Bevelvision: High art for the whole family

The Mat Bevel Institute is the only bit of color you'll find on a nondescript stretch of road on North Stone Avenue, which leads into downtown. A barren enclosed yard fronts a sky-blue brick building with the word "Bevel" painted on its left corner. Except for the color there's really nothing much to the outside of the building.

Yet, the blah, humdrum exterior completely belies what you'll find inside. [Read article]

Today

Meet Liz Kennedy and Colleagues - Six UA professors of women's studies will discuss their book "Women's Studies for the Future: Foundations, Interrogations, Politics." Antigone Books. 411 N. Fourth Ave. 7 p.m. Free

Art Songs and Arias - UA Museum of Art. A soprano in the School of Music, Maureen Popovich, will perform a medley of "art songs" from the 15th century to modern times. And by art songs, we don't mean Art Garfunkle. Part of the Artbuzz series at the UA Museum of Art. 1031 N. Olive Road. 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m. Free [Read article]

A collection of views, gripes and nonsense

Random review

Britney Spears is auctioning off a bunch of the stuff she doesn't use anymore to benefit hurricane relief charities. Jewelry, furniture and several pairs of outdated sunglasses that are totally 2001 are included in the auction. However, the real prize is a jewel-encrusted bra that is currently going for $30,000. But I'm sure there's something of the more than 400 items that's more affordable. We all want a piece of Britney, and here's our chance. I give this charitable gesture an "A-", because nothing can beat Sean Penn going out with his boat in the streets of New Orleans. [Read article]

The life of the typical artist can be wrought with rejection, but Lulubell Toy Bodega owner Luke Rook is looking to ease the pain for those wannabe Picassos whose works fall a little bit outside of the mainstream.

"I don't take stuff that I know would do well in another gallery," Rook said. "If you can't get into a gallery, or you're just not being represented very well, bring (your work) in." [Read article]

Although we have quite some time until the St. Patrick's Day holiday arrives, it might not be too early to embrace your Irish roots. Celtic Woman, a collaboration of Irish singers and performers, is coming to Centennial Hall.

The show comprises four singers, a fiddler, a full choir and band.

The women perform traditional and classical Irish songs along with a few that have been written specifically for the show. [Read article]

There is absolutely no nice way to say what I'm about to say. Forgive me if I come across as insensitive, but Tucson has no soul. Apparently someone sold it to Starbucks around the same time as Park Place and La Encantada were coming into existence. I always believed that there was something special about Tucson, whether it was the laid-back attitude of the locals or just the "dry heat," but I'm beginning to doubt that this town was ever more than a cactus-ridden dust heap. [Read article]

If there has ever been reason to crawl, it's now. That's right, the annual Fall Crawl (the fall companion to the wildly popular Club Crawl) is back and better than ever. With the Rialto Theatre back in business, local clubs/music stages aplenty downtown, and numerous national and local musicians participating, attendees can expect one hell of a Crawl this year. Plus, with alcohol being served and (gasp) able to be taken outside of the venues, some attendees can very well expect to be crawling by the end. [Read article]

As an added bonus, here are our recommendations for this year's Fall Crawl. Because of the abundance of stages and bands to chose from, there will be some overlap, but that is why we are here to steer you in the right direction.

AVA Stage

10 p.m. - The Deludes will rock your socks off and you probably won't even want them back. This is one of Tucson's finest pop-rock-garage bands. They can churn out a great, catchy rock tune like nobody's business. Have fun playing spot the local musicians' at their set. [Read article]

Right now, it looks like the Blues Brothers don't have much of a reason to sing the blues. For a band that started off on a TV show, this outfit has an extremely impressive repertoire.

These guys have played with all the gods of soul music and rock 'n' roll. Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, The Grateful Dