Z贸calo Tucson arts and culture / ZOCALOMAGAZINE.COM / JANUARY 2014 / no. 48
index January 2014 05. Tidbits 06. Events 21. Arts 38. Community 44. Fashion 47. Food&Drink 50. Garden 54. Tunes 58. Life in Tucson on the cover:
Mat Bevel Character Series by Toshi Ueshina. Read about the Mat Bevel Institute’s big move on page 22.
Zócalo Magazine is a hyper-local independent media organization, focusing on Tucson culture.
PUBLISHER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Olsen EDITOR Jamie Manser CONTRIBUTORS Craig Baker, Marisa Bernal, Andrew Brown, Jon D’Auria, Emily Gindlesparger, James Jeffries, Eric Johns, Jim Lipson, Jamie Manser, Brandon Merchant, Miguel Ortega, Herb Stratford, Monica Surfaro Spigelman. LISTINGS Marisa Bernal, listings@zocalotucson.com PRODUCTION ARTISTS Troy Martin, David Olsen
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January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 3
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from the editor January’s uptick in ads for fitness centers always cracks me up. I usually feel a little guilty too, thinking I need to have some hard core resolutions for the new year because otherwise I’m a loser. Screw that. What these places are actually doing is manipulating guilt emotions to extract money from people for year-long memberships that probably go to waste by March. I’m sure the trainers have good intentions, but in reality, it is up to the individual to make the choices each day to either curl up on the couch or go to yoga. It boils down to breaking old habits and establishing new ones. I heard this great interview on NPR a few months ago that inspired me to buy “The Power of Habit: Why we do what we do in life and business.” It’s a pleasure to read, even for people who aren’t science nerds, because it is written with storytelling grace by New York Times reporter Charles Duhigg. Duhigg takes us to the front lines of leading neurological research that basically tells us this: “When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making.” We’re essentially automatons responding to engrained cues to satisfy our craving brains. “Unless you deliberately fight a habit–unless you find new routines–the pattern will unfold automatically.” The beauty of learning such things is that, “once you break a habit into its components, you can fiddle with the gears.” And why not use the new year to start shifting gears, creating goals and writing them down to track your progress and acknowledge your set backs? Don’t put yourself on trial though, just ease into whatever changes you are hoping to make with the Gregorian calendar’s restart. Or use any day to start, it doesn’t matter. As Duhigg writes, just remember that “change may not be fast and it isn’t always easy. But with time and effort, almost any habit can be reshaped.” – Jamie Manser
tidbits “A Certain Slant of Light: Emerging from the Shadows of Mental Illness,” book reception is on Friday, Jan. 15 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Out With the Old
Make room for your new holiday goods! Clear out your closets and cupboards of swapable items and head to your local Pima County Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 4. Seven locations are hosting the annual post-holiday Freecycle™ swap from 2 p.m.-4 p.m., including: Dusenberry-River Branch Library, 5605 E. River Rd., Eckstrom-Columbus Branch Library, 4350 E. 22nd St., Himmel Park Branch Library, 1035 N. Treat Ave., Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave., Martha Cooper Branch Library, 1377 N. Catalina Ave., Quincie Douglas Library, 1585 E. 36th St., and Woods Memorial Branch Library, 3455 N. First Ave. Inquiries can be answered by calling 791-4010.
TreeCycle!
Continuing through Jan. 12, residents can recycle their Christmas trees through the City of Tucson’s TreeCycle Program. There are nine locations accepting trees, with the list available at TucsonAZ.gov/treecycle. Remember to remove all ornaments, decorations and tree stands and consider tree pooling— fewer trips means cleaner air! Be advised, the City of Tucson is not collecting Christmas trees from curbs and alleys and other green waste cannot be accepted at TreeCycle. Additionally, from Jan. 4 through Jan. 12, the City of Tucson will have wood chips from shredded Christmas trees available for pick-up at Udall Park, Randolph Golf Course, and the Los Reales Landfill. Bring your own container and take home some free wood chips for your garden. Details are on the website or by calling 791-5000.
O2 Closes, DNA Opens
After four years of offering a variety of fitness classes, O2 Modern Fitness closed shop on Dec. 30. The same location, 186 E. Broadway Blvd., will be the new Downtown locale for DNA Personal Training–which offers personal training, semi-private training, group training and nutritional consulting. DNA will honor O2 patrons’ remaining class passes through the end of February, and is aiming to open Monday, Jan. 6. An “O2 Closing, DNA Opening” potluck is on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Find more information at O2ModernFitness.com and DNAPersonalTraining.com.
“A Certain Slant of Light”
The Coyote Task Force, whose mission is to “support individuals recovering from persistent, chronic mental illnesses; to help them regain their ability to move towards their recovery with a focus on reintegration into the community,” releases a chapbook this month comprised of works by participants in the task force’s Thursday Writing Group. As board member of Coyote Task Force, which includes Café 54 and Our Place Clubhouse, Sheila Wilensky explains in the press release, “Misconceptions about mental illness abound. A few weeks after the Jan. 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, an Our Place Clubhouse member asked, ‘What is it with people? Why do they think that anyone with a mental illness may pull out a gun anytime and indiscriminately start shooting?’” The question stuck with Wilensky, who is also a local writer, editor, and educator. She started the task force’s Thursday Writing Group in September 2012 to confront such erroneous notions with the intention of producing a chapbook to educate the public on biases toward those with mental illnesses. The result, “A Certain Slant of Light: Emerging from the Shadows of Mental Illness,” features 14 co-authors ranging in ages from 20s to 60s along with suggestions for concrete action on how to change attitudes about mental illness. The reception is on Friday, Jan. 15 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Our Place Clubhouse, 66 E. Pennington St. Email Wilensky at sheilawilensky@gmail.com for more information. January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 5
Z events photo: John Bae
Showcasing Innovative Tucson Homes by Emily Gindlesparger
FORS Architecture built this stunning dwelling, owned by Andy and Kami White. Photo courtesy Solana Outdoor Living
This property was designed by Kevin Howard with the landscape designed by Allen Denomy of Solana Outdoor Living. photo: John Bae
A FORS Architecture designed and built dwelling, owned by Andy and Kami White.
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In the three years since its inception, Austin-based Modern Home Tours has scoured dozens of cities across the country for the most inventive architectural gems. Of course the next stop had to be Tucson. “A lot of architects don't get the ink they deserve for their beautiful work,” says Ken Shallcross, Public Relations guru at Modern Home Tours. He sees the opportunity for these tours to open unique homes to the public to enjoy for one day. The Tucson tour takes place Sunday, Jan. 19, the day after a sister tour in Scottsdale. Participants will get a map for their selfguided drive to the open doors of local modern homes. Kami and Andy White's Oro Valley home is part of the circuit. Designed by FORS Architecture, it commands a stunning view of Pusch Ridge. The Whites say it was crucial in the design process to keep their home connected to its environment. “A great many homes in the desert use a traditional design that turns inward from the heat, at the sacrifice of connecting with the beautiful desert,” they wrote in an email. “By using extensive glass, protected by deep overhangs or shading metal work, the home offers a rarely enjoyed connection to the desert. The ridge top site really screamed for a home with this design approach to fully appreciate the magnificence of the view.” To keep the view unobstructed, the designers installed a unique fireplace along the floor-to-ceiling windows that span the length of the living room, with no chimney to break the panorama. All around the house, carefully planned windows let in light, so the Whites can watch it shift across the mountains and their home through the day. “We very much feel a part of the landscape when in the home.” Another home on the tour in Marana was landscaped by Solana Outdoor Living to integrate it into the surroundings, which include the Tortolita Mountains on one side and the Ritz Carlton golf course on the other. The landscape design capitalizes on the sunset views with a full perimeter overflow pool that reflects the sky's colors on its mirrored surface. A water feature in the front courtyard borrows the same principles. “We wanted to keep everything rectilinear and timeless, and break it up a little bit so there’s a little asymmetry that balances the elements throughout the property,” explains Solana designer Allen Denomy. Additionally, features on the grounds were installed with water conservation in mind, sloping the contours to make the most of the rain that falls onsite. An irrigation system doles out water precisely when it's needed. A fence around the property crafted from bent rebar and steel flowers blends to the environment, keeping all eyes up to the view. With this house, Solana Outdoor Living sought to create a livable space outside, complementary to what's inside. “What’s unique about our Tucson climate is the usability of our outdoor living; we have a longer use of our outdoor space, and it’s become an important place to develop and customize.” While the final lineup for Tucson's Modern Home Tour wasn't solidified as of press time, due to December's holidays, it will be sure to include the work of local artists and architects that show off not just the houses, but equally the land they reside upon. n The Modern Home Tour is Sunday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $30 online in advance, $40 day of. Discount packages are available if combined with the Scottsdale Home Tour on Jan. 18. Visit ModernHomeTours.com/Event/Tucson for more details or ring 1-888-611-6882.
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photo: courtesy Downtown Tucson Partnership
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A Celebration of Notorious Tucson History by James J. Jeffries
A long-recognized component of Tucson’s image has been colored by a rugged streak, in part because of its indelible perception as an outpost of the Old West (bolstered by decades of Hollywood productions at Old Tucson), but also thanks to the history surrounding the capture of one of the most infamously popular bank robbers that ever lived, one John Herbert Dillinger, at the Hotel Congress on Jan. 23, 1934. Dillinger was the poster child for an era in which the exploits of criminals fast became fodder for an opportunistic national media eager to print lurid tales of larceny for an American audience hungry for anything to take their minds off the harsh reality of Depression-era economic woes. It was an audience already primed for such stories by the explosive gang violence plaguing the country as bootleggers ran their illicit trade in bloody earnest thanks to Prohibition, which had been in effect since 1920. Dillinger and other infamous scofflaws of the time had become escapist antiheroes for a populace that had grown restless and incredibly skeptical of its institutions. No drinks, no jobs, no fun. Dillinger himself gained fame as an absolutely brazen bank robber with balls of brass, executing a daring string of heists after leaving prison in May of 1933, after having served an eight-and-a-half-year stretch that turned him hard and mean. It was the lawless trail Dillinger blazed across America that actually spawned a federal initiative to form the Bureau of Investigation, which later became the FBI, as no law enforcement agency then had the power to seek justice across state lines. This cavalcade of cutthroat crimes came to a screeching halt in Tucson, when Dillinger’s gang had to flee a fire in a nearby room as they hid out under assumed names at Downtown's Hotel Congress. They were arrested in various parts of town by the Tucson Police Department after firefighters recognized members of the gang. Not a single shot was fired,
just a twist of fate and an eagle eye from Tucson’s finest managed to pull off what so many other law enforcement agencies in America had been unable to do. “It’s just this incredible aspect of the history of Tucson,” explained David Slutes, Entertainment Director for the Hotel Congress. “We feel like it’s something to be proud of, and it should be out in the open.” The first Dillinger reenactment was staged as a small theatrical ‘play’ of sorts right in the lobby of the Hotel Congress in the mid-1990s, and going forward, the story has become an ever-more visible part of the historic hotel’s identity, right down to small signs in the outdoor planters featuring a photo of Dillinger warning you NOT to mess with his plants. “We thought, 'why not embrace and celebrate this moment...give people a taste of the times, and provide Downtown with a great event',” said Slutes. Dillinger Days begins its slate of activities with a Speakeasy on Friday, Jan. 24, featuring live music, a 1930s costume contest, whiskey, cigars, memorabilia from the era and much more. The next day, Saturday, Jan. 25, hosts reenactments of the capture, live music, food, a vintage car show, and games, and will very much be a family-friendly program of events. A portion of the weekend’s proceeds benefits the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation, whose mission is to assess and respond to unmet needs of the greater Tucson firefighter community by facilitating access to health and wellness resources, while recognizing the firefighting heritage and culture.n More information is available from Hotel Congress, located at 311 E. Congress St., online at HotelCongress.com and by phone at (520) 622-8848. Article courtesy of Downtown Tucson Partnership. January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 9
photo courtesy Tucson Chinese Cultural Center
Z events
Tucson Sino Dancers at the 2013 Chinese New Year celelebration at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center.
