I may be one of the few people in Tucson who has yet to eat at this new upscale French restaurant in the Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida Convento, SW corner of W. Congress St., west of the I-10. Dine there today from 11 a.m. & support the Fox Theatre’s 82nd birthday. And I heard also that Fox freebies will be given away.

Their website: http://www.agustinbrasserie.com/ (with menu & map)

The Fox’s website: www.foxtucsontheatre.org for upcoming shows, movies, special events at 17 W. Congress Street.
Coming up this weekend Saturday & Sunday May 19 & 20 at 2 p.m. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”.

As the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy, the heroic Jedi Knights struggle to maintain order and restore peace. More and more systems are falling prey to the forces of the dark side as the Galactic Republic slips further and further under the sway of the Separatists and their never-ending droid army.

So I kindly asked Nick to send me photos he took of the May 16, 2009 newsstand with his dog friend, appropriately named “Citizen Z” (who is not for sale).

"Our Epitaph" and dog sculpture

Georgiou’s website: http://myhumancomputer.blogspot.com/. His studio is upstairs at the Citizens Art Studios at 44 W. 6th Street (BICAS building). See more photos of this dog sculpture at his website.

Nick also had a booth recently at the Tucson Festival of Books, as he uses discarded books in his creative art as well.

R.I.P. Tucson Citizen newspaper

Kino Heritage Festival events on May 19:

12:30 and 1:15 pm
Two Mission Tours by The Docents of Patronato San Xavier – Tour 45 minutes
The mission tours by the Patronato are conducted daily and are opened to the public. The Patronato San Xavier is a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization founded by Southern Arizona community leaders in 1978 to promote the restoration, maintenance and preservation of Mission, a National Historic Landmark. The docents are volunteers from the community, trained in the history, architecture, and culture of the Mission San Xavier and its surroundings. See www.patronatosansavier.org.

2:00 to 2:20 pm
Opening Remarks and talk on the history of Father Kino and the People of San Xavier del Bac (in the Church).

2:30 to 3:00 pm
Classic Music Concert by the Tucson’s Dolce Musica Quintet. The members of the woodwind quintet are Barb Bayless, Christie Blute, Lorraine Callahan, David Eckertand, Sherry Jameson who are members of the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (in the Church).
__________________
3:00 to 4:30 pm
Courtyard Reception with Book Signing, Art Show, Live Music and other entertainment in the beautiful Mission San Xavier courtyard and arcades.

Book Signing
Artist and author Edna San Miguel will sign her recent book “Mission San Xavier … A Story of Saints and Angels, Art and Artists”. Edna beautifully tells the story of our internationally famous mission in both English and Spanish text along with her enchanting illustrations. She relates the mission’s history, architecture and statuary and other art and the efforts of the international team of conservators to preserve it. Edna’s book is published by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press. See www.ednasanmiguelart.com

Art Show featuring local artists including art displayed by artist and author Edna San Miguel and Joan Grecchi.

Live Music and other entertainment including traditional music of Arizona and Sonora.

The Mission Museum and the Mission Gift Shop will be open during its regular hours.
See the Mission’s website at www.sanxaviermission.org.

Note: The two tours are at 12:30 and 1:15 pm. The main festival events start at 2:00 pm.

The San Xavier Mission and the Kino Heritage Society are joining with communities across Sonora and Arizona during the month of May by having the Kino Festival at the San Xavier Mission on Saturday afternoon May 19th from 12:30 to 4:30 pm.

Our Festival is part of the regional celebrations in Arizona and Sonora from May 16th to May 20th that honor the life of Jesuit missionary and explorer Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino.

The Tubac Presidio State Historical Park (Friday May 18 to Sunday May 20) and the Tumacacori National Historical Park (Wednesday May 16- Special Mission Guevavi and Calabasas Tour; Thursday May 17 Events at Park Headquarters) are also participating and having their own Kino Festivals.

The flyer above has a beautiful image of the pen and ink drawing of Ted DeGrazia’s (courtesy of the DeGrazia Foundation) of the San Xavier Mission and its people.

More details for San Xavier, Tubac and Tumacacori Festivals when they become available at www.padrekino.com.

Tumacacori National Historic Park would appreciate an RSVP on the tour to (520) 398-2341, extension 0.

