William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” premiered tonight at the Himmel Park Outdoor Amphitheatre, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. (south of E. 1st Street between Tucson Blvd. and Treat Avenue). This local El Rio Theatre Project production is directed by Michael Givens.

Ongoing performances will be on September 17-19, 23-26, and October 1-3, all at 7 p.m. Bring a blanket so you can sit comfortably on the sloping, grassy hill of this outdoor amphitheatre watching the actors perform on the grassy mound/stage. Temperatures are getting cooler, so this should be a fun family activity.

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“Much Ado About Nothing” was probably made famous by the 1993 Kenneth Branagh movie, starring that British director/actor, his then-wife Emma Thompson, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, and Denzel Washington. Rent it as well on DVD.

Suggested donation $5, and proceeds provide a stipend for the actors. This is the 4th Shakespeare in the Park performance by the El Rio Theatre Project, sponsored by the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Dept.

I’ve read this play and seen performances at other theaters/parks over the years. It’s very clever and witty, and unlike its title, the play is “much ado about something” special. For more info, call 520-791-4196.

The largest environmental film festival in the U.S. is coming once again to The Loft Cinema! The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection is hosting the annual Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival on Tour, on Wednesday September 15 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and are on sale at The Summit Hut, Antigone Books, and the Tucson Audubon Nature Shop.

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The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival On Tour brings together award-winning environmental and outdoor adventure films designed to inspire and motivate you to go out and make a difference in your community and around the world.

This year’s touring films were chosen from among the favorites at the annual film festival held in the Sierra Nevada foothills each January. The chosen films not only highlight environmental concerns but also provide solutions, reaching people through beautiful imagery, and inspiring local individuals to get involved in “Conserving the Wild & Scenic Places Close to Home.”

The festival has grown to receive local, regional, and national acclaim for celebrating the spirit of environmental activism and has become the largest traveling festival of its kind in North America, hitting more than 70 cities across the country.

The feature film of the evening is Eric Bendick’s documentary DIVISION STREET. This film highlights the environmental challenges presented by North America’s vast system of roads. Roads are the largest human artifact on the planet; they have fragmented wild landscapes, ushered in the ‘age of urban sprawl,’ and challenged our sense of community. This film looks at the promise of wildlife corridors, the potential for ‘greening’ our highway system, and the fusion of high-tech engineering with the best and brightest environmental research happening today.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to explore hot-button environmental issues and solutions through cinema, and support the important ongoing work of the Coalition right here in Southern Arizona!

For more information visit:
www.sonorandesert.org
(Running time: approximately 3 hrs.). Get your tickets today before they sell out!

The Loft Cinema is at 3233 E. Speedway (east of Country Club).

“Songs of Humanity: A 9/11 Commemorative Concert” at Temple Emanu-El

Saturday, September 11th at 7:30 pm, the 9th anniversary of the attacks of 9/11, the Tucson Multi-Faith Alliance will hold a community prayer service entitled Songs of Humanity: A 9/11 Commemorative Concert at Temple Emanu-El.

Musical representatives of many different faith communities will participate in a concert of instrumental and vocal music. (From Temple Emanu-
El website, http://www.templeemanueltucson.org.)

My husband and I attended last year’s 9/11 multi-faith service at the same temple and here’s my write up on that somber event (click here ). Speakers/performers from the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, and Sikh communities of Tucson participated last year.

The Tucson Multi-Faith Alliance’s mission statement is “building mutual understanding and community across the boundary lines of religion, race, creed, orientation and ability.”

Temple Emanu-El in Tucson

Temple Emanu-El is at 225 N. Country club, north of Broadway, phone (520) 327-4501. It is the oldest Reform Jewish synagogue in Tucson.