Express Your Inner Horse East to West: We’ve barely passed through Kwanzaa and Christmas, but it’s time to get ready for the next great holiday remix this month. by Monica Surfaro Spigelman Pass the lucky-money envelopes and deck the halls anew with simply red. In the spirit of inclusiveness, tradition and fun, Tucson soon should be awash with exotic new year revelry. But don’t forget your saddle, because this is 4711, the Year of the Horse – one of the animals from the Chinese zodiac which rotates annually at this time of the Lunar New Year. Tradition tells us that those born under the sign of the horse are energetic, intelligent, good communicators and physically strong. Of all the zodiac animals, horses love crowds and entertainment, so expect good social karma to bless Tucson during this most important and longest holiday, which lasts 15 days and begins on Jan. 31. 10 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
While Chinese (as well as Korean, Vietnamese and many other Asian) families around town celebrate by feasting at home and making auspicious, elaborate paper cuts to hang from their windows, the rest of us will want to head over to the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (TCCC), 1288 W. River Rd., to channel this traditional seasonal festival. Opened in 2006, the TCCC’s River Road headquarters is the community hub for Tucson’s Chinese-American population, whose legacy in Tucson’s development started along Main Avenue downtown in the 1800s, and grew to include prominence in agriculture, grocery and other businesses across the region.
Now this 15,000 square-foot facility is host to a range of programs and services from business development to Tai Chi for elders, and is a community resource dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Chinese culture across Tucson. TCCC also houses a basketball court, community meeting spaces and a library, but nothing matches the concentrated burst of fiesta-styled energy that infuses Tucson via the center’s Lunar New Year celebration. This year the public is invited to welcome in the Year of the Horse at TCCC on Sat., Feb. 1. That’s when you can snake your way through a Chinese cultural extravaganza throughout the center's grounds, enjoying Chinese dancing, folk crafts, songs, instruments, foods and
events Z martial arts that demonstrate 5,000 years of cultural tradition. The exquisite Tucson Sino Dance will be there, as will tastings of various Chinese province cuisine. If you’ve not tried the traditional Jiaozi dumplings, local chefs including Wanda Zhang of Oro Valley’s Harvest Moon Chinese restaurant will be preparing the delicacy. (See her recipe, right). You’ll also get a chance to see the Tucson Lion Dancers, accompanied by traditional drums, cymbals and gong, in a colorful ceremony intended to drive away evil spirits and summon good luck. This precision dance requires years of training and a high degree of mental and physical fitness, and Tucson’s troupe (always a show stopper at the Rodeo Parade), has just returned from performing its twists and turns throughout the televised Dec. 28 Fiesta Bowl parade. California author Sylvia Sun Minnick (who did groundbreaking work on the ethnography of the Stockton and San Joaquin Valley Chinese, and advises the Tucson Center’s local history program) also will sign copies of her new memoir, Never a Burnt Bridge, and present Chinese-American women stories of success and survival at the festival. Center President Richard Fe Tom says the showcase of regional foods, culture and entertainment attracts thousands. “We’re celebrating our biggest and most important cultural holiday, and there is something for everyone,” notes Tom, who emigrated from China as a child in the late 1950s. “For those tied directly to our culture, it’s also a time to stay connected with our heritage and our roots. At this time and throughout the year, Chinese Center also serves as a voice to remind ourselves and the community of the many societal and economic contributions the Chinese Americans have made in Tucson and the Southwest. ” For two joyous weeks after the Saturday Feb. 1 celebration, Tucson can expect a ritual of New Year’s activities to continue across the city. According to TCCC's board member and history committee chair Robin Blackwood, families traditionally will clean their homes prior to the New Year’s arrival, sweeping out old, bad luck and allowing the good luck of the new year to enter. During the commemoration traditionally there’s no cleaning, so New Year’s good luck will not be swept away, she says. “On the final night of the festival there are more dances, feasting, fireworks and displays of the paper lanterns that have brought light and color to Chinese observances for centuries,” Blackwood continues, “with mandarin oranges and tangerines, symbols of abun-
dance and good fortune, given as gifts.” While the New Year’s festivity grabs your attention, there are other activities throughout the year to help you further meander through Tucson’s Chinese culture and commemorate this Year of the Horse. The center hosts lunch every Thursday to over 100 seniors, and also offers Tai Chi, lectures, mahjong and good fellowship. The center’s Chinese School teaches Mandarin Chinese and as well conducts classes in song, dance, ping pong, badminton and other arts. The center’s History Program is reaching into historic neighborhoods and including neighbors in its programs. A collection of storyboards telling tales of local Chinese families is on display in the TCCC and is free for public viewing. Come spring, there will be a celebration of Tai Chi and Asian healthy living, and the summer Dragonboat Festival is highlighted by preparation of zongzi (Chinese tamales) by the Center’s Senior Program. A mid-autumn festival is marked by a youth lantern-design competition and lantern parade. And so Tucson – a horse town in so many ways – finds one more reason to claim its title. To honor your inner horse, Zócalo suggests you dress in red, make some noise to ward off bad spirits and bring yourself special fortune by displaying fresh flowers. Remember your ancestors with poems written on red paper. Add Gung Hay Fat Choy (Cantonese) or Xin Nian Kuai Le (Mandarin) when extending your New Year’s howdy. Remember how much a part we really are of this immensely diverse city, with so many treasured traditions still unbroken. n The Year of the Horse Lunar New Year celebration at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Rd., is Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. General admission: $2; free for children under 12. Year of the Horse Dinner and Fundraiser is being held Sat., Feb. 8, commencing at 5 p.m. at the Westin La Paloma Resort. The gala will feature live performance, a silent auction, casino and elaborate dinner. Tickets are $150 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center. Call the Center at 292-6900 for additional information. The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (TucsonChinese.org) is open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Chinese New Year Dumplings Wanda Zhang (Harvest Moon Restaurant in Oro Valley) will demonstrate Chinese cooking techniques at TCCC’s Feb. 1 Festival. Following is her recipe for New Year’s jiaozi (which makes about 20 to 40 of the dumplings, depending on your wrapping skills, which can take years to perfect): 4 4 2 2 1
ounces shrimp ounces Napa cabbage tablespoons finely chopped green onion tablespoons finely chopped cilantro pound ground pork (or chicken)
Pinch salt 1 teaspoon garlic-flavored olive oil 3 ounces chicken broth 1 ounce cooking wine 2 tablespoons cornstarch 3/4 teaspoon sugar Pinch white pepper 1 teaspoon oyster sauce 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon ginger 1 package Peking Potsticker Wraps 2 teaspoons vegetable oil (for skillet) Water 1. Separately chop shrimp, cabbage, green onion and cilantro into very fine pieces. 2. Mix together shrimp, cabbage, green onion, cilantro, and ground pork, then add the rest of the ingredients (except wrappers, oil and water) and mix thoroughly. 3. Take 1 potsticker wrap and using a finger or brush line the rim of the wrap with a thin layer of water (use a spray bottle to mist water on the wrapper if still dry). 4. Place 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of the meat and vegetable mixture in the middle of the wrap. 5. Fold and repeat steps 3-4. 6. Fry about six potstickers at a time in a nonstick pan, using 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil at medium heat, until golden brown. Then add a half cup of water and cover pan with a lid (leaving enough of a crack on the lid to allow the steam to boil off). Continue cooking about 10 minutes. The wrap will appear to bubble away from the meat when done. n Source: Wanda Zhang, Harvest Moon Chinese restaurant, Oro Valley January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 11
photo: Randall Swindell
events Z Monica Warhol, cousin of the famous pop artist Andy Warhol, is the celebrity emcee at the Edible Art Gala.
photo: courtesy Tucson Arts Brigade
photo: courtesy Tucson Arts Brigade
Enjoy delicious and creative hors d’oeuvres and desserts and vote on the best ones.
Eat Your Hearts Out, Art Lovers! Tucson Arts Brigade’s Edible Art Gala features culinary art & more on Jan. 18. by Craig Baker It should be no great revelation to anyone that, as human beings, we need a few things beyond food, water and shelter to thrive. We need a general knowledge base and special skills to make and manage goods, homes, and businesses. We need exercise to maintain our optimum level of personal health. And we need the arts to make it all worthwhile. Says Vanessa Beard, Executive Director of the new artisan collective/ café/beer and wine bar, Maker House, what people make without an artfirst perspective “might be utilitarian, but,” she adds, “without art there is no beauty.” Here, here to that. Without that artisanal approach to engineering, there would be no Golden Gate Bridge. If there wasn’t a touch of artist in every great architect, then forget about Frank Lloyd Wright. If not for Steve Job’s attention to the aesthetes, you could say sayonara to all of those rounded rectangles. Put succinctly by Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB) Marketing Director Jodi Netzer: “Without arts education, you get zombies.” Since both organizations were united in the goal to make art more accessible to the masses, and since Maker House had already scheduled a Black and White Art show opening for mid-January, the decision to bring the non-profit community arts and education group to Maker House’s newly-restored 10,000 square foot space in the historic (not to mention stunning) Bates Mansion for their first fundraiser bash of 2014 seemed only natural. And thus, two independent art events became one mega-party. As far as art galas go, the Edible Art Gala may prove hard to top. Some highlights include art-inspired hors d’oeuvres provided by local culinary artisans (as of press time TAB was still accepting contributions, so local chefs and culinary professionals are encouraged to get in touch), live music by a number of local bands spanning every genre, plenty of booze, and a fabulous art auction featuring more than forty pieces from TAB’s Traveling Art Show and a dining set valued at over $3,000. Attendees are encouraged to wear art-themed costumes and participate in the fashion show for a shot at winning some groovy prizes. Local
Dress inspired by your favorite art piece or art movement and participate in the fashion show for a chance to win prizes!
artist Monica Warhol, a cousin to Andy Warhol who recently made headlines for a debacle involving her portrait of Kim Kardashian, has confirmed that she will emcee the event. As if that weren’t enough, the opening of Maker House’s Black and White Art Show with works by Danny Martin and Will Taylor will run concurrently. The money raised from ticket sales and the art auction will go directly back to TAB to support their many ongoing and expanding programs, like the Mural Arts Project, which encourages community members, especially youth, to take ownership of their neighborhoods through beautification and revitalization efforts. The murals installed by the program—like the one put in place under the heavily-graffitied overpass at 29th Street and Columbus—can cost upwards of $20,000. TAB Executive Director Michael B. Schwartz says there is also a high demand for the group’s after-school programs. Ideally, they would like to operate one such program in each of Tucson’s six Wards, though Schwartz says that the money just hasn’t been available. He says that as many as 15,000 people could benefit from a consistent after-school art program right now, but stresses that consistency is key. “When we run these programs,” Schwartz says matter-of-factually, “the kids excel.” So come one, come all to the Edible Art Gala and support a great cause, rub elbows with some of Tucson’s most popular artists, and make yourself feel like someone important as you schmooze, drink and dance the night away in a spectacular 1940’s mansion. What more could you possibly ask for? It all goes down on Saturday evening, Jan. 18 from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Maker House, 283 N. Stone Ave. Food and mingling from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., the fashion show and auction are from 8 p.m.- 9 p.m. and dancing from 9 p.m. to close. Tickets are $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door. More information is available online at TucsonArtsBrigade.org. January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 13
Kelley O'Connor is a featured performer at the Tucson Desert Song Festival.
The second annual Tucson Desert Song Festival returns from Jan. 30 to Feb. 16 and unites Tucson’s exceptional arts groups with worldrenowned performers to celebrate the power of song. The 11-day festival takes on the theme of French composition, as the work of beloved composers Debussy, Ravel, Berlioz, Poulenc and others will be performed by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Tucson Chamber Artists, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Tucson Guitar Society and Ballet Tucson - all being paired with some of the best vocalists in the world. “If you’re tuned into the world of opera, you will easily recognize the names of the singers. If you’re not tuned into the opera world, you’ll experience being in the room with a great voice,” says Tucson Symphony Orchestra's Music Director and Conductor George Hanson. “You respond to it in a very direct, almost physical way. When someone is a gifted and well-trained vocalist, it can start the air moving in a room in a way that it almost connects directly with everyone’s soul who shares that space with them. There are only a few hundred people in the world that can sing as such and that’s what we’re tapping into.” Kelley O’Connor, William Burden, Jordan Bisch, Jennifer Johnson Cano, Christine Goerke and Maria Jette are some of the prestigious singers collaborating with the Tucson ensembles, and special accompaniments have been prepared to showcase the virtuosic prowess and the wide range of the vocalists. It is a rare feat for a music community in any city to assemble such a remarkably talented cast, but this festival series stands as a true testament to the uniqueness of Tucson's art scene. “We’re honored to be part of this festival, which is quickly gaining national repute. It’s so special to have so many powerful stars coming to Tucson at one time and we’re thrilled to be one of the acts in the lineup,” says Eric Holtan, Tucson Chamber Artists' music director. “This is a particularly 14 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
photo: Zachary Maxwell Stertz
Z events
A Festival of Musical Decadence
by Jon D Auria
special performance for us because we’re also celebrating the 10th anniversary of TCA. The festival this year has a French theme, so we’re doing an all-French program. We’re calling the event 'Decadence' which signifies our decade of excellence, but also there’s no more decadent music than French composition.” The festival was sparked by the efforts of the event’s president Jack Forsythe, who - along with fellow co-founder Cecile Follansbee - had a vision to bring in the best musical voices in the world to pair them with the talent that resides in our desert city. After a highly successful initial run last season, Forsythe decided to take this year’s festival to a larger scale by bringing in bigger acts, utilizing numerous venues (Tucson Convention Center, Leo Rich Theatre, Temple of Music and Art, Crowder Hall, Holsclaw Hall, Fox Tucson Theatre, Tucson Symphony Center and Catalina Foothills High School Theater) and pairing with Casino Del Sol as the corporate sponsor to bring the cultural music to attendees who aren’t versed or exposed to opera or orchestra. “I was on the Arizona Opera board for some time, and I had an idea to do something like this for a long while. I met up with George Hanson and we talked about it and decided that to get the funding to bring in major world singers we’d need to have more than a symphony to attract that kind of attention,” explains Forsythe. “We decided on a 10-day period centering around vocal pieces that would be selected through larger themes. There’s such a demand for this type of performance here in town and we’re just happy to be able to supply it.” n The schedule of performances, tickets and more information about the festival are available at TucsonDesertSongFestival.org and by calling 1-888-546-3305.