Anita Badertscher
Acting Chief of Interpretation
Tumacácori National Historical Park
P.O. Box 8067
Tumacacori, AZ 85640
(520) 398-2341, ext. 74 (enter 174#), or 0 for the visitor center.

Who: Tucson Pops Orchestra Spring 2010 Concert Season

What: FREE concerts under the stars for the whole family

When: Sundays, May 13, 20, 27 and June 3, 10 and 17, at 7:00 p.m.

Where: DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park (E. 22nd x Country Club)

Tucson, AZ — Sunday, May 13th marks the opening of the spring season of the Tucson Pops Concerts in the Park. The Orchestra, under the direction of Laszlo Veres, celebrates its 57th year of performing free concerts in the park. The public is invited to enjoy “Music under the Stars” at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, in Reid Park, on Sunday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm from May 13th through June 17th. The concert schedule is as follows:

May 13- Mother’s Day Concert – Featuring the Catalina Foothills “Falcon” Steel Band, under the direction of Dr. Tina Walton performing a medley of island inspired music. The orchestra will perform A Salute to Glenn Miller, My Yiddishe Momme, selections from the Sound of Music and more to round out the evening dedicated to moms everywhere.

May 20 – Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus under the direction of Dr. Julian Ackerley. The internationally acclaimed group will sing selections of some of their favorite tunes. The orchestra will perform Overture to Boccaccio by von Suppé, Somewhere in Time by Barry/Custer, Jamaican Rumba by Benjamin and more.

May 27 – An Evening with Nancy Davis Booth, one of Tucson’s most popular guest vocalists. She will perform several Puccini operatic numbers including “Musetta’s waltz” from La Bohème, and Vissi D’arte” from Tosca; in addition to several contemporary classics including My Funny Valentine by Rodgers, George Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm and more.

June 3 –Maestro’s Favorites – Featuring a variety of Conductor Laszlo Veres’ favorite tunes including the world premiere of “Legends”, An Overture and Festivals, both by Richard Faith, along with Medleys from Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Moscow Nights and more.

June 10 – Stars of the Pops – The Tucson Pops Orchestra takes center stage at this concert featuring a collection of new and old favorites including selections from Sweet Charity, soundtrack highlights from The Lion King and more.

June 17– Future Star – Clark Evans, Cellist performing the Cello Concerto by Dvorak. The orchestra will conclude the 2012 spring season of “Music under the Stars” with Quest for Camelot – Selections, Tango Jealousie, and the ever popular 1812 Overture (complete with “cannon” fire) by Tchaikovsky.

The spring 2012 concert series is sponsored by Long Companies, Rosemont Copper, the Friends of the Pops and Tucson Parks and Recreation with additional support from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Tucson Pima Arts Council.

The DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center is located off Country Club just north of 22nd Street. Parking is available at the Randolph Park Golf Course parking lot, Alvernon Way just north of 22nd Street with shuttle service to the band shell beginning at 5:30pm.

For more information on the Tucson Pops Orchestra visit the website at http://www.tucsonpops.org. Bios and photos of guest artists are available upon request.

Contact:

Norma Gentry
ProVentures, Inc.
520-318-9445
ngentry@pvinc.net

And Happy Mother’s Day to all who attend the concert tomorrow night, especially mothers, stepmothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, even mothers-in-law and foster mothers.

Who doesn’t love jello? But in wrestling? This event benefitng Southern Arizona Aids Foundation (SAAF) is in its 25th year, and counting…so it must be successful. How did I miss the first 24 matches?

Teams of wrestlers raise funds to wrestle in a pit of Jell-O, often with extraordinary costumes and characters. Between wrestling matches our Drag Diva Hostesses run a live auction featuring a variety of unique items selected to please the crowd.

For all that jello fun, check it out on May 12, 3 p.m. pre-party, with the jello wrestling beginning at 4 p.m. till 8 p.m., all at Kennedy Fiesta Park, 3700 S. La Cholla.

Buy advance tickets online at $20 at a discount (website www.jello-wrestling.org), or $25 at the door/gate.

History of this event from their website:

In 1987, Reno Gannon, a bartender at Tucson bar Rumor Hazzit, returned from a vacation in Mexico with an exciting new idea for a fundraising event. The concept? Jell-O Wrestling!

