Last summer I wrote a blog about the 1975 blockbuster movie “Jaws” showing at Cinema La Placita (click here). Here it is again — still relevant with the summer 2011 showing date of Thursday June 30, 7:30 p.m. at La Placita Village. The outdoor film showing is near 110 S. Church, in the gazebo area near the SW corner of Church and Broadway in downtown Tucson. Cost is still only $3 donation, which includes popcorn.

When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.

This is obviously a yearly event, to help cool down during the summer heat by watching ocean scenes on the big screen.

Recently I saw another movie that featured a shark (sort of) — “Soul Surfer” about teenager Bethany Meilani Hamilton who lost her left arm in a tiger shark attack off the Hawaiian island of Kauai — where I used to practice law. It was a 14 foot shark that took her arm suddenly while she was board surfing. I used to boogie board and body surf on that island, but never got into the sport of board surfing, as there were hardly any big waves where I grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lucky those who lived on the other islands where the surf was always up…but there was always the fear of sharks, especially at dusk.

Cinema La Placita is in its 11th year showing classic movies downtown at La Placita Village. Also catch their films on the big screen at the big empty lot on E. Congress (between Stone and Scott) on every 2nd Saturdays Downtown.

And in case the monsoons continue since it did start to rain (finally) this early morning:

RAINOUT PROCEDURE:
We make the decision whether or not to cancel a movie at 7PM, but don’t have a way to update this website from our location. So, after 7PM, call our hotline, 520-326-5282 to hear a recorded message. Or, follow us on Twitter, in order to receive news of a cancellation by Tweet

And coming up next Thursday July 7 (and again for 2nd Saturday Downtown July 9) will be the 1965 classic “Singing in the Rain” starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor. Maybe the monsoons will continue by then as well, and we will all be singing in the rain…

If you care about how the new Congressional and state legislative districts in Arizona are drawn (based on 2010 Census changes), then you might want to attend the upcoming meeting of the AIRC (Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission). Based on population increase, Arizona is supposed to get an additional Congressional District seat in the U.S. Congress. Next meeting of the AIRC in Tucson:

Thursday June 30, 1 p.m. at

Pima Community College – District Office
4905 E. Broadway Blvd.
Building “C” Room #105
Tucson, AZ 85709 (West of Rosemont Blvd)

I reported about this AIRC when they met earlier this month on June 15 in Oro Valley (click here), and I attended a May AIRC meeting in Tucson at the UA Student Union. You can also watch the meetings via Live Stream (usually) at their website: www.azredistricting.org. And there is always a Call for Public Comment period in which members of the public can provide input.

The June 30 agenda indicates a presentation by their mapping consultant.

The Commission meets mostly in Phoenix, so this is another chance for Tucsonans to watch the process live, and participate if they chose to.

Note: I personally know Commissioner Rick Stertz having served as Co-chair with him years ago on a neighborhood Zoning/Land Use committee.

One night only, Wed, June 29 at 8 p.m. at Invisible Theater, 1400 N. 1st Avenue (at Drachman):

Join Tucson’s “Blues Divas” Lisa Otey, Diane Van Duerzen, and Heather Hardy and feel the “Power of Love” as they celebrate 100 years of classic sexy and sassy blues women from Ma Rainey to Etta James!

For more info log onto their website, www.invisibletheatre.com, or call (520) 882-9721 or email invisibletheatre@email.com.

A very visible (not invisible) force in Tucson for over 40 years…

The Invisible Theatre (IT) of Tucson, a 501 C 3 organization, is dedicated to producing quality theatre and arts education experiences for all facets of the community in an intimate setting that showcases local professional talent and guest artists. IT takes its name from the invisible energy that flows between a performer and audience, creating the magic of theatre. Started in 1971 as an arena for local playwrights , the theatre has expanded its programs to include adaptations of classics and recent Off-Broadway plays and musicals, while continuing to encourage new playwrights through both full productions and stage readings.

Under the leadership of Managing Artistic Director Susan Claassen, Associate Artistic Director James Blair, and Associate Producer Cathy Johnson, IT is strongly committed to community service and outreach programs. The company’s current season includes a six play Main Stage season, many special events, Project Pastime – an educational theatre program for the mentally challenged including a video workbook and seminars that encourage community dialogue.

And note that Susan spells her last name as “Claassen” not to be confused with my last name of “Classen”, though we now humorously consider ourselves “cousins”. I recently watched the Pastime Players perform at the Flux Gallery (at Plaza Palomino) and they are a group of talented and fun-loving high schoolers.