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january Sat 4 HOLIDAY FREECYCLE SWAP
All items available for swapping. See website for locations. Free. 2pm-4pm. 791-4010, Library.Pima.Gov
SAJCC’S MOCHITSUKI Mochi (Japanese rice cake) demonstration and tasting. 1pm-4:30pm. $5$9. Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N Alvernon Way.
Fri 10 SUPER RAD AWESOME ART STUFF
A collaborative art and music show featuring five bands and 10 artists. $5. 8pm. Plush, 340 E. 6th St. 7981298, PlushTucson.com
Sat 11 2ND SATURDAYS A monthly downtown festival with live music, street performers and food vendors. Featuring K-Bass, Andy See and His Swinging Jamboree, plus more! Free. 2pm-8pm. 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com
TUCSON PRESIDIO: LIVING HISTORY DAYS Re-enactment of Tucson life from 1775-1856. 10am-3pm. Free. 133 W. Washington St. 837-8119, TucsonPresidio.com
BEYOND MAIN EVENT AT ARMORY PARK Fun activities and entertainment to get your body moving. 12pm-3pm. See website for more details. Armory Park, 221 S. 6th Ave. 975-8443, Beyond-Tucson.org
Wed 15 STREETCAR CELEBRATION
“Destination Main Gate Square” with merchants doing specials, promotions, entertainment and the modern streetcar will make an appearance. 4pm-8pm. University between Park and Euclid. StreetcarFriends.org
Thu 16-Sat 25 TUCSON INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 23rd annual film festival show-
Fri 17-Sat 18 WOMANKRAFT’S RUMMAGE BOUTIQUE Bi-annual rummage fair
Sat 25 FAIR
featuring books, music, games, decorations, etc. 8am-4pm. WomanKraft Art Center, 388 S. Stone Ave. 629-9976, WomanKraft.org
Fri 17-Sun 19 TUCSON QUILT FIESTA
More than 300 quilts, guest speaker Joe Cunningman and other quilted items displayed at 36th annual Tucson Quilt Show. $10. Fri-Sat; 9am-5pm. Sun;10am-4pm. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. 547-5463, TucsonQuiltersGuild.com
FORT LOWELL SOCCER SHOOTOUT Tucson Association of Realtors presents a soccer extravaganza for U.S. Youth Soccer and Arizona Youth Soccer. Prices vary for players. Fort Lowell Park, 2900 N. Craycroft Rd. 529-1493, www.FortLowellshootout. com
Sat 18 FREESTYLE RAP & BEAT BOX WORKSHOP Two hour workshop help by Rahman Jamaal of Rap Force Academy. 2pm-4pm. $10-$15. Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. 7th St. 398-2542, TheSeaofGlass.org
SENIOR PROM “BIG BAND BASH” A trip back to the 40s, 50s and 60s for guests 55+ hosted by MHS healthcare and The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance. $20-$25. MHC Healthcare, 13395 N. Marana Main St. Saaca.org
Fri 24 THE DRAWING STUDIO 2013 GALA CELEBRATION A Breath of Plein Air, an exhibit exploring the outdoors, takes place from 6:30pm9:30pm for a TDA benefit. Meet the artists preview Wed, Jan 22 from 5pm-7pm. $120. The Drawing Studio, 33 S. Sixth Ave. 620-0947, TheDrawingStudio.org
80TH DAYS
ANNIVERSARY
DILLINGER
Indoor and outdoor event centered around Hotel Congress, with Toole Avenue and 5th Avenue closed for outdoor stages. Downtown turns back the clock to the 1930s with period music, costumes, and re-enactments of the Dillinger Gang’s exploits in the Old Pueblo; includes film screenings and tours. Family-friendly, includes children’s activities. Free. 10am5pm. HotelCongress.com
Vegetarian
Spaghetti
Dinner
Tucson Peace Center fundraiser, social event, and prelude to the 32nd annual Peace Fair & Music Festival (Feb. 22). 6:00pm at First Christian Church, 740 E Speedway, with a requested $7 donation. www.TucsonPeaceCalendar.org or (520) 445-4110.
Sat, Feb 1 SAVOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL Enjoy Southern Arizona’s culinary arts featuring 40 chefs, wine, beer and cheese. $65-$75. 11am-3pm. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N Alvernon Way. 797-3959, Saaca.org
ONGOING WILDCAT HOCKEY
Wildcats take to the ice at the TCC against York University on Fri, Jan 3 & Sat, Jan 4. Oklahoma; Thu, Jan 9. Central Oklahoma Fri, Jan 10 & Sat, Jan 11. Liberty University; Fri, Jan 17 & Sat, Jan 18. San Diego State; Fri, Jan 24 & Sat Jan 25. Arizona State; Fri, Jan 31 and Sat, Feb 1. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. 7:30pm. Prices Vary. ArizonaWildcatHockey.org
Mondays MEET ME AT MAYNARDS (@Hotel Congress) Southern Arizona Roadrunners’ Monday evening, noncompetitive, social 3-mile run/walk, that begins and ends downtown at Hotel Congress, rain/shine/holidays included! 311 E. Congress St. 991-0733, MeetMeAtMaynards.com
casing the Jewish experience, current and historic, locally and internationally. See article on page 26 for more details. TucsonJewishFilmFestival.org
January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 17
Z events photos courtesy of BEYOND Tucson
BEYOND Tucson offers a variety of activities geared toward bringing the Tucson community together and commemorates the victims of Jan. 8, 2011.
BEYOND: A Guide Join in city-wide activities to honor community and memorialize the victims of Tucson’s Congress on Your Corner shootings on Jan. 8, 2011. by Emily Gindlesparger In its third year, BEYOND is settling into tradition as an active memorial to bring Tucsonans together to Commemorate, Celebrate, and Commit as a brighter, unified community. Here's your guide to making the most of the events spread across the city on Saturday, Jan. 11. For those who want to get out of town and into the mountains, there's a variety of activities and hikes on the wild perimeters. Starting at Sentinal Peak, volunteers will pull buffelgrass from "A Mountain," which was a favorite run of Gabe Zimmerman's, the Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' staff member who lost his life Jan. 8, 2011. The firefighters at Sentinel Peak Brewing will be giving their thanks in the form of beer samples from their new nano brewery. There's also guided hikes departing from the Wild Burro trailhead in the Tortolita Mountains, at Marana's 14810 N. Secret Springs Dr.; and from Sabino Canyon, where parking fees will be waived and programs will engage folks of all ages. In addition, hikers, bikers and horseback riders can convene at the Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon trailhead south of the Rincon Mountains, off of Highway 83. For the competitive, there's the Colossal Du, a rugged run-bike-run in Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail. The park will throw its own festivities, with free Discovery Tours and an archaeology hike of Hohokam sites. Across town, a 5-mile social run will show off the scenery at Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Rd. For the playful, the new Sporting Chance Center - 2100 W. Curtis Rd. - joins the lineup of BEYOND events with basketball, volleyball and futsal games in their 40,000 square foot court facility. The center, which hosts youth sports teams throughout the year, is situated right near the River Walk at La Cholla Boulevard, and guided walks will leave the facility for those who want some fresh air. 18 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
For the imaginative, Valley of the Moon - 2544 E. Allen Rd. - returns with a storytelling day in Tucson's historic fairyland. At the Christina TaylorGreen Memorial Park, at the corner of Shannon and Magee Roads, the Stroll and Roll will bring together all ages with sidewalk chalk to decorate the route and dogs to meet from Gabriel's Angels, a pet therapy organization for at-risk kids. For the south side community, BEYOND In Your Neighborhood is a new walk to link up the Sunnyside neighborhood, starting at Habitat for Humanity's Santa Maria site, 944 W. Santa Maria St. Neighbors will meet and greet, create recycled art and enjoy a group lunch. And for the social, the Main Event in Armory Park, 221 S. 6th Ave., draws thousands of visitors to dance, ride bikes, rock climb and visit health and wellness stations sponsored by Tucson Medical Center. The Living Streets Alliance Kidical Mass will escort families on a safe and fun biking route through the Old Barrio. Meet Me At Armory Park will be a four-mile walk/run to show off parts of Downtown, 4th Avenue and the Rattlesnake Bridge. The Children's Museum, 200 S. 6th Ave., is free during BEYOND, and last year drew in a record number of 4,000 visitors. BEYOND has become an amazing explosion of options to enjoy the Tucson community that lasts longer than a single day. “One goal of Beyond is to get people out with their families and doing something healthy,” says BEYOND Project Manager Michelle Crow, “but another goal is to connect people to the ongoing resources in their communities.” It's a bond that opens up the community every year to commemorate, celebrate, and reaffirm our commitment to each other. BEYOND is January 11, 2014 and all the details on its events are at Beyond-Tucson.org.
January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 19
photo courtesy: Conrad Wilde Gallery
arts Z Conrad Wilde Gallery offers art supplies and other art materials at its new space in the Steinfeld Warehouse.
photo courtesy: Conrad Wilde Gallery
Conrad Wilde Gallery’s exhibit space.
Conrad Wilde Gallery’s Spiffy New Historic Home by Herb Stratford For several years one of Tucson’s most stylish and accessible gallery spaces—the Conrad Wilde Gallery— has quietly established itself as a destination for art connoisseurs. Since 2005, in intimate spaces on Fourth Avenue and then on Sixth Avenue, the gallery functioned as an outpost for emerging and regional artists of many genres, as well as a workshop for those looking to learn the art of encaustic painting. In early 2014, the gallery will be open for business at a new location in the landmark 105 year-old Steinfeld Warehouse at 101 W. Sixth Street. With three times the floor space of its previous iterations, the new space will enable Founding Director Miles Conrad to expand the gallery’s offerings and also still present encaustic workshops in a dedicated area. The high ceilings and original wood floors of the 1,300 square foot space are a gallery owner's dream, and a real treat for visitors as well. The long-shuttered building has recently come under new ownership by WAMO (Warehouse Area Management Organization), and following a structural upgrade, arts businesses and artists' studios will soon fill the iconic brick building. The Conrad Wilde Gallery will be a cornerstone of sorts for the warehouse. Built in 1907 by famed local architects Holmes and Holmes, for local businessman Albert Steinfeld, the building is one of several iconic Tucson buildings the pair designed in the early part of the 20th century. Other local buildings of note from their firm include: UA’s Herring Hall, the UofA science building, Arizona Hall, the triangular McArthur Building on Toole Avenue and numerous private residences. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a contributing structure in the Tucson Warehouse Historic District, and prior to its retrofit had long served as a Tucson art space with groups such as the Alamo Woodworkers collective, Kore Press, and individual art studios.