Reno spoke with Rumor Hazzitt owner Bruce Peg and his management staff of Peter Sitig and Michael Bennett about putting on the event as a fundraiser to help people living with HIV/AIDS. Bruce, Peter, and Michael liked the idea and organized the first Jell-O Wrestling Extravaganza in 1987. Shanti, one of the 3 local AIDS Service Organizations that would later merge to form the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF), was the recipient of event proceeds.

Reno was an energetic, fun-loving, intelligent man in his early 20s when he brought this idea to the community. Committed to doing something to help, he and the owners and management of Rumor Hazzit made the event a reality. At age 23, Reno died from AIDS. The year following his death, the event became a memorial to him.

Reno’s legacy of hope and dedication to raising public awareness about HIV/AIDS continues through this wonderful event. In the past 9 years alone, Jell-O Wrestling has raised more than $260,000 for the programs and services of SAAF.

Thinking about this jello wrestling inspired me to make some lime jello (for consumption) this morning.

Starting May 11 at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway:

The real-life story of “legendary musician, activist and revolutionary” Bob Marley, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland)

Co-presented by Zia Record Exchange

Bob Marley’s universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. MARLEY is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, the film features rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best.

From Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (One Day In September, The Last King of Scotland) comes the story of a towering figure of musical history, whose music and message has transcended different cultures, languages and creeds to resonate around the world today as powerfully as when he was alive.

Bob Marley was a half black/half white Jamaican, a very talented reggae musician, father of several children one being musician Ziggy Marley. Years ago I read a biography about him so I know he died very young at age 36 from melanoma in his toe, which spread throughout his body. He died on May 11, 1981, coincidentally 31 years from the day this movie opens at the Loft. And for those of you who are Marley fans, you probably know that he prophesied his own death at age 36.

More on Bob Marley (the “King of Reggae”) at wikipedia (click here).

With the temporary closing of part of E. Congress Street for the Sun Link modern streetcar construction, going downtown has been a bit of a challenge. However, 2nd Saturdays Downtown did happen last month on April 14, and will be held again on Saturday May 14.

Downtowntucson.org reports that Scott Avenue will be expanded down to Jackson Street to accommodate the construction: http://www.downtowntucson.org/2012/05/2nd-saturdays-moves-to-scott-avenue/

Full event schedule at the 2nd Saturdays Downtown website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

And click here for a detour map: http://www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Detour-Plan.pdf. Consider taking the Sun Tran bus, biking, walking, skateboarding, to ease up some of the traffic going downtown. But remember that 6th Avenue south of E. 6th Street is now two ways for easier access, so there is parking still available, just not on Congress.

Support downtown and continue to enjoy this wildly popular & successful urban street fest, with lively music, great selection of food, crafts, movies, art receptions, science exhibits, classic cars, etc. etc. Most events are free except for the food.

Showing at The Drawing Studio, 33 S. 6th Avenue are whimsical and satirical cartoons by David Kish, who draws the Hoopleville Comics in The Tucson Weekly. I went to the opening reception last Saturday, and the show is open again this 2nd Saturday, and will continue till May 26.

Text below from Change.org http://www.change.org/petitions/wall-guy-save-the-wall:

Gary Morrow is a Vietnam Veteran who has built his own little fortress full of treasures! Located on Prince and Park in Tucson AZ Gary has been a busy bee trying to beautify the neighborhood with his art. His wall art has been up since 2001 and features amazing works of art all around inside and out of his front yard and wall. He uses all recycled materials he calls it “up cycling” It is truly amazing! The whole community enjoys it; even people from out of state come to see it and its many changing themes for all the seasons. It is an inspirational therapy wall that you just have to see to get the full effect. But none the less this beautiful wall is in danger of being torn down because it is over 5 feet tall without a permit, even though it has been up since 2001; the wall, the artist, and the community need help in the fight to Save The Wall!

I visited Gary’s wall (NE corner of Park x Gifford, 2 blocks north of Prince Rd. at 3674 N. Park Ave.) and it is indeed a fanciful corner wall with towering real & metal saguaros, giant flowers (see sunflowers below), a diorama of a Western train town, metal deer on the top — created out of recycled, found objects.

View the Youtube video above (Part 1), and Part 2 (click here), sign the petition at Change.org if you feel strongly about this inspired wall art. There’s even a lovely tile art creation of St. Francs of Assisi near the front gate.

