Greg Morton Band

MUSIC. Enjoy the Marana Bluegrass Summer Concert Series on the second Saturdays of each month June through September.

When? 6:15 PM
Where? Crossroads at Silverbell Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road
Price? FREE

Mark & Karen Klay

ART + MUSIC. Hilton Indoor Summer Fine Arts Festival will take place Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24 from 10 AM to 4 PM.

The festival – presenting handmade jewelry, glasswork, mixed media, metalwork, pottery, acrylic and oil paintings and photography – will also showcase the first-class collection of antique Native American baskets and gourd art from Artists Mark and Karen Klay.

Musical entertainment includes piano jazz and Broadway tunes form Mark Willis, jazz vibes from Homero Ceron, folk guitar from Amber Gaia, flamenco guitar from Gabriel Ayala and strolling accordions from Shirley and Jim O’Brien.

Where? Tucson Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Road
Price? FREE

Willie Nelson.
Willie’s coming to the Fox Theater  Wednesday July 11th at 7:30 PM. I’ve already reserved our seats.

Where? Downtown Tucson

Price? Not Free

Get your tickets now for upcoming Fox Theater performances.

The Fox Theater downtown Tucson is one of my Southern Arizona favorites. You can enjoy a fine dinner at Caffe’ Milano next door, or Cafe’ Poca Cosa around the corner, and then a great performance in the historic theater. Always a delightful night to remember.

Composer & Performer Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Thursday, May 24, 7:30 pm

Taj Mahal is a seriously influential 20^th century blues composer, instrumentalist, and vocalist with a 4-decade career playing American Blues music that has, over the recent past, expanded to represent music from the Caribbean, Africa, and Latin America.

Marshall Tucker Band

Marshall Tucker Band

Tuesday, May 29, 7:30 pm

It was 1973 when the Marshall Tucker Band became one of the founders of Southern rock music. In their hay day (1973-78) they produced hits such as “Can’t You See,” “Heard it in a Love Song”, “Searchin’ for a Rainbow,” “Fire on the Mountain”, and “24 Hours at a Time”.

The members of the band have changed over the years, but founding member and lead singer Doug Gray, is still at the helm. Reviews of their recent performances have been glowing.

Gillian Welsh

Gillian Welch

Friday, June 1, 8:00 pm

Performing with her musical partner, guitarist David Rawlings, their music has been described as sparse and dark, reminiscent of Appalachian, Bluegrass, and other rural genres. Gillian co-produced and sang two songs for the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? The platinum album won Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2002. Their seemingly simple songs can be delightfully and sometimes stunningly complex.

Riders In The Sky

Riders in the Sky

Friday, June 15, 8:00 pm

A few weeks ago at Old Tucson, Neighbor Roy & I, along with a couple of hundred other old folks, had the privilege of being entertained by the Sons of the Pioneers. If you don’t know who this Western music group is, you’re probably under the age of 60.

But for those of you who grew up with Gene Autry & Roy & Dale Evans, Riders In The Sky is a nostalgic trip to a bygone era.

Roger McGuinn

Roger McGuinn

Saturday, June 16, 7:30 pm

Roger McGuinn is legendary co-founder and former front man for the folk-rock band, The Byrds, famous for their hit renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Tambourine Man” and Peter Seeger’s “Turn! Turn! Turn!” McGuinn brings his talent as a solo guitar player and folk artist to the Fox for an intimate evening of song and storytelling.

This is about what we in Tucson can expect our sky to look like at 6:40 PM Sunday.

On May 20^th, three days from now, the late afternoon sun will disappear. At least for a several minutes. And from Tucson, it won’t entirely disappear. Nevertheless, the event will be spectacular.

On Sunday, beginning around 5:31 PM our time, we will be able to witness an annular solar eclipse whereby the moon will obscure about 86% of the sun.  Those of us viewing this celestial event from Tucson will see it at its zenith at 6:40 PM. The event will end at 7:41 PM give or take a fraction of a second.

An annular solar eclipse is one where the moon appears slightly smaller than the sun. This happens when the moon is farther away from earth than during a total eclipse of the sun.

Diagram of an annular solar eclipse.

To see the total annular eclipse, you will have to be in the center of its path. Specifically, you will have to be standing on the roof of a houseboat on Lake Powell or on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Or you can wonder over to Albuquerque. The Navajos of Canyon De Chelly will have a particularly good view.

No matter where you view the eclipse from, do not look at the sun without eye protection. For more on eye safety go to the NASA website.

Here’s  more ideas for protecting your eyes: http://earthsky.org/

Tucson's Modern Streetcar Coming In Summer of 2012

Most Tucson locals know that portions of Congress Street downtown will be closed for the next several months in order to install track and other equipment for our new streetcar. What many don’t realize is that getting around the construction is easy and there is no reason to avoid our downtown restaurants and other points of interest, such as the Fox Theater.

Click here for the detour map on the 2nd Saturday website.