Currently on display in the new gallery space is an installation by Andrew Kjera entitled Under Construction, as well as a fundraising exhibition featuring works by gallery artists. This work can be seen Jan. 4 from 6-9 p.m. The gallery represents about two dozen local, regional and nationally known artists, working in painting, sculpture and works on paper. Exhibitions will rotate approximately monthly, with the space hosting around ten shows annually. The inclusion of the dedicated workshop space will allow the gallery to expand their class offerings and will also allow for outside groups to utilize the space for art projects, like workshops for the annual All Souls Procession, or other community art events. “We’ll be offering a more active class schedule,” said Conrad, in addition to supplies and materials for artists working in encaustic painting. Conrad is also an encaustic painter and paintmaker who has been teaching his craft for years locally, in addition to running the namesake gallery. Additional tenants, both arts businesses and art studios, are planned for the warehouse - a return of sorts to its former use prior to the structural improvements undertaken by WAMO. WAMO, a non-profit entity that is working to maintain artistic presence in the burgeoning warehouse district and trying to avoid gentrification, has long been a grass roots organization supporting and protecting the resources of the area through advocacy and fundraising activities. More information on the group can be found at their website: WAMOTucson.org. n Conrad Wilde Gallery’s new location is in the historic Steinfeld Warehouse, located at 101 W. Sixth Street at the railroad tracks. The gallery’s website is ConradWildeGallery.com, and the phone number is (520) 622-8997. January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 21
photo: David Olsen
arts Z
The Ark & The Links by Jamie Manser Stepping into the Mat Bevel Institute is entering an orbit where whimsy and physics converge and any trace of what society says should or shouldn't be doesn’t enter, or stay for long. There's a magical energy that defies conformity, comprised of characters built from lost-then-found objects - spinning and dancing and gyrating, showing mirth, or silly hilarity or exuberant joy. There's a story behind them all, and a majority of the stories are deeply and philosophically profound. The numerous personalities comprising this large body of work residing at the Institute have shipping orders, however, that were given on February 11, 2013. They must move out of their home on Stone Avenue by March 1, 2014. Their creator has them aligned in an ark, “ready to float out. It's an ark, that's what arks do, they float,” he states. For the last 17 years Ned Schaper, the man behind the kinetic art, has been creating (poetry, performances, sculptures) and living in the 5,000 square foot warehouse at 530 N. Stone Ave. Before moving into the Arizona Department of Transportation owned building in 1996, which was the cutting-edge Downtown Performance Center from 1991-1995, Schaper was previously creating in a warehouse that was torn down to accommodate the courthouse complex currently under construction at Stone and Toole Avenues. Old school Tucsonans might remember that building as the Outback at one point, then as Coconuts. “I was across the street from Steve Eye's, and I was in there and had to get out of there, real quick–they gave me 15 days–so I went to where Skrappy's is now. I had to go to that other warehouse so I built the stuff into the shape of an ark in the early nineties. I came up with this whole thing– the beveled ark, Ark D'Bevel, and ever since then I've always noticed that my places are sort of ark-like, these buildings.” We look up at the ceiling and the gorgeous, valuable wood is indeed shaped like the bottom of an ark. Over the years, Ned’s space has served as various venues. “We had a snack bar. We did Zeitgeist Jazz–we had all these great jazz people, I had my shows, we had freak shows, the All Souls Procession used to end here. Oh my God, it would be insane, oh man, this place would be filled, not to mention the big head puppets, masses of people all around the building, masses of people outside, and, it was amazing back then. Then it was a total creators' community. It was cheap down here and nobody wanted to be here,” Schaper recalls. Photo: Ned Schaper stands by Ark D’Bevel.
It's true, Downtown was a dive in the 90s. It was cheap and gritty and the creative community thrived. “Now you find yourself in this community in 2013 and now it's: 'How much can you pay for rent?' And Steve Eye's over there (at Solar Culture), and he says, 'You should stay here, we want you here, you should be in the neighborhood.' And they (property owners) ask how much I can pay for rent, and it's: ‘Nothing’.” Schaper says it with a shrug. “I'm completely broke, I make things for nothing. All I've had to do is pay the rent. I've never had money; I've never been a money raiser. When you are in a money thing, it's not about creation, it's about rent. Everybody wants money. I have a whole ark of kinetic art, but no money, so I can't be here. I need to be in a place where I'm not competing with bars and lawyers. I have to have money to be here, but not art. “It's not just here, it's everywhere. It’s part of our society.” Schaper states all of these points as simple facts, there's no anger in his voice, no malice in his sky-blue eyes. Maybe it is the pragmatic midwesterner in him, he grew up in Ohio and graduated from University of Wisconsin Madison, or maybe it's the 'live and let live' peace that comes with not over-thinking things and trusting in que sera sera. Schaper is “very seriously considering South Tucson, almost for sure. I've been to City Hall twice to talk to them, and I've never had such enthusiasm, I mean, they have no money and no buildings but, it just seems like I need to go where there's very fertile soil where I can grow into it. The more I go down to South Tucson... you can say in one way, they're not as infected by the modern sort of young professional thing, but, the idea there is they are in an economic situation that is much more like mine.” There’s a down-to-earth element to Schaper’s other-worldliness. He is refreshingly not stomping his feet, he likens the situation to insect behavior. Which makes sense as his bachelor’s degree from UW Madison is in entomology. He explains how swarm behavior works, when hives break, how they come back together and compares it to other human cultures. “What I've read about real community consensus is that they won't make a decision until everyone agrees with it. But if you've got people in there who are ideologues and who won't give up, you'll never get a consensus and what you finally have to do is say, ‘Well, it looks like this is the way it's going. Okay.’”
continued on page 25
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24 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
photo: David Olsen
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continued from page 23 Schaper has known for almost a year that he would need to move, and is in no way disputing that. For him, the main issue now is finding a temporary–or permanent–dock to anchor The Ark before his Tucson Museum of Art show, “Welcome to Beveldom - Mat Bevel's Museum Of Kinetic Art,” on exhibit Aug. 9-Oct. 5. “I have a one-man show at the Tucson Museum of Art, so, that's a big part of this,” he says, nodding at his sculptures. “A lot of this is going in the show, not all of it. “My main priority now is to find a place to set The Ark up between March 1 and the TMA show in August.” Ned is hoping for a visible space with large windows that someone would let him set up his fantastical creations in as a pre-show attraction. Schaper, like many other artists who took advantage of cheap rents in the Arizona Department of Transportation-owned warehouses in the 80s and 90s, are betwixt a mix of decades of Downtown revitalization efforts and the Downtown Links’ transportation plans that are slowly, and steadily, coming to fruition to unite Barraza-Aviation Parkway to I-10. There are no angels or demons here, but there are lively groups of constituents who have been active over the years to bring to the table the current, mostly solidified plan. “We are almost at 90% design completion and have held regular CAC (citizens’ advisory committee) meetings and subcommittee meetings for the last few years and another two years to go before construction begins,” explains Tom Fisher, Downtown Links Planning Project Manager via email. “The project is fully funded and we are moving forward with the remaining property acquisitions following Federal guidelines. The issues (concerning historic preservation efforts, demolitions, underpass and overpass designs, bike and pedestrian connectivity) should be fully resolved in the next several months through ongoing design work with our CAC review.” What most people probably do not realize is the intense amount of governmental planning and environmental considerations being addressed in this $85.67 million transportation project. After acquiring properties through years of consulting with constituents, city departments, Mayor and Council and the Regional Transportation Authority (who is paying $76.1 million of the tab), the next steps include extensive environmental evaluations. Let’s not forget, this land along Sixth Street abuts an over-century-
old stretch of railroad activity. Fisher further explains that “once the properties are vacated, we will do an environmental assessment of each and remove any hazardous materials (i.e. asbestos, fuel tanks, soil contamination) and prepare a scope of work for demolition. Then we go out to bid for the demo work and site clean-up. All this can take months to complete. One of our goals is to preserve the Steinfeld and Citizen warehouses, and will continue to do so to make them successful during redevelopment efforts.” The scope of the project is ultimately about moving people to and fro - in cars, on bikes, on feet. Fisher elucidates that the current design offers “a four-lane surface arterial roadway with street intersections, bike lanes, sidewalks, a shared-use path, deck park, native desert landscaping, lighting, and many other features more compatible with the urban environment. It is important to note that this was a directive from Mayor and Council to make the roadway more compatible with the existing urban environment and not simply a cross-town freeway bypass.” There’s always an ebb and flow to urban areas. So many cities have seen districts evolve from vibrant to crummy, to artists, to hipster to developer. It’s the way of things. Having that understanding and acceptance is vital. “I've learned a lot and that's what's sort of nice about feeling like a homeless person in a garage, it's humbled me,” Schaper says. “And there's nothing like humility to teach you how to create. Because, your job is not to save the world, your job is to do what you are supposed to do to – and if everybody sort of does that… react to the best of your ability of what comes at you, the world will work out. “In other words, if you don't have what you need, why would you be doing it?” n The Mat Bevel Institute’s website is MatBevel.com, where information on Schaper’s upcoming move and ways to donate to the process will be available. Contact him at bevel@matbevel.com or (520) 304-8899. His neighbor to the south, architect/builder Paul Schwam of Solar Lava, SolarLava.com, will be a part of the Downtown Links relocation process. The Downtown Links project is working on updating its website as well, and should be live sometime mid-to late-January, at DowntownLinks.info. January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 25
Image courtesy of Jewish Community Center
Z film
“Brave Miss World” closes the Tucson Jewish International Film Festival on Jan. 25.
Exploring The Art of Storytelling Storytelling is one of our oldest and most revered art forms, and cinema at its best and in the right hands can be used to bring great stories to life. Film festivals are usually a great place to find compelling stories, as someone has curated them with an eye towards presenting the best. The 23rd annual Tucson Jewish International Film Festival brings together an amazing group of stories by master storytellers for Tucson audiences Jan. 12-25. The festival screens at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) Ballroom with a special early kick-off screening at the Desert View Performing Arts Center, 38759 S. Mountain View Blvd. in Saddlebrooke, on Jan. 12. An opening night screening takes place at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., on Jan. 18, leading into a diverse and robust schedule of narrative and documentary films at the JCC. In addition to film screenings, the festival offers panel discussions and Q & A sessions after some films with filmmakers. Lynne Davis, Director of Arts and Culture for the JCC, expressed praise for the films chosen by the screening committee this year. “There’s such important and powerful films this year,” along with the films that also educate and enrich with their content. Davis said most attendees to the festival see between three to six films, and this year they may feel like seeing a few more based on the lineup. A few not to be missed films include: the documentary Wagner and Me, an intriguing look at the music of German composer Richard Wagner by actor and writer Stephen Fry. As a Jew, Fry carries guilt for loving the music of Wagner, whose music was co-opted by the Nazi’s and forever besmirched, but the brilliance of Wagner's "The Ring of the Nibelung" operas is hard to shake. Wagner was not a Nazi, but his racist attitudes appealed to the Nazi Party, as did his grand operatic works. The film shows once at the JCC on Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. The touching and poignant drama Any Day Now stars Alan Cumming 26 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
by Herb Stratford
and Garret Dillahunt as a gay couple in the 1970s attempting to adopt a disabled boy whose family as all but abandoned him. With a career-best performance from Cumming, the bittersweet tale is a real tearjerker with a powerful message of love despite all obstacles. Check it out Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at the JCC. Another fascinating documentary is American Jerusalem: Jews and the Making of San Francisco. The film details the unique role that Jews had in the founding of San Francisco during the gold rush of the 1850s. Largely cast out of Europe, the immigrant merchant class found a city of open arms and great opportunity. The legacy of that timely migration was the creation of a new type of American citizen, one both true to their Jewish heritage and also op en to the new world. The film screens Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at the JCC. Wrapping up the festival on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. is the staggering documentary Brave Miss World. Directed by the daughter of Hollywood great Gregory Peck, Cecilia Peck traces the story of Linor Abargil, a beauty pageant contestant who was raped just months prior to being crowned Miss World by a pageant juror. Abargil’s quest to fight back and raise awareness worldwide of rape and its victims, is awe inspiring. Her passion and dedication to give voice to other victims, and tireless advocacy is remarkable. The film has been the darling of the film festival circuit, and Davis calls it “the most important film I’ve seen all year.” A special free screening of the film is also being planned post-festival at the Hillel campus for students that will feature a SKYPE Q & A with Linor Abargil on Jan. 28. n The 23rd annual Tucson International Jewish Film Festival is Jan. 12-25 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Rd. and a few other select locations. Tickets are $8-$10 per film with discount, group and festival passes available via the film festival page of the JCC’s website at TucsonJewishFilmFestival.org.
A still from "Young Ones" - part of the Sundance Film Festival in Tucson on Jan. 30.