Sunflowers at The Wall Guy's wall, courtesy of Gary Morrow

I first learned about the Wall Guy’s wall from fellow blogger “Locally, Vocally” Amy Glor (click here for four of her photos #2-5 of this wall.)

Checks can be sent to Gary Morrow, 3661 N. Campbell Ave. #224, Tucson 85719 or deposited to Wells Fargo bank account # 8609018653.

Go check out this artistic wall for yourself, and help The Wall Guy save his wall.

Brand new campaign from the Loft’s website:

What is Building For The Future?
Building For The Future is a campaign to raise $2.5M in order to deliver a superior film-going experience by expanding The Loft, updating technology, and making the entire facility fully accessible.

What is The Loft?
The Loft Cinema is authentic Tucson – a beloved local arts organization dedicated to creating community through film. The Loft promotes the appreciation and understanding of film, honors the vision of filmmakers, and celebrates the ideas brought to life through the art of film.

Established 1972
The Loft has been a Tucson treasure for 40 years. The Loft is BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE so that generations to come will have a community space to share the joy of experiencing stories told through motion pictures for the next 40 years.

What makes The Loft special?
The Loft is Tucson’s premiere venue for art films: independent, foreign, alternative, classics and documentaries. Since The Loft became a nonprofit in 2002, the cinema has hosted more than 400 filmmakers and has screened films from 56 countries. The Loft curates both the international Loft Film Festival and the Tucson International Children’s Film Festival, shows plays from the National Theatre in London, art film classics from the archives, crazy b-movies and cult classics. The Loft’s Education Initiative has many key local, national and international partners and eclectic programming like Science on Screen and the Human Rights Watch Film Festival.

Some of The Loft’s Accolades
• Voted Best of Tucson by the readers of the Tucson Weekly every year since 2002
• Honored with a Lumie from the Tucson Pima Arts Council in 2005 for Emerging Arts Organization
• 1 of only 17 cinemas in the U.S. invited by the Sundance Institute to join its Art House Project
• 1 of only 9 cinemas in the country to take part in Sundance USA
• 1 of only 2 cinemas to host both annual editions of Sundance Film Forward

Why fix what isn’t broken?
Yes, we like it how it is too, but our aim is to provide our audience with the most amazing viewing experience possible. Our commitment to excellent programming will not change—we will continue to run our full spectrum of events from Mondo Mondays to Essential Cinema, but we will be able to provide more consistent showtimes, screen more films, and most importantly, host more community events!
Plus – WE’RE GOING TO MAKE IT AS GREEN AS WE CAN!

Why is The Loft expanding?
A simple answer is because there’s just too much “awesome” being produced and not enough square footage to contain it, but let us explain further…
Have you ever…
Noticed how crowded the lobby gets when there are 500 people in the building—or even 200?
Stood in line at the concession stand for an eternity to get a glass of wine? (WE KNOW IT GETS BETTER WITH AGE, BUT SERIOUSLY)
Wished The Loft could keep a film around longer, or that showtimes weren’t so darned confusing?
Adding one indoor theatre, one flexible outdoor space, a more spacious lobby, a bigger concession stand (with more good stuff to eat and drink), improved sightlines, more comfortable seats and accessible restrooms* will greatly improve your experience at The Loft. (*DON’T WORRY LADIES, THE RED TILE WOMEN’S RESTROOM WILL SURVIVE!)

Why bring The Loft up to date?
The Loft must invest in new digital equipment—both projection and sound—because technology is significantly changing for the first time since talkies replaced silent film. The Loft is going to continue to show great films, both new and classic, so we have to adapt to this change. Although we are adding digital technology, The Loft is dedicated to showing 35mm prints whenever they are available. We need to return to the days when films were shown on reel-to-reel projectors, which will allow us to borrow prints from archives and studios, preserving and improving our ability to show films on film for years to come.

Building for The Community
Based on statistics from our Sundance Art House colleagues, adding a third screen to The Loft will increase revenue exponentially. It will also provide the extra space and time for twice as many community collaborations, including film festivals and special screenings. These partnerships help local organizations increase awareness, raise funds and promote good causes that bring the community closer together.

Division of Dollars
$870,000 Land & Building Acquisition
$950,000 New Construction
$350,000 Renovation
$330,000 Technology

How?
Only one way—with YOUR help! And your friends! And heck, even your casual acquaintances! People who love The Loft! People who love movies! People who love Tucson!

