec 26. Daily, 10am-4pm. 6300 N. Swan Rd. 299-9191, DeGrazia.org

DESERT ARTISANS GALLERY

Sonoran Sparkle continues through February. Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 10am-1:30pm. 6536 E. Tanque Verde Rd. 722-4412, DesertArtisansGallery.com

ETHERTON GALLERY

Land Exposures continues through January. Tue-Sat, 11am-5pm. 135 S. 6th Ave. 624-7370, EthertonGallery.com

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART See website for details. General Admission: $8, adults; free, children under 12, members, military; free to all last Sunday of the month. Wed-Sun, 12pm-5pm. 265 S. Church Ave. 624-5019, MOCA-Tucson.org

PHILABAUM GLASS GALLERY & STUDIO Wired II continues through January. Holiday Studio Sale Fri, Dec 5- Sat, Dec 6 from 10am-5pm. Tue-Sat, 10am5pm. 711 S. 6th Ave. 884-7404, PhilabaumGlass.com/

SOUTHERN ARIZONA WATERCOLOR GUILD Holiday Show takes place Tue, Dec 9- Sun, Jan 4. Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm. Free. SAWG Gallery, 5605 E. River Rd. 299-7294, SouthernAzWatercolorGuild.com

TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART See website for details. Tue-Wed & Fri-Sat, 10am5pm; Thu, 10am-8pm; Sun, noon-5pm. $10, adults; $8, seniors; $5, college students w/ ID; Free youth 18 and under, members, veterans and active military. Free to all the first Sunday of the month. 140 N. Main Ave. 624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org

UA MUSEUM OF ART Mapping Q shows Wed, Dec 3- Wed, Dec 31. Tue- Fri, 9am-5pm. Sat-Sun, 12pm-4pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 621-7567, ArtMuseum.Arizona.Edu

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF TUCSON Talk to the Animals runs Sun, Dec 14- Sun, Jan 1. Reception Sun, Dec 14; 11:45am-1pm. Tue-Fri, 9am-1pm; Sun, 11:45am-1pm. 4831 E. 22nd St, 748-1551.

WEE GALLERY The Ancients by Stu Jenks opens Sat, Dec 6. Thu-Sat; 11am-6pm, Sun; 11am-5pm. 439 N. 6th Ave Suite #171. 360-6024, GalleryWee.com

WILDE MEYER GALLERY Small Works- Big Impressions opens Tue, Dec 4. Art for the Holidays opens Thu, Dec 4. Mise en Scéne opens Tue, Dec 4. Mon-Fri, 10am5:30pm; Thu, 10am-7pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 12pm-5pm. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 3001 E. Skyline Dr. WildeMeyer.com

WOMANKRAFT ART GALLERY The Holiday Bazaar continues through Sat,

JOSEPH GROSS GALLERY Something’s Dripping by Mark Mulroney continues

Dec 20. Wed-Sat; 1pm-5pm. 388 S. Stone Ave. 629-9976, WomanKraft.org

through January. Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 626-4215, CFA.arizona.edu/galleries

YIKES TOYS AND GIFT-O-RAMA Bugs, Bones, Butterflies- original gouache

LOUIS CARLOS BERNAL GALLERY Then And Now continues through Fri,

and ink paintings by Wil Taylor continues through Wed, Dec 31. Mon- Sat, 10am-5:30pm; Sun, 10am-3pm. Yikes Toys and Gift O-Rama, 2930 E. Broadway Blvd. 320-5669, YikesToys.com

Dec 12. Mon-Thu; 10am-5pm. Fri; 10am-3pm. 2202 W. Anklam Rd. 206-6942, Pima.Edu/cfa

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 29

A Look

Back 2014 at

32 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Connect Coworking opens, Spring 2014

Davis-Monthan Air show, April 2014 December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 33

34 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Tucsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sun Link Streetcar begins service, July 25.

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 35

Z look back

Mat Bevel building is leveled in the Warehouse Art District to make way for a new road.

36 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Dexter gives one of the first public rides on the Sun Link.

Tucsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cityscape continued to change in 2014. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 37

Z look back

Chris Bianco gives a pep talk to his employees moments before opening Pizzeria Bianco in July. 38 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Buffalo Exchange celebrates 40 years by “roaming” the U.S. in a decorated Airstream trailer.

Calexico performs live at Access Tucson. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 39

Z look back

All Souls Procession finale, early November.

The Coronet Opens. 40 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

First Saturdays Artwalks and the opening of Baker + Hesseldenz Fine Art.

Businesses along 9th St restore their signs.

IUD with Lizzi Bougatos, Sadie Laska, and Spencer Sweeney perform at MOCA in May. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 41

Z look back

The view from Herbert Residential.

Summer monsoon. 42 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Kino Parkway & 22nd St bridge is constructed.

Mayor Jonathan Rothschild surveys downtown from the newly built, One East Broadway.

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 43

Z look back

A day at the races, Rillito Park, February 2014. 44 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Lunar Eclipse from Tucson, April 15, 2014.

Fed by Threads moves to Congress St. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 45

Z look back

46 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

R Bar opens.

December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 47

Z look back

Sidecar opens at Broadway Village.

Steven Romo, right, launches his monthly show, Romo Tonight Live, at The Flycatcher.

48 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Artists Tom Walbank and Danny Martin share a moment.

2014 World Cup Soccer live at The Rialto Theatre. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 49

50 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

garden Z

Radicchio

A Few of My Favorite Greens by Brandon Merchant

One thing that I’m realizing more and more over the years is that for Tucson gardeners, the fun really never has to stop. Why should it after all? When late October temps hover in the 90s and Thanksgiving day is a comfortable 80 degrees, it’s no wonder many of us are taking the opportunity to put the pedal to the metal and plant right through December and into the new year. With such beautiful autumn conditions, can you really blame us? It’s times like these when I have to remind myself to take a step back and enjoy the fruits, or in this case, the leaves of my labor. Luckily for me this is not an issue this time of year because I am a greens lover and when it comes to winter vegetable gardens, leafy greens dominate the landscape. Sadly, for many mine is not the prevailing opinion. Ask any random person their opinion of radicchio, dandelion, or mustard greens and you’re bound to get a few of the same responses: They taste bitter, they stink up the house when cooked, or worst of all they induce, how do you say... stomach issues. For this reason, winter vegetable gardens are more often than not over run with lettuce, spinach, and chard. Of course there’s nothing at all wrong with growing lettuce, spinach, or chard. I have and will continue to plant all three this year and for years to come, but what many don’t realize is that there are a tremendous amount of leafy green vegetables available to the home gardener that are not usually available at the grocery store. These nutritious cousins of cabbage, lettuce, and mustard are often very easy to grow and they will not only add diversity to your garden but to your culinary endeavours as well. Even though lettuce belongs to one of the largest families of flowering plants, remarkably, only a few of the plants in the family are edible. Of those that are edible, even fewer are grown and eaten. Of those that are the most popular are the non-bitter lettuces such as romaine, leaf, and butterhead types . Not so popular are the more bitter cousins of lettuce; chicory, endive, escarole, and radicchio. Unlike lettuces which are mostly eaten raw, these lettuce cousins can hold up to more rigorous cooking methods such as grilling or braising so they are more often cooked before being consumed. Cooking these

greens along with using a little extra salt will help to mask some of the bitterness these greens possess. Many of the greens and root crops that we enjoy today were first domesticated in Central Asia thousands of years ago. Some of the more popular types like turnips, radish, bok choy are very common in home vegetable gardens around Tucson. Others such as mizuna and tatsoi are somewhat common since they have made their way into grocery store salad mixes, even so, they are not usually found in most home gardens. Not so common on the other hand are the many varieties of Asian greens such as mibuna, Chinese broccoli, Chinese cabbage, and Chinese kale that are widespread throughout Asia. If you are a fan of the cuisine of Southeast Asia you are in luck because there are dozens if not hundreds of varieties of Asian greens available to the home gardener that normally would not even be available in speciality markets. One of my favorite greens for growing during tucson winters includes a spinach-mustard known as Komatsuna. Komatsuna has a mild flavor that resembles spinach and can be used as a replacement for spinach in many dishes. Another favorite, Gai Choi, is a Chinese mustard that has a great pungent flavor that gets better with age. Both grow well during our mild winters and both can be obtained from Kitazawa Seed CO. One of my gardening goals that I try hard to accomplish every year is to try and plant something new and expand my horizons just a little bit. Over the years I’ve grown to enjoy many fruits and vegetables that I once found to be unpalatable. It’s often forgotten that food grown and harvested at home tastes exceptionally better than the food you find in grocery stores and even farmers markets. If you’ve had a negative experience with bitter over cooked greens in the past, I strongly suggest you give the home grown varieties a try. I think you may find yourself pleasantly surprised.