Sundance Film Fest Invades Tucson by Herb Stratford
This month, the 30th annual Sundance Film Festival is presenting new and exciting films on screens all over Park City, Utah. But you don’t have to brave the masses standing in long lines, sometimes in foot-deep snowdrifts to get in on this annual indie film pilgrimage. Thanks to The Loft Cinema you can catch one of the top films from this year’s fest right here in Tucson. The Loft Cinema is one of just a select group of small theatres around the country to host Sundance Film Festival USA, which takes place on Thursday, Jan. 30. The program brings both films and filmmakers to select art house cinemas around the country for one-night-stands fresh from the festival. “Sundance Film Festival USA celebrates the theaters and audiences that are an integral part of supporting and encouraging the work of independent filmmakers. By extending the Festival to these nine cities, we will create a larger shared experience and dialogue around the issues of our time, as explored in these films,” said Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford. This is the third time this program has occurred at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd., thanks to the theatre’s membership in Sundance’s Art House Initiative, that seeks to support and strengthen the country’s independent movie houses through programming and other support. Membership is highly sought after, and The Loft was one of the initial theatres selected when the program was started due to their long history of presenting quality independent films and filmmakers to Tucson audiences. This year Tucsonans will be able to see Young Ones from director Jake Paltrow. The film stars Michael Shannon, Kodi Smit McPhee and Elle Fanning, and is set in the future where water is scarce and simple decisions can lead to life altering consequences. Last year, the critical darling and award winning film The Spectacular Now, starring Shailene Woodley 28 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
and Miles Teller, unspooled on The Loft’s big screen and the year before that the film Goats played at The Loft. That film, largely filmed in Tucson, starred David Duchovny and Vera Farmiga and was a love letter to Tucson chock full of beautiful cinematography. Fresh off the success of The Loft’s own film festival—it’s third iteration played Nov. 7-12—the Sundance Film Festival USA program is yet another way for Loft supporters and independent film fans in Southern Arizona to see the newest work by emerging and established filmmakers fresh from the larger festival circuit. Many films at festivals don’t receive distribution for months—if ever, so seeing them in the festival is almost like a sneak peek. While not as immersive as actually attending the Sundance Film Festival, it’s a blast to see one of the fest’s films each year at The Loft. Starting with the actual pre-screening festival trailer from Park City and concluding with a Q & A with the director of the film, this is an experience unlike any you will ever have at the multiplex. Thanks to Sundance, the director of Young Ones, Jake Paltrow, will be in attendance for the post screening Q & A on Jan. 30. A curious Tucson connection of note is that Jake is a brother to actress Gwyneth Paltrow, and he is also cousin to Tucson’s own Gabby Giffords. So do your part and support quality independent cinema by being a part of the Sundance Film Festival at Tucson’s own home for great film, The Loft Cinema. Tickets for the single screening of the film Young Ones are $15 per person, which includes the post film Q & A with director Jake Paltrow. The screening takes place on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. Last year’s screening of The Spectacular Now sold out, so it might be worth your peace of mind to get a ticket in advance at The Loft’s box office at the theatre, located at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Call (520) 795-0844 for more information.
image courtesy Sundance Film Fest
Z film
January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 29
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photo courtesy: Global Change Multi-Media
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The Sea of Glass Center for the Arts by Jim Lipson
Rahman Jamaal performs at The Sea of Glass grand opening Jan. 17.
The small complex with the cute little dome at 330 E. 7th St. has taken on many personas over the past 30 years; almost all of them somehow focused on community building, self-actualization and a connection to the arts. In the early- to mid-1980s this was the original Ortspace, home to the innovative (though now defunct) OTO Dance troupe. When OTO Dance moved down the street it became the Zenith Center, a funky but accessible space that held everything from concerts to yoga classes to massage school graduations. Years later, under the ownership and direction of Jason Auerbach and Janice Herradora, the 6,700 square feet of enormous potential became known as Anjali. With extensive renovations to not only the big room used for yoga classes, workshops, dances and concerts (Krishna Das once packed almost 400 people inside for an evening of ecstatic chanting), but also the interior, formerly used as living space, Anjali was beautifully refreshed, anything but funky, and stood in stark contrast to its more "lived in" surroundings on Fourth Avenue. Part of the Anjali vision was to renovate the east end of the complex so that it could house a raw foods/vegetarian restaurant. This in conjunction with a small retail space, on-going yoga classes and a concert and dance venue available for rent to the community, all seemed like great ideas housed within an exquisite and newly designed space. Unfortunately the restaurant never opened, yoga classes came and went and the concert/ workshop facility was vastly under-utilized. Eventually Anjali closed and for several years remained dark. Now, with the opening of The Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, the Food for Ascension Café, CosmoArt Studio and Sacred Treasures, a retail space for “fine arts, jewelry and clothing,” the space once again holds the promise for becoming a hub of activity looking to bridge spirituality and new age sensibilities with 21st century alternative consumerism. The restaurant bills itself as “all local, all organic, all love” and comes with a
delightful, outdoor rooftop patio while the Sea of Glass comes complete with a large stage, built in sound system and lights and acoustic sound baffles built into the roof. It looks like a great place to play as well as hear a performance. With the Sea of Glass subtitled “A Center for Global Change Through Higher Consciousness,” and words like ascension and sacred as a part of its branding, the complex also comes with a certain vibe - what some might consider baggage - as well. Bought for a price well into seven figures, the complex is owned and operated by the Avalon Organic Gardens and Eco Village. Located in Tubac, Arizona, Avalon is an intentional community running a large organic farming operation and very much committed to the principles of permaculture and sustainable technologies. Avalon is also a part of the Global Community Communications Alliance, a church and religious organization founded in 1989 in Prescott, Arizona by Anthony J. Delevin, publicly known as Gabriel of Urantia. All the Sea of Glass businesses are celebrating a grand opening on Friday, Jan. 17, starting at 7:30 p.m., with performances by VansGuard, an 8-piece activist folk rock band with ties to Avalon, along with hip hop artist Rahman Jamaal from San Francisco and with Tucson DJs Kirkout and Humblelianess spinning. Saturday, Jan. 18 features a freestyle rap workshop at 2 p.m. with Rahman Jamaal followed by a screening of indie film "The Beat" at 4:30 p.m. n For more information on these and other upcoming events, along with ticket prices, visit TheSeaofGlass.org or call (520) 398-2542. Event proceeds benefit the organization's Personality Integration Rehabilitation Program, Avalon Gardens Internships and scholarships for instructional classes in music, dance and other arts at The Sea of Glass. January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 33
Z arts photo courtesy of Arizona Onstage Productions.
“Forever Plaid” by Arizona Onstage Productions is Fri, Jan 3-Sun, Jan 19.
Performances ARIZONA FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC Jonah Kim and Sean Kennard perform Sun, Jan 12. Takács Quartet performs Wed, Jan 15. TCC’s Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave. 577-3769, ArizonaChamberMusic.org
ARIZONA ONSTAGE PRODUCTIONS Forever Plaid shows Fri, Jan 3-Sun, Jan 19. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is Thu, Jan 9-Sun, Jan 19. Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theatre, 330 S. Scott Ave. 270-3332, ArizonaOnStage.org ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY
Other Desert Cities opens Sat, Jan 18. Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. 622-2823, ArizonaTheatre.org
BERGER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Leo Kottke performs Fri, Jan 31 at 8pm and 10pm. 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. 770-3762, ASDB.State. AZ.US/Berger/
BLACK CHERRY BURLESQUE Tantalizing burlesque performance on Fri, Jan 3. Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. 4th Ave. 882-0009, TucsonBurlesque.com
BROADWAY IN TUCSON The Australian Bee Gees Show is Tue, Jan 28. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. 903-2929, BroadwayInTucson.com
CARNIVAL OF ILLUSION Performances on Fri, Jan 24 and Sat, Jan 25. Tucson Double Tree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way. 615-5299, CarnivalOfIllusion.com
CHAMBER MUSIC PLUS
Viva España, a homage to Pablo Casals and Andrés Segovia, takes place Sat, Jan 4 at 7:30pm and Jan 15 at 1pm & 5pm. Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theatre, 330 S. Scott Ave. 400-5439, ChamberMusicPlus.org
FOX THEATRE
Second City performs Fri, Jan 17. Pink Martini, Sun, Jan 19. Outlaw Country performs Thu, Jan 23. Collin Quinn hit the stage on Fri, Jan 24. Cool Hand Luke performs Sat, Jan 25. Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys on Wed, Jan 29. Tucson Chamber Artists 10th Anniversary Signature Event takes place Fri, Jan 31. Prices Vary. 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org
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photo: Mchael Cavalca
UApresents Compagnie Käfig at Centennial Hall on January 18.
THE GASLIGHT THEATRE
The Belle Tombstone opens Thu, Jan 9. 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. 886-9428, TheGaslightTheatre.com
INVISIBLE THEATRE
Good Rockin’ shows Sat, Jan 11-Sun, Jan 12. 1400 N. 1st Ave. 882-9721, InvisibleTheatre.com
LIVE THEATRE WORKSHOP Boeing Boeing opens Thu, Jan 9. All Together Theatre: Peter and The Wolf opens Sun, Jan 5. Etcetera: Original works by Short Attention Span Theatre takes place Sat, Jan 11 and Sat, Jan 18. Imaginary opens Fri, Jan 17. See website for prices and times. 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. 327-4242, LiveTheatreWorkshop.org
ODYSSEY STORYTELLING SERIES
Greener Grass? New Places, Faces and Spaces shows Fri, Jan 10. 7pm, $7. Fluxx Studios and Gallery, 416 E. 9th St. 730-4112, OdysseyStoryTelling.com
THE ROGUE THEATRE Arcadia shows Thu, Jan 9-Sun, Jan 26. 738 N. 5th Ave. 551-2053, TheRogueTheatre.org
SEA OF GLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS Live hip hop with Rahman Jamaal, featuring DJs Kirckout & Humbleianess and activist band Vansguard on Fri, Jan 17. Dinner and music. $14-$19. 330 E. 7th St. 398-2542, TheSeaofGlass.org.
TUCSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Princess and the Frog takes place Sat, Jan 4. Schubert “The Great!” takes place Sat, Jan 11-Sun, Jan 12. Itzhak Perlman takes place Tue, Jan 14. Moeckel plays The Red Violin on Fri, Jan 17 and Sun, Jan 19. Michael Cavanaugh: Movin’ Out performances are Sat, Jan 25-Sun, Jan 26. See website for times and prices. TCC’s Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. 882-8585, TucsonSymphony.org
UA PRESENTS
Zoppé Family Circus performs at Reid Park (22nd Street and Country Club Road) on Fri, Jan 10-Sun, Jan 12. Compagnie Kafig is on stage Fri, Jan 17-Sat, Jan 18. Jungle Jack Hanna brings nearly 30 animals with him, many of them rescued from the wild, Hanna shares stories and shows unforgettable footage from his TV appearances on Jan. 26, 4pm. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. 621-3341, UAPresents.org
WINDING ROAD THEATRE ENSEMBLE Boom opens Jan 23 and runs through Feb 9. Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theatre, 330 S. Scott Ave. 749-3800, WindingRoadTheater.org
January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 35
“French Lessons” by Valerie Galloway shows as part of her exhibit at Wee Gallery through Thu, Jan 30.
art Galleries/exhibits CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY Charles Harbutt, Departures and Arrivals continues through Sun, Jan 26. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat & Sun, 1pm-4pm. 1030 N. Olive Rd. 621-7968, CreativePhotography.org
CONRAD WILDE GALLERY Construction/Remodel Fundraiser Auction takes place Sat, Jan 4 from 6pm-9pm. Tue-Sat, 11am-5pm. 101 W. 6th St. 6228997, ConradWildeGallery.com
CONTRERAS GALLERY
Love, Quietly Waiting by Carmen Sonnes and Hasta El Fin by Melo Dominguez continues through Sat, Jan 25. Tues-Fri, 11am5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 110 E. 6th St. 398-6557, ContrerasHouseFineArt.com
DAVIS DOMINGUEZ GALLERY
Paintings by Tim Murphy and Debra Salopek open Tue, Jan 2. Tue-Fri, 11am-5pm; Sat, 11am-4pm. 154 E. 6th St. 629-9759, DavisDominguez.com
DEGRAZIA GALLERY IN THE SUN
Vibrant colors of children and everyday life by Francisco Romero continues through Jan 10. 2D and 3D objects by Kathy Kibby, Fran Siverston, Darcy Siverston and Gail Brynildsen shows Jan 12-Jan 24. Modern landscapes and nature by Seth Critchley opens Sun, Jan 26. Holiday Fantasies continues through February. Daily, 10am-4pm. 6300 N. Swan Rd. 299-9191, DeGrazia.org
THE DRAWING STUDIO A Breath of Plein Air shows Jan 10-Jan 24, with a gala on Jan 24 from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Tue-Sun, noon-4pm. 33 S. 6th Ave. 6200947, TheDrawingStudio.org ETHERTON GALLERY Spill featuring artists Bailey Doogan, Ann SimonsMyers and Luis Jimenez, continues through February. Tue-Sat, 11am-5pm. 135 S. 6th Ave. 624-7370, EthertonGallery.com
JOSEPH GROSS GALLERY Culture Cache continues through February. Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm. 1031 N. Olive Rd. 626-4215, CFA.arizona.edu/galleries
LOUIS CARLOS BERNAL GALLERY Magical Realism, featuring artwork by Gail Marcus-Orlen, Robert Cocke, Penny McElroy and Janet Prip, opens Mon, Jan 27. Construct: Putting It Together continues through Jan 29. Mon-Thu, 10am-5pm; Fri, 10am-3pm. 2202 W. Anklam Rd. 206-6942, Pima.Edu/cfa
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photo courtesy of GalleryWee.com
Z arts
photo courtesy of EthertonGallery.com
“Milk V” by Bailey Doogan and Ann Simmons-Myers shows as part of the exhibit “Spill” at Etherton Gallery, contining through February.