When?
We hope to break ground in November, in time for the Loft Film Fest and our 40th anniversary celebration.

Naming opportunities for the larger donations and recognition for EVERYONE who helps!
For more info please contact Debi Chess Mabie at dcm@loftaz.com.

You can donate online here:https://payments.auctionpay.com/ver3/?id=w025907

The Loft Cinema is at 3233 E. Speedway.

I have been a loyal Loft Cinema volunteer for over three and a half years, and would encourage all of you who love the Loft’s independent & art films to please help with this proposed campaign. This week alone I saw a documentary about the disparity in breast cancer health care between the rich & poor in America (“The Education of Dee Dee Ricks”), and “Monte Walsh”, a Western benefit last night for the Empire Ranch Foundation (click here.) And this expansion groundbreaking should be completed in time for the Loft’s 40th anniversary this year.

Thursday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Admission: $25.00 all tickets
at the Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
All proceeds benefit Empire Ranch Preservation
for tickets, call 888-364-2829
http://empireranchfoundation.eventbrite.com/
Tickets will also be sold at the door, beginning at 6pm.

Don’t miss a very special screening of a classic movie for a classic cause when Empire Ranch Foundation presents MONTE WALSH, the epic 1970 Western starring LEE MARVIN, JEANNE MOREAU and JACK PALANCE, and partially shot here in Southern Arizona! All proceeds from this screening will benefit the preservation of Empire Ranch, the local historic landmark used in the making of numerous classic Hollywood Westerns.

Featuring a post-film Q&A with PAM MARVIN (Lee Marvin’s widow), TODD ROBERTS (son of Monte Walsh producer Bobby Roberts), actor MITCH RYAN (Magnum Force, High Plains Drifter) who played Shorty Austin in the film, and actor BO HOPKINS (The Wild Bunch, Midnight Express) who played Jumpin’ Joe Joslin in the film.

“The performances are extraordinary. Marvin has seldom been better; he leaves in the toughness of his usual screen character, but he also reveals a lot of depth.” – Roger Ebert, THE CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Oscar-winning Hollywood legend (and former Tucsonan) LEE MARVIN stars, along with a stellar cast including Jack Palance, Jeanne Moreau, Mitch Ryan and Bo Hopkins, in this gripping saga that covers the tumultuous final days of the Old West. Facing a changing landscape where barbed wire and railways are fast replacing the freedom of the open range, Monte Walsh (Marvin) and his fellow cowboys consider new work opportunities, toy with the idea of “settling down,” and draw their pistols for one last showdown. Widely considered to be one of the very best Westerns of the 1970s, MONTE WALSH features one of Lee Marvin’s greatest performances, as an aging cowboy looking for one last shot at relevance in a world that’s passing him by.

This special event is generously underwritten by THE GREEN VALLEY PECAN COMPANY:
http://www.greenvalleypecan.com/

VISIT THE EMPIRE RANCH FOUNDATION WEBSITE:
http://www.empireranchfoundation.org/

UPDATE: Lee Marvin’s widow Pam, Bo Hopkins, John White (stuntman), Professor Richard Shelton, Todd Roberts (son of producer Bobby), and Mark Hedley (producer of Westerns) were on the panel tonight, prior to the film showing. Pam said that the movie was of a “time long gone by, about the “demise of ranchers & cowboys”, that it was a “homage to cattle hands & the untamed West.” The others spoke of the movie’s filming at Old Tucson as well as the Reynolds Ranch nearby, about the late Lee Marvin (even driving his truck around Tucson hauling stuff in his neighborhood). Actor Hopkins said that Marvin was “great to work with”, that this film was his 3rd of 150 movies. Hedley was an extra in this film and remembered Lee Marvin as “gracious.” Q & A were questions about Western remakes, successors to great film stars, Marvin’s favorite restaurant in Tucson (Pam’s answer: Casa Adobes Drug Store for a good burger), importance of cowboy history, digital technology.

The film itself was well shot through Southern Arizona, had quite a few dramatic moments, as well as humor, with a bittersweet ending. It was mostly about the life & times of the cowboy out West, and decisions about the job or settling down with a family.

This movie showing was well attended and a successful benefit for the Empire Ranch Foundation. District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll and “Inside Track” radio talk show host Emil Franzi (1030 AM KVOI) were in attendance.