Second Saturday
Which reminds me, the next 2nd Saturday downtown food & entertainment is May 12th starting around 5:30 PM and partying until 10:30. These are family-friendly events and lots of good food and music. Most downtown restaurants are open during construction, including my favorites:  Maynard’s Market & Kitchen, Cup Cafe’, Janos Downtown Kitchen, and Hub Cafe’.

Downtown Tucson Modern Streetcar Route Map. From U of A Main Gate through 4th Avenue to Congress Street, then west under the freeway to the newly developing are along West Congress.

Peniocereus-Maculatus

Strange & Quirky
This one’s for all who love our unique desert plants. If you’ve never been to our Tucson Botanical Gardens annual Weird Plant Sale, you’re in for a delightful surprise.

Membership has its privileges. If you buy an annual membership ($50), you not only get free admission and discounts throughout the year, but first pick of the weirdos.

Members Sale:  Fri., May 4, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Public Sale:  Sat., May 5, 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Oddballs
Visit the Gardens’ quirky once-a-year sale devoted to oddball plants and strange pottery.

Browse the booths set up throughout the Gardens.  Specialty vendors will have their own crazy selections on-hand, with an opportunity to ask detailed questions about the fun and funky plants offered.

The Weird Sale focuses on rare, unusual or downright strange cacti and succulents.  A selection of offbeat, locally hand-made pottery is also featured.  Pick the perfect weird pot for your weird plant.

Refreshments will be on sale through the event. Admission to the Gardens is free during the Weird Plant Sale.

Can You Indentify This One?

Weird Plant Sale admission: free, includes Gardens admission

Garden hours: Garden hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Open seven days a week, year round, except July 4^th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Day.

About the Gardens
The Gardens, designated as America’s Best Secret Garden by Reader’s Digest, is an urban oasis in the heart of Tucson featuring a 5 ½ acre collection of 16 specialty gardens. It is located at 2150 N. Alvernon Way.

This coming Friday and Saturday evenings, March 30^th & 31^st, you and I can enjoy fine art, extraordinary wines,  and great food creations from some of Tucson’s best restaurants, including Acacia, Feast, Flemings, Janos, Tavoino.

This, of course, is CRUSH, the annual fundraiser for our Tucson Museum of Art, and it’s sure to be lot of fun again this year.

This Friday is the informal CRUSH pARTy from 6 to 9 PM in the courtyards of the Museum. It features at least 150 select wines and beers from around the world and food prepared by some of our best chefs. Tickets: $75 in advance, of which $45 is tax deductable.

In addition, all of us will be able to participate in the silent auction, which is always fun even if ours is not the winning bid.

Then, Saturday evening from 5:30 – 11:00 PM is the more formal CRUSH Gala at Loews Ventana Canyon resort featuring the best wines, gourmet dining, and dancing to the Ronstadt Cousins Band. The gala’s guest vintner will be Tuck Beckstoffer, proprietor of the Tuck Beckstoffer Wines – Napa Valley, California.

At the live auction, which is even more fun than the silent ones, we can bid on fine art, rare wines, and even trips to France and Costa Rica. Neighbor Roy just came back from 10 days in Costa Rica and told me that it is a fantastic destination, one of the best vacations he ever took – this from a retired gentleman who travels for pleasure overseas at least twice each year. Tickets: $225 per person.

I have another event Saturday that I must attend, but perhaps I’ll see you at Friday’s pARTy in the Museum’s courtyard.

Bike Fest, the celebration of all things bicycle in Southern Arizona starts in just over a week.

So far there are 13 events scheduled including the headline events: Cyclovia and Bike to Work Week.

You can check out the entire list on the Bike Fest website, but here are a few highlights:

Cyclovia Tucson: Sunday March 18, 10am-3pm

Cyclovia Tucson is the third annual car-free event that opens selected streets to people for nonmotorized activities. The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.

The route starts in downtown Tucson at Armory Park, then takes a 5-mile loop heading into South Tucson and back.

Check out the Cyclovia Tucson website to see what activities you’ll see along the route: www.cycloviatucson.org

Check out the images from last year’s Cyclovia at the bottom of the post.

Bikes and Tykes: Sunday March 25 at 11 a.m.

This event is a follow up to a biking with kids event we organized in the fall. This time around the Bikes and Tykes Expo will be held at Mercado San Agustin and will allow families to learn more about riding with kids.

Upcoming events

Looking for a finger snapping, foot stomping good time? Well …

The Rhythm and Roots Concert Series is upon us. Get your tickets now.

Where
Plaza Palomino Suite 147
2970 North Swan Road
Tucson, AZ 85712
Southeast corner of Swan & Ft. Lowell.

What & When

Friday, Feb. 17, 7:30pm
CARIBBEAN DANCE PARTY with Sticks N’ Fingers
Featuring Richard Noel
Suite 147 in Plaza Palomino
$15 advance, $18 door. $10 student ticket – current student ID required for each ticket – limit 1 per ID.

Just in time for Carnival season, Sticks and Fingers brings dynamic percussion and dance for a joyful Afro-Caribbean dance party. Founded by Richard Noel, from Trinidad, their music ranges from Calypso, Soca and Reggae to African Beat.