OBSIDIAN GALLERY
Ceramic Sculpture by Wesley Anderegg, Claire Loder and Cheryl Tall, continues through Jan 5. Wed-Sat, 11am-6pm. Obsidian Gallery, 410 N. Toole Ave. 577-3598, Obsidian-Gallery.com
PHILABAUM GLASS GALLERY & STUDIO Holiday Showcase continues through Jan 25. Tue-Sat,10am-5pm. 711 S. 6th Ave. 884-7404, PhilabaumGlass.com
PORTER HALL GALLERY Art by Karen Bellamy continues through Wed, Jan 15. Treasures of the Amerind opens Jan 18 with a reception Fri, Jan 17 from 5pm-7pm. Daily, 8:30am-4:30pm. $13, adults; $12, student/senior/military, $7.50, children 4-12; Free, children 3 and younger. 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 3269686, TucsonBotanical.org
SACRED MACHINE
See website for information. Wed-Fri, 5pm-8pm; Sat, 4pm-9pm. 245 E. Congress St. 777-7403, SacredMachine.com
SOUTHERN ARIZONA WATERCOLOR GUILD
Creme de la Creme—Signature Member’s Show opens Tue, Jan 7. Opening reception Thu, Jan 16, 5pm-7pm. Tue-Sun, 11am-4pm. SAWG Gallery, 5605 E. River Rd. 2997294, SouthernAzWatercolorGuild.com
TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART Common Elegance: The Still Life of Paintings of William Shepherd and Rock/Paper/Scissors continues through Jan 12. Tue,Wed, Fri, Sat, 10am-5pm; Thu, 10am-8pm; Sun, 12pm-5pm. $10, adults; $8, seniors; $5, students 13+; free, children under 12. Free to all the first Sunday of the month. 140 N. Main Ave. 624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org
WEE GALLERY
Valerie Galloway Show exhibits Jan 4-Jan 30. Thu-Sat, 11am-6pm. 439 N. 6th Ave Suite #171. 360-6024, GalleryWee.com
WILDE MEYER GALLERY Southwest Fiestas and Lo Mejor de Wilde Meyer continue through Jan 31. The Journey—30 Years opens Thu, Jan 9. Mon-Fri, 10am-5:30pm. Wilde Meyer Gallery, 3001 E. Skyline Dr. WildeMeyer.com
January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 37
photo courtesy YWCA Tucson
Z community
Tucson's YWCA Moves Community Upward by Jamie Manser
The lobby of YWCA of Tucson (YW) was festive in midDecember, with a large Christmas tree and upbeat volunteers. One offers coffee before ringing Tana Kelch to let her know: “A Jamie is here to see you.” Kelch, the Sales & Marketing Manager and previous proprietor of Bohemia: An Artisans Emporium, comes out smiling. There’s a spring to her step as she approaches, saying there are so many things to share about the YW as the 96-year-old non-profit organization (established locally in 1917) does a lot. A LOT. And many plans are in the works. The lobby is going to be the most immediate beneficiary of upcoming evolutions. Currently, a nook café is situated by the front door and offers a minimalist menu of select treats and beverages, with its coffee supplied by Bisbee Coffee Roasters. While presently only a few tables and chairs are in place, "we will have seating for 20 once everything is to spec," emails Liane Hernandez, Community Life Director/ Executive Chef. "We want to create an environment where people can meet and hang out," Kelch explains. In the lobby space across from the café, a boutique - The Galleria Art and Gifts - will be born in early February. "We will be offering a wonderful mix of YW merchandise and small works and crafts by local artists that embrace our mission," Kelch says. The YW's vision, as posted on the website, is to create “a community of change makers who are working to build a world without racism, where women are empowered and where everyone enjoys peace, justice, freedom and dignity.” The ideals are mighty and the missions lofty, but the YW seems to be pulling it off through its many programs - by way of an 11-women staff and a team of dedicated volunteers. In addition to the café and future boutique, the YW is working on building out its kitchen in order to offer a catering program. “It’s the brainchild of Kelly (Fryer, the Executive Director),” Kelch shares. “The purpose is to become more sustainable by creating income to fund our programs.” Hernandez further explains that the organization will offer catering through its "YWorks Catering program, which is under development now and we plan on hiring our first cohort of young women in August 2014." It is pretty incredible how many programs the YW funds and several 38 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
A woman peruses clothing option in Your Sister’s Closet.
spaces in the 17,000 square foot building, located on Bonita Avenue in Downtown's west-side Menlo Park, offer numerous stories of how the organization helps prepare women to enter, or re-enter, the work force. As we move north of the lobby to explore Your Sister’s Closet, Kelch points out The Galleria - which features exhibits that rotate quarterly and highlights artists who connect to the YW’s missions. "The YW is incredibly lucky to be able to work with Erma Duran and Amy Zuckerman to curate our Galleria," Hernandez says via email. "Erma is responsible to selecting the artists and pieces for each show." On display through Jan. 15 is Amy Zuckerman’s gorgeous and heart-wrenching black and white photography. Opening on Feb. 6 is a joint exhibit of Western photography by Mia Larocque and Louise L. Serpa; the boutique's grand opening will be held the same day. Kelch checks in with the volunteers at Your Sister’s Closet, making sure it is a good time for a tour. The objective of Your Sister’s Closet is to provide women, who have completed the Skills for Successful Employment program, with a week's worth of career clothing. The monthly program is a four-day intensive that includes computer training and employment skills workshops, offered for $25 - with scholarships available. Dorothy Miller, a YW volunteer for over five years, welcomes us with a sweet, warm countenance. There are three rooms, and the first feels like a
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January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 39
continued from 38 wealthy woman’s walk-in closet - with its classy wood shelves, a full-length mirror and gorgeous lighting. “I try to treat them like princesses,” Miller says with genuine affection. “I’m their fashion coordinator; outfits complete with shoes and, of course, purses!” Miller and Kelch list a few of the clothing donors: J. Jill, Burlington Coat Factory, Twice As Nice. Arlene Oliver, another YW volunteer for over five years, chimes in: “Brighton donates a bunch, and Dillard’s.” In the middle room, there are over ten racks of perfectly professional, stylish attire. In the back, we find the work room where, as Miller explains, “we sort though the donations. If we can’t use the donations, we give the clothing to Twice As Nice or Big Brothers/Big Sisters.” “It is fun, we love doing it,” enthuses Oliver. “Each woman goes out with three to four outfits and we try to mix and match. We send out some very happy people.” To date, YW has styled 26,000 women with business wear. Skills for Successful Employment offers a deeper meaning beyond work clothes and pertinent jobs skills - such as resume building, developing job search strategies and becoming proficient with computer programs - it's about improving women's lives and giving them the tools, and thereby the selfesteem, to succeed. Oliver shares a poignant memory. "One gal was here trying on clothes, looked in the mirror, and tears streamed down her face. She said, 'I've never seen that person.' When they go looking for a job, they look good and feel good and get the confidence to get a job." Kelch and I meander to the Wolslager Foundation Learning Center, where a portion of the job skills training takes place. There we find volunteer Richard Griffith busily setting up computers. "We recently received 30 new computers, donated by (Pima County's) One-Stop (Career Centers)," Kelch says. "Is this the graveyard over here," she asks Griffith, referring to a collection of computer towers along the wall. "Yes, those are beyond the hill," Griffith replies. In the room, which can be rented out for classes and is utilized by a volunteer group that offers GED tutoring on Saturdays, are about 15 workstations. The space also hosts the Mi Carrera Desarrollo Profesional. Griffith, a 60-year-old single father to a 6-year-old son explains that the name translates to my professional career development. "The thing about the Y, it is in a primarily Hispanic neighborhood. This place was a bit more formal and not as friendly to the neighborhood, but that is changing," Griffith says. "This is where it's at!" While the large, beautiful and fairly new building - which the organization moved into in 2007 - may not be very well-known to the general public, dedicated efforts have been underway to change that. In addition to the aforementioned offerings, the non-profit also hosts a YW Speaks speaker series in order to facilitate community conversations that encourage a more civil society. There's also the Women's Wellness Network and The Happy Organization for children, both of which aim to create healthy lives - mentally, emotionally and physically. There's a palpable energy, and it pragmatically exudes a confidence in purpose and a peace that aligns with serving a greater aspiration, which really resides with basic respect. As YW volunteer Richard Griffith openly shares: "This is the first place in my life I've done work that I really love. I went through drug treatment and I've gone full circle. I respect this place. Respect comes from knowing it is doing a good thing, and it's for the people." n YWCA Tucson, located at 525 N. Bonita Ave. and YWCATucson.org, would appreciate clothing donations on Mondays, fiscal donations and volunteers always, and a wish list of supplies is detailed on the website. Visit YW's online events calendar to see what's coming up next. Call (520) 884-7810 with other inquiries. 40 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
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community Z A Gabriel’s Angels doggie volunteer gets its teeth brushed. Interacting with the dogs helps children learn the values of empathy, love, trust, understanding, self-esteem, respect and tolerance.
A Child’s Best Friend by Jon D Auria At four years of age, Tatiana’s life had been one filled with violence, abuse and neglect. Needless to say, it wasn’t surprising that when she found herself transplanted to a crisis nursery she had absolutely no desire to interact or open up to any of the caring staff or other children that now surrounded her. She spent her days quietly reserved, scared, scorn and detached from the possibility that any good could exist in her life. That was, until a loving and nurturing Weimaraner named Gabriel approached her one day and nuzzled his way into her arms. “She took his leash and introduced him to every kid in there. She lit up and transformed in a way that she hadn’t before,” says Gabriel’s Angels CEO and founder Pam Gaber. “When I left she looked at Gabriel and asked when he was coming back and I told her that he’d be back in one dog week. So I came back as planned and she lit up and ran towards him screaming ‘Gabriel came back!’ The staff turned to me and said, ‘You don’t get it do you? The minute you left last week, she told us that Gabriel was never coming back.’ At four years of age she had already learned how to shield herself from disappointment. The staff there told me that that was the first healthy attachment Tatiana ever had.” What began with one faithful gray dog in 2000 has now turned into a substantial healing force for abused, neglected and at-risk children in Arizona. Now 175 pet-therapy dogs strong, Gabriel’s Angels serves over 13,000 children across Arizona including 30 agencies locally: Casa De Los Niños, Emerge Shelters, Gospel Rescue Mission, Springboard, Boys and Girls Clubs, amongst others. Utilizing these loving canines to re-teach children how to love and be loved, the trainers use activities such as brushing the dog’s teeth to instill seven core behaviors - empathy, love, trust, understanding, self-esteem, respect and tolerance. “Many of the children who come to our crisis nursery are experiencing incredibly toxic stress and drama-filled lives and often times the first being they will open up to and trust and show their love to are these animals,” says Casa De Los Niños CEO Susie Huhn. “We can see the transformation immediately for some of these kids who won’t open up with humans at the shelter because not only do the animals give the kids love, but also it enables the kids to show it back.” Each of the therapy dogs have gone through extensive training and
are certified through national organizations before they can become a part of a therapy team. Any dog and owner can apply to join the organization, which hopes to steadily increase their numbers to reach more children. The children visited at the shelters are typically broken up into groups of six to eight children, although Gabriel’s Angels also offers individual therapy sessions for special cases. “What you have to keep in mind is that we’re working in cycles of violence. Most of these children are at risk and come from really tough circumstances and most of them have suffered some form of violence,” says Gabriel’s Angels Director of Development MeMe Aguila. “If you don’t show a child different things than they have learned they won’t understand them and that cycle of violence perpetuates. Wrong habits are developed from core behaviors that they are exposed to at a young age because of their situation. Our goal is to provide a child with those core behaviors so they can go on to become a successful adult.” The organization all started by accident after Pam Gaber quit her highpowered corporate career and decided to do something for her community that would serve those in need. After volunteering at a shelter for children, Gaber asked if her puppy Gabriel could attend the children’s Christmas party and her breakthrough experience that day made her new life path obvious. And while Gabriel passed away in 2010, he alone was able to reach 10,000 children and his legacy lives on through the many dogs that are now following his lead. “This agency started by accident, but it continues with unbridled purpose,” says Gaber. “These dogs are teachers. To learn to bring a dog water is no big deal, but for these kids it is. For them to realize another being is in need and have the desire to provide for them is huge. The dogs and children learn to trust each other and that plants a seed that allows them to grow. There’s a special bond between children and animals and that opens the window to allow a therapist to get through to that child. It truly is magical.” n To learn more information about Gabriel’s Angels, and how to get involved, visit the organization's website at GabrielsAngels.org or call 1-866-785-9010.