Brandon Merchant is the proprietor of Southwest Victory Gardens. Visit his website at SouthwestVictoryGardens.com. December 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 51

Z food&drink

Table Settings A conversation with Patricia Schwabe by Zócalo Staff

Patricia Schwabe is the owner of Penca, a Mexican restaurant located at 50 E. Broadway Blvd., in downtown Tucson. Recently she sat down with Zócalo and shared some of her personal thoughts on Penca, food, and family.

B On opening Penca

D On What sHe Loves to Cook At home I cook any style of food. I really try to be seasonal and cook with seasonal ingredients. Sometimes it’s more Mexican food other times it’s something inspired by books or travels. Color and flavors are important to me.

Penca Opened its doors February 28, 2013, on the west end of downtown. The restaurant occupies a turn of the century building. Graham Brother’s Motors was a previous occupant in the 30s. And later, Dodge Motors purchased the business. Other uses have been a Pantry Shop, Title Company, and Curious Shop. My husband Ron and his business partner Gwen Weiner purchased the bordered up property around 2009. In 2008, Providence Corporation leased 90% of the property. I was then the agent showing the property for Peach. I tried renting the space that Penca now occupies, but back then everyone’s opinion of the space was that it was too far west and too small, and needs too much work. One day Ron says to me, maybe you should open something there. And that was the beginning of the idea.

E On The Flavors sHe Loves

C on the inspiration behind penca

G On what she makes for the holidays

I deduced to open a restaurant, what scale? I wasn’t sure. Two things I knew, I wanted to serve traditional Mexico City food and I knew I wanted a great bar program. My family is from Mexico City, I am blessed to have a mother that is an excellent cook. I grew up eating traditional meals in Mexico and then later here in the states. Sonoran food for its proximity to Tucson is the style of food we all know. But I wanted our guests to experience some of the food I grew up eating and that I continue to enjoy. Now about the bar. I also knew we needed something that went along with the food. Something real and not gimmicky. I hired Luke Anable and Bryan Eichhorst to create an international bar, to search for wines and spirits from regions that produced unique flavors. The vision was set. They worked on it and delivered.

Tamales, mole, champurrado, a drink with cocoa and corn, buñuelos with a traditional syrup with tejocotes, cinammon, and the holiday punch I grew up drinking. Fruits, apples, oranges, tejocotes, cinnamon, cardomon, anis. I love to walk into my mother’s house and smell the fragrance all the way from the front door.

52 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | December 2014

Funny that you ask. I love layers. I love the balance of savory and sweet. Ancho chile and papilla are my favorite chiles for their smoky but sweet flavor and dark color. With Ancho and Pasilla chiles you can cook so many different meals, from eggs, chilaquiles, tamales, and on short ribs. You can also mix them with chocolate. Endless combinations.

F On Foods sHe Craves Thank goodness I stopped craving after my 3rd child. But I do crave; goat, cabrito in salsa borracha, mezcal infused salsa. A great dessert and a Tepache or our new Corn Mezcal, aqua miel, chiltepin drink. Another great balance of flavors.

H On her family My kids learn by watching. Just today after being gone all day, I walked in the door and smelled cookies that my kids were making (Capra, Kharra, and Tagg.) They are the best bakers, I’m not, but they’ve been baking with my mother for years. They are very independent and they can make great meals.

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS 17 WEST CONGRESS

The Crown Jewel of Downtown

JUDY COLLINS DEC 2 | 7:30PM