What & When

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2:00pm to 6:00pm
MUSIC IS MEDICINE – Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jonathan Holden

Donations greatly appreciated (at the door) to help defray costs.
Silent auction to include artwork, gift certificates, music and more.

Jonathan Holden, 12/29/51 – 1/17/12
If you’ve attended Tucson musical events over the past 15 years chances are you’ve experienced the passion of Jonathan Holden. Many people are feeling the loss of Jonathan, who was taken from us so suddenly on January 17, 2012. A long-time Tucsonan, he first came to town in 1970 to attend the University of Arizona and continued to make his musical mark in Tucson by helping launch community radio station KXCI. He proceeded on the path he loved as he formed the Rhythm & Roots Concert Series in the mid-nineties, which continues as his legacy.

What & When

Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30pm
Western Swing Dance with Carolyn Martin from Nashville and Way Out West
$15 advance, $18 door, $10 student ticket – current student ID required for each ticket – limit 1 per ID.

Born in Texas, Carolyn Martin grew up listening to Bob Wills and dreaming of singing in a Western Swing band.. Today she is a 2011 Texas Western Swing Hall Of Fame inductee and was named Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year in 2008 and 2010. Her CD, Swing, was nominated for the Western Music Association Western Swing Album of the Year. Carolyn’s latest project, Cookin’ With Carolyn, was nominated by the WMA as both the Western Swing Album of the Year and Outstanding Female Vocalist of the Year. She is joined by Arizona favorites Way Out West for an evening of boot scootin’ Western Swing.

I was just checking my events calendar on my Southern Arizona Guide website and realized that this coming weekend is going to be really busy.

• Saturday February 18: Oro Valley Classic Car Show, BBQ & Blues Fest. Oracle & Tangerine. 10AM to 3PM.
• Saturday & Sunday February 18 & 19: Southwest Indian Art Fair at the Arizona State Museum on UA Campus.
• Saturday February 18: The Rodeo starts and goes through Sunday the 26th.

Then the Rodeo Parade is Thursday, February 23. Take off work if you have to.

Depending upon your persuasion, it’s time to put on your cowboy boots or Indian moccasins, gather up the kids, and have a good time.

What did I forget? Doesn’t much matter. I’m sure Carolyn of Carolyn’s Community will let us all know. That woman does get around. jg

Did You Know?

Frida Kahlo: 1907 - 1954

Today, January 27^th 2012, begins a new exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Art entitled Frida Kahlo: Through The Lens of Nickolas Muray. Should be excellent. I’ll check it out next week and let you know.

Tomorrow, January 28^th begins the 2012 Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Show which runs through February 12^th. Watch out for traffic. It’ll be a zoo out there.

In two weeks, February 8th – 12^th, is the Tubac Festival of the Arts. I’ll be down there with my video camera and let you know what I find of interest.

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I get all kinds of emails, a lot of which I just scan and delete. But every once in a while I get one that’s worth passing on to you. This one came in the middle of the night from a friend who works in one of our local hospital emergency rooms.

A Life & Death Race Between A Burn Patient and The President of the United States

I was working in the ER this week, got called urgently into a room for a guy who suffered a propane explosion into his face. A structure fire had heated up a propane gas tank and this unfortunate fellow was only 5 or 6 feet from it when it went off. How he ended up not being blinded or having metal fragments into his brain, I have no idea.
>
> The moment you set eyes on the guy you can see that his burns are severe. Every piece of hair was singed off his face, he had severe throat pain and soot visible in his pharynx, and so it was pretty obvious right off that I would have to put him into a chemical coma and intubate him to protect his airway, since future swelling was inevitable. Once secured however, he had every reason to survive the incident.
>
> As there is no longer an inpatient  burn unit in Tucson, all serious burns now have to be flown to Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix. And so I called them and got acceptance on the transfer.
>
> But just a few minutes after this my charge nurse comes into the room and tells me that I cannot fly the patient to Phoenix because – and I am not making this up – the President is flying in on Air Force One and the FAA is suspending all inbound flights to Phoenix. And so I’m left with having to put the poor guy in a ground ambulance for two hours up the Interstate to get to the burn center.
>
> Then, as often happens, things turn on a dime, the nurse comes back and says: ‘we checked, and if you can get this guy intubated, packaged and on a helicopter within ~ 20 minutes then they can just squeeze in before the airspace closure’.
>
> That’s not a lot of time to get all that done.
>
> So we chemically paralyze the guy, put him in a coma, airway is difficult but I get the tube in first try. These are always perilous because you do not know beforehand when you paralyze the patient whether he is going to have severe vocal cord swelling or not, and once you get there you may actually find that you cannot get an airway in this person, and then they’re going to die unless you get a surgical airway cutting through the neck in the ensuing moments….
>
> It tends to focus one’s attention.
>
> Fortunately this did not go badly and the tube was successful. So, on the ventilator, airway secured, he’ll live another day, packaged and on the helicopter with five minutes to spare. As I hear the sound of the helicopter lifting off I think to myself:
>
> You know, it’s not every day you get to race – and beat – the President.
>