January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 45
Z fashion
Gold Dust Woman The spirit of a life surrounded by music and bohemian chic fashion. Credits: Creative Direction: Sydney Ballesteros + Puspa Lohmeyer Fashion Styling: Sydney Ballesteros Photography: Puspa Lohmeyer Prop Styling: Sydney Ballesteros + Puspa Lohmeyer Model: Becca Hammen Makeup: Tangie Duffey Hair: Raul Mendoza Wardrobe: Razzle Dazzle Vintage, Black Cat Vintage, Desert Vintage, How Sweet it Was Vintage, Buffalo Exchange, OZMA Atelier, Sydney Ballesteros. Special thanks to Leonie Briether and Evan Hubbard.
Blue velvet top: Razzle Dazzle Black wide leg satin pants: Desert Vintage Boots + hat: Stylist own Jewelry: Razzle Dazzle, Stylist own Bakelite bangels: Stylist own
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Left: Black lace blouse: How Sweet it Was Vintage. Mustard yellow velvet cigarette pants: Stylist own. Scarf: How Sweet it Was Vintage. Red Fedora: Stylist own. Jewelry: Razzle Dazzle, Stylist own. Cranberry velvet mary jane shoes: Razzle Dazzle.
Above: Black mohair capelet: Black Cat Vintage. Boots: Stylist own. Jewelry: Razzle Dazzle.
Below: Gold lace blouse: Razzle Dazzle Vintage Turban: Stylist own Black fur vest: Stylist own Gold bangles: Razzle Dazzle Vintage Leather handbag: Razzle Dazzle Vintage Rings: Razzle Dazzle, Buffalo Exchange Necklace: Stylist own
Bottom Left: Leopard shawl: Razzle Dazzle.Purple satin mandarin dress: Razzle Dazzle. Green tooled leather belt: Stylist own. Jewelry + brass purse: Razzle Dazzle + Stylist.
Bottom Middle: Suede coat and beaded handbag: Razzle Dazzle. Head scarf: How Sweet it Was Vintage. Lace tights: Stylist own. Black suede boots: Buffalo Exchange. Jewelry: Razzle Dazzle + Stylist own.
Bottom right: Pink faux fur bolero: OZMA Atelier. Black + white lace dress: Razzle Dazzle. Shoes: Buffalo Exchange Jewelry + hat: Razzle Dazzle.
January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 47
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food&drink Z
Gio Taco Traverses Tasty Taco Terrain by James J. Jeffries It is no secret that Mexican food, above all other foods in the Tucson area, incites the most passionate discussions among gastronauts and hungry Tucsonans alike. When Bill Clinton made a much ballyhooed Presidential excursion to a Mexican restaurant in 1999, he didn’t do it in Phoenix, or Los Angeles – he did it in Tucson. We’re known for the best Mexican food in America, period. And among all the various dishes that people swear by, few are as much of a catalyst for heated arguments as the humble taco. Everyone that calls Tucson home has some kind of firm opinion on the matter as to what truly constitutes a legitimate taco. Plenty of folks swear on the standard street taco, a soft corn or flour tortilla with a smattering of grilled steak or chicken or pork, with a splash of salsa, cabbage, and diced onions with cilantro. Others in the Old Pueblo stand by the uniquely Sonoran variant which involves a half-moon of raw ground beef formed into a patty on the inside of a corn tortilla, which is then deep-fried and garnished with salsa, cheese, whatever you please. Other folks might think it centers on something served at a national chain (which shall not be named). They would, in the opinion of many Tucsonans, be wrong. Horribly, utterly, morally wrong. Into this ferocious taco tempest leaps Brian Metzger’s new venture, Gio Taco at 350 E. Congress St. Known for their well-regarded Tucson eateries The Abbey and Jax Kitchen, Gio Taco is occupying a brand-new location next to World of Beer and beneath The Cadence student housing development, providing that nightlife-packed corridor of East Congress Street with yet another intriguing dining option that takes a time-honored classic and improvises wildly. “We built this concept for Tucson,” explained Metzger. “We took a journey that led us down a path of discovery, and it led us to this.” Gio Taco seems bent on taking what is widely considered the most authentic form of the taco, that being a soft-shelled street taco, and running with it as an experimental canvas for some deliciously unexpected ingredients drawn from a wide range of culinary traditions. “If you really break it down…a taco is a thing that has stuff in it,” said Metzger. “When you look at it at that basic level, it allows you to fill it with creativity.” In coming up with their menu for Gio Taco, they came up with a simple rule to drive their creations: no more than four toppings per taco. “Piling on eighteen items just creates this mess that doesn’t allow you to
taste the individual ingredients,” said Metzger. Examples of this simple-but-complex flavor philosophy include the ‘house taco’, The Gio, which comes served on a homemade corn tortilla, filled with coffee-and-chipotle-rubbed pork belly, and topped with seared butternut squash and pumpkin seed salsa. There's also the Fishy Pig, which comes on the same corn tortilla, with bacon-wrapped albacore tuna, street vendor corn, fresh avocado and pickled onions. Wilder variants include M’s Veggie, which actually uses a raw shaved beet for a shell, and is topped with chayoti squash ‘steak’, heirloom baby kale slaw and street vendor corn, along with a Shrimp Curry taco that features skewered and fried shrimp served on a homemade corn tortilla, topped with fresh lime, apple and raisin salad and creamy red curry dressing. In a knowing nod to food truck mania, there’s also a Korean BBQ taco, which comes served on a bibb lettuce cup shell featuring beer-marinated short rib, topped with pineapple soda and mango carrot slaw. All told, more than a dozen different species of taco await your exploration at Gio Taco. The bold experimentation doesn’t stop at the entrees, either, with sides such as yucca fries with Sriracha ketchup and fresh fruit sticks with chili dust and lime juice. There will also be a roster of six cocktails, all served on tap, as well as a sit-down bar. One can see that there’s very much a rolling tip of the hat to a variety of current foodie phenomena, but this menu would seem to inject a much-needed shot of adventure into what can be a relatively predictable staple here in Tucson. You can try plenty of delicious fancier, high-end experimental foods here in Tucson (especially Downtown), and you can certainly find any number of late-night spots to get traditional tacos (just throw a rock, wherever you are), but to be able to get this kind of fare from a window at 2 a.m. on the weekend is certainly a brand new fast casual bag worth investigating. n Gio Taco is at 350 E. Congress St., beneath The Cadence and next to World of Beer. Open daily from 11 a.m.- 10:30 p.m., with take-away windows open from 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m., Monday-Friday and 10:30 p.m.- 2:30 a.m., Thursday-Saturday. Visit them online at GioTaco.com, dial (520) 219-1235 with inquiries. Article courtesy of Downtown Tucson Partnership.
January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 49
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photo: Miguel Ortega
locally owned Z
A Raging Sage Coffee Roasters patron enjoys a coffee.
Tucson Localism: The Best & Worst of 2013 by Miguel Ortega The holidays are over. Maybe your face still hurts from smiling so much and your gifts sucked. Or maybe everything went perfectly for you. Weirdo. But, hey, it's 2014, we survived, and we still live in this awesomeness we call Tucson. The only thing left to do now is to look back at the best and worst of 2013: Best Localist: Deanna Chevas, former Tucson Membership Coordinator, Local First Arizona. Who doesn't love Deanna? For almost two years she was the face of the localism movement here in Tucson. She is a passionate and articulate localism advocate and we will miss her. Worst Presidential Brain Freeze: Obama gives speech on his job creation program and the economy at an Amazon warehouse. Yes, he did exactly that. Who is advising this guy? That is like giving a speech on justice for chickens at KFC headquarters. Best Young Entrepreneur: Israel Zavala, owner of The Underestimated City. First, this guy opens up his Tucson-centric street wear shop downtown while he and his brother were on unemployment. Then, according to Zevala, streetcar construction and a lack of help from City Hall forced them to shut down. Somehow TCU pops up again on 4th Avenue. Zevala's localism marketing - using "TUC" as their store acronym - is just pure genius. Look for big things to come from this guy. Israel is the kind of young talent we want to grow and keep here in La Tusa. Worst Economic Development Idea: Tucson Mayor & Council proposal to sell El Rio public land to the private Grand Canyon University. If the City would have succeeded, it would have been the first major sale of an active, recreational, public park to a for-profit, out-of-town company. And oh what a sweetheart deal the City of Tucson was offering GCU: the kind of assistance mom and pops can only dream of. Best Sports Team: The # 1 Wild Cats. When they win, local restaurants & bars are full. Period. Worst Branding of Tucson Idea: Dropping Tucson's "Old Pueblo" nickname. First, how exactly do you even do that? Second, dumb ideas from newcomers to Tucson should only be made after at least three years of residency. n Miguel Ortega is an independent business development consultant. His radio program, "Locally Owned with Miguel Ortega", airs on KVOI 1030AM every Saturday at 11 a.m. You can also listen to his radio columns on KXCI 91.3FM and follow his blog at LocallyOwnedAZ.com. January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 51
6 Z garden
Resolutions for Your 2014 Vegetable Garden by Brandon Merchant
Now that winter is settling in, it is a good time to sit back and take stock of this past year's garden. What went wrong, what went well, and what do you plan to do differently this year are good questions to be asking yourself in preparation for the flurry of planting that is coming in the next few months. Chances are all of us could benefit from a few changes around the garden and with the new year, I thought it would be a good time to offer some resolutions that could help our gardens thrive in 2014.
Go Organic If you're not already an organic gardener, now is a great time to start. The majority of synthetic herbicides used in America are used at home where our families and pets come in contact with them. These cancer causing chemicals can be especially toxic to children who absorb them at higher rates. By switching to organic fertilizers and pesticides, we can eliminate these hazards from our homes for good. You may already have some great organic solutions in your house right now. Epsom salt is a great plant fertilizer, vinegar combined with vegetable oil makes a great contact weed killer, and baking soda is great at preventing many fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
Plan Ahead Time was, when one had to to plan out his or her garden for the next season, they had to sit down at the kitchen table with a pencil and some graph paper. Now all gardeners have to do is download an app such as Garden Squared to their tablet or smart phone and they are ready to go. Whether you go analog or digital, planning your layout ahead will allow you to get the most out of your garden space. For more effectiveness, try incorporating the square foot gardening method into your plans. You'll be rewarded with fewer weeds and increased yields. Growveg.com offers a 30 day trial to their garden planner service so you can try them for free before committing to a yearly subscription.
Start a Garden Journal One thing about gardening is every day is a new learning experience. Even those of us that have been gardening for many years still find things in the garden that surprise. For times like these, a gardening journal can become a gardener's best friend. Most of us can easily remember what we planted, but maybe not the variety, or which plant germinated first, or which one the bugs seemed to dislike most. All of these observations can be written down in a garden journal so that next year when it's time to plant, or when it's time to select seeds for saving, you can find those 52 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
plants that express the traits you desire and avoid those that didn't preform as well for you.
Let the Weeds Grow Most of us pull weeds without giving much of a thought to it because we don't really know any better. By doing so we are missing out on some healthy foods with interesting flavors courtesy of Mother Nature. For example, dandelion greens with their pungent mustard taste are a delicious addition to salads and they have eight times the antioxidants of spinach. Amaranth, purslane, and wild mustard are just a few of the edible "weeds" that will all appear in our gardens at some point through out the year. Next time you see a weed, type its description into a search engine or look it up in a book to find out what it is. You never know, that weed could have a delicious fruit or tasty leaf that will add some variety to your cuisine.
Plant Something New This is something that I do every year no matter what. Usually, I spend this time of year perusing seed catalogs checking looking for deals and checking out new open pollinated or heirloom varieties. Also peruse your local library's seed catalog, or check out Native SEED/SEARCH. Trying something new every year is a great way to find new varieties that are adapted to our desert climate.
Start a Compost Pile No garden would be complete without a compost heap, bin, or box close by. Organic gardening and composting go hand in hand. In fact, it is almost impossible to have one without the other. That is why I am encouraging you this year to ditch the plastic tumbler from the mega store and start a real honest-to-goodness compost heap. The benefits to your garden and to the environment are tremendous and you'll be rewarded with a happy healthy garden all year long. If space is tight or you've already purchased a plastic tumbler, you may consider retrofitting it and turning it into a worm composting system. Worms can eat half their body weight in kitchen scraps every day and the worm castings they produce is some of the most potent organic fertilizer you can get your hands on. I wish you all the best of luck with your gardens in the new year. Happy Gardening! n Brandon Merchant is the proprietor of Southwest Victory Gardens. Visit his website at SouthwestVictoryGardens.com.
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photo: Craig Baker
Z community
Skrappy’s Reopens with a New Face & Name by Craig Baker Throughout the month of December, a handful of volunteer dogooders were hard at work gutting out the building formerly known as Skrappy’s in the Warehouse Arts District on Toole Avenue. The place was more or less in ruins, says Tom Collins, Executive Director of City on a Hill (COAH)—the Christian outreach non-profit that took over the lease on the property from Skrappy’s founder Kathy Wooldridge in November of last year. The venue and youth outreach center held its last show Saturday, Nov. 2 before closing its doors with no clear path to reopening. Collins said that he simply expressed an interest in the property to a board member and the ball was quickly rolling to transfer control of the all ages-haven to COAH. Collins brought youth-driven Epicenter Church on board to help with outreach and operations (they will also be holding worship services on site every Sunday), and their collective progress in renovation has put the place on track for their Grand Opening celebration, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11. Though capacity is limited at the moment due to the fact that the building has only one bathroom (plans are in place to build a second), a lineup of nearly a dozen bands including the California-based Cool Ghouls has already signed on for the January show. This most recent facelift marks at least the fifth iteration of the center which focuses on providing a drug and alcohol-free space where at risk and homeless teens can safely mingle. Past-lives of the center include a short-lived phase as a nightclub on Oracle, and stints downtown next to the Rialto at 201 E. Broadway Blvd., in the basement of the Boys’ and 54 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
Girls’ Club on Alameda, and finally in their present location since 2009. Skrappy’s ran as a partnership with local homeless outreach organization Our Family Services from 2002-2009, when it transitioned to selfmanagement as the Tucson Youth Collective. The center gained some notoriety that supporters claimed was unwarranted when a man was shot to death outside the Broadway Boulevard location during a concert in December of 2005. Our Family Services settled a wrongful death suit with the victim’s family out of court for $150,000 in the summer of 2007. The lease on the Broadway location was subsequently not renewed and the group struggled to regain financial traction ever since. Collins and his friend Matt Baquet—another Skrappy’s old-schoolerturned-volunteer who works as a Booking Agent and Club Liason at Hotel Congress—say that, after the shooting, the social culture at the center really began to decline. They say it became cliquey and attracted only a small fraction of the up to 500 daily visitors the center had handled in its heyday. “We kind of want to just open the doors with this Jan. 11 show saying, ‘Hey, anyone can be here; whatever your background, wherever you’re from, you can come and hang out’… that’s what we want to bring back (to this place),” says Collins. In the spirit of a fresh start, though the paint on the building’s façade is not likely to change anytime soon, the name “Skrappy’s” will be going into retirement. Collins and his crew have opted for the simplified echo of the building’s address, “191,” in lieu of the traditional moniker.
photo: Craig Baker
Left page: Tom Collins, Executive Director of City on a Hill & new leader for 191, in the midst of the re-model. This page: The front of Skrappy’s before it morhps into 191.
Those getting their hands dirty for the project are optimistic about the prospects for the future of the roughly 12,000 square-foot center. Baquet thinks Collins’ leadership promises to usher in a new “golden age of Skrappy’s.” “I really think this is going to be something special. Like five years down the road it’s going to be the premiere all-ages spot in Arizona,” he says, his gaze fixed on something in the distance. Like him, Collins is also looking ahead. In the ramshackle, slightly water-damaged warehouse he sees a full working kitchen, a computer gathering and conference area, a lounge. In the basement, strewn with the litter and bullet holes from previous tenants, he sees a plan for offices and a green room for visiting artists. Though he intends to still pass out food and clothing from the location, his dream of providing counseling, job training, and eventually even paying jobs to the community’s at risk youth from 191's warehouse site is still a long way off. But what they lack in funding these young activists make up for in energy. And it is their dedication to providing teens a safe place to go after school and on weekends that may well be what reinvigorates Tucson’s young musical culture. n 191 is located at 191 E. Toole Ave. The Grand Opening Show is Saturday, Jan. 11 from about noon until the wee hours, if all goes to plan. It is a free, all-ages show. January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 55
Z tunes
“A Little Sand Box” of Howe Gelb One of Tucson’s landmark songwriters - guitarist and pianist Howe Gelb - has had an astoundingly strong and quirky musical career with a prolific output that is near impossible to categorize. by Eric Johns
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photo courtesy Fire Records, FireRecords.com
Howe Gelb
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Gelb is a musical sound creator with a hand in crafting over fifty albums. “Little Sand Box” only covers eight of his solo releases that span the stylistic gamut from eerie desolation to soul lifting hope to piano jazzy. Through most of his work, Gelb has a steady, wry song–talkin’ lyrical approach, and a passion to collaborate with varied musicians of the first water, with whom, in his words, “I would get sparked when we’d jam.” Much of Howe’s prodigious productivity has been as a solo act. His solo material, like the acclaimed 2006 release, “Sno Angel like You,” puts Howe’s Americana in juxtaposition with a gospel choir; years later finds Gelb collaborating with Spanish flamenco virtuosos on 2011’s “Alegrias” release. And then it’s his burning passion for piano instrumentals that lulls listeners into a reverie with the disk “Some Piano.” This month, British music label Fire Records releases a massive eight volume box-set, appropriately named “Little Sand Box,” containing previously released albums, re-mastered by Tucson’s Jim Blackwood and augmented with bonus tracks that may have been overlooked in the sheer volume of Gelb’s career output. Howe’s intimate, elucidating and indepth liner notes/booklet guides the listener and reader through more than two decades of his music, starting in Howe Gelb’s box set spans over two decades of his 1991, with styles rangphoto courtesy Fire Records, FireRecords.com ing from indie rock, Western weird and slow-core to European blues, soul, and flamenco played and produced in locales like Denmark and Spain; amid many, many life changes. Herein, described in song, are moments of the songwriter’s life, from wooing a wife - in 1991’s release “Dreaded Brown Recluse,” Actually Faxing Sophia, to his child’s voice, about to be told in Blue Marble Girl, on 2001’s release “Confluence” and the break-up of Giant Sand and its aftermath on two versions of the song Vex on that same release. For Gelb, music comes from life. The “Listener,” a 2003 release, is full of tremendous work with talented Danes, began from pre-life – as he writes in the liner notes: “It started out by going to Denmark to have our third child… about fourteen musicians showed up when I went in to record… by the time we finished the album, three were left standing when the dust settled … and these three would accompany me on the road to support the album…I would soon realize that this was becoming Giant Sand again.”
Or taking a chance late in the evening to chat up a choir in Ottawa, Canada, to see if a collaboration could be at hand.“I was so tormented that I didn’t make a connection with any of the choir people.” Gelb had been invited to the Ottawa Blues Festival, as Gelb puts it, “for some reason. “I just had to do something, so I went out into the beautiful July rain. I went in and sat down and caught the last couple songs and got dizzy again… transfixed… stunned with joy. I finally worked up the guts to find the director of that specific church… and approached him with my idea.” The resulting 2006 release “Sno Angel Like You,” re-released on this box set with two bonus tracks and accompanied by the 2009 formerly limited release of the live Ottawa show “Sno Angel Wingin It,” are, for this listener, the most powerful materials in the set. The collaborating choir Voices of Praise Gospel Choir - soar and growl in perfect contrapunt to the songwriters’ sung and spoken words. This album feels good like gospel should, and the live release, with five cuts not on “Sno Angel” proper, is by itself, worth the price of admission. As Gelb says, “the result is a fine audio postcard of the excitement that a gospel choir can radiate on stage and on the road… a real blessing.” In order, the box set is comprised of “Deadly Brown Recluse,” “Hisser,” “Conflumusic. ence,” “The Listener,” “Sno Angel Like You,” “Sno Angel Wingin’ It,” “Allegrias” and “Some Piano.” “Some Piano” especially caught my ear. Gelb spent mucho time as an evolving pre-adult listening to quality piano blues and jazz, and it is despite Howe’s self-deprecation in his liner notes, “the black notes had me stumped,” and “my ear was tin” - performances shining gorgeously in these evolved tracks, culled from Howe’s previous piano releases “Lull,” “Ogle,” “Spun” and “Snarl.” All in all, the mostly re-mastered eight disc box set is a feast for either a dedicated Howe Gelb fan or one perhaps not yet in the fold. Music made in Canada, Spain, Denmark, but most of all, in Tucson, from a Tucsonan. The box-set is set for release on Jan. 14, at local record stores or from Fire Records. More information is available at FireRecords.com or HoweGelb.com.
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Photo courtesy of RekRoomMedia.com
Z tunes
Charlie Faye performs with Billy Sedlmayer at Club Congress on Sat, Jan 4.
LIVE MUSIC 2ND SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN Congress Street, 2ndSaturdaysDowntown.com Sat 11: K-Bass, Andy See & His Swinging Jamboree, more TBA.
BORDERLANDS BREWING 119 E. Toole Ave. 261-8773, BorderlandsBrewing.com Thu 2: The Swigs Fri 3: Tortolita Gutpluckers Sat 4: Mustang Corners Thu 16: The Determined Luddites Fri 17: Mitzi Cowell Sat 18: Bob Einweck & Amos Hopkins Fri 24: Aztral Folk Sat 25: Tommy Tucker Fri 31: Holmes-Levinson Group
BOONDOCKS LOUNGE 3306 N. 1st Ave. 690-0991, BoondocksLounge.com Sundays: Lonny’s Lucky Poker Night Mondays: The Bryan Dean Trio Tuesdays: Lonny’s Lucky Poker Night Fridays: Live Music with Neon Prophet Sat 4: Equinox 58 ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com | January 2014
CAFE PASSE 415 N. 4th Ave. 624-4411, CafePasse.com Wednesdays: Jazz Wednesday Thursdays: Songwriter Thursdays Fridays: Blues Fridays Saturdays: Country Saturdays
CLUB CONGRESS 311 E. Congress St. 622-8848, HotelCongress.com/club Thu 2: Opti Club Fri 3: North Tour Kickoff Sat 4: Charlie Faye & Billy Sedlmayr Tue 7: Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz Thu 9: Opti Club- Denim Party Fri 10: Mean Beans Thu 16: Gungor, Opti Club Tue 21: Dent May Wed 22: Steff & The Articles Thu 23: Opti Club Fri 24: Young Hunter & Ohioan Split Release Party Tue 28: The Menzingers Thu 30: Opti Club Fri 31: Cate Le Bon
DELECTABLES RESTAURANT & CATERING 533 N. 4th Ave. 884-9289, Delectables.com Friday and Saturdays: Live Music 7pm.
Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys perform at Fox Theatre on Wed, Jan 29.
FIVE POINTS MARKET AND RESTAURANT 756 S. Stone Ave. 977-6272. Wed 11: Five Points Philharmonic
FOX TUCSON THEATRE 17 W. Congress St. 624-1515, FoxTucsonTheatre.org Sun 19: Pink Martini Thu 23: Outlaw Country Fri 24: Colin Quinn Sat 25: Cool Hand Luke Wed 29: Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys
HACIENDA DEL SOL 5501 N. Hacienda Del Sol. 2991501, HaciendaDelSol.com Sun 5: The Bryan Dean Trio Sun 12: Grams & Krieger Sun 19: The Van Dykes Sun 26: Johnny Strasser & Fiends
PLAYGROUND BAR AND LOUNGE 278 E. Congress. 396-3691. PlaygroundTucson.com See the website.
RIALTO THEATRE
Slaughter Tour Sat 25: Hot Tuna & Leon Russell Tue 28: The Music of Abba Wed 29: Parmalee
SKY BAR 536 N. 4th Ave. 622-4300, SkyBarTucson.com Mondays: Team Trivia Tuesdays: Jazz Wednesdays: Open Mic Thursdays: Live Music
SOLAR CULTURE 31 E. Toole Ave. 884-0874, SolarCulture.org Fri 17: JD Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers
SURLY WENCH PUB 424 N. 4th Ave., 882-0009, SurlyWenchPub.com Fri 3: Black Cherry Burlesque Tue 7: Artphag Sat 11: Fineline Revisited Fri 17: Andalusia Rose/ Musk Hog Sat 18: Club Sanctuary 5 Year Anniversary Fri 24: Tucsonics Sat 25: Fineline Revisited
318 E. Congress St. 740-1000, RialtoTheatre.com Tue 8: Jonny Lang Fri 10: AFI Wed 16: Karla Bonoff Fri 17: Young Dubliners Sat 18: The Fab Four Thu 23: The Battle For Summer January 2014 | ZOCALOMAGAZINE.com 59
Z lifeintucson by Andrew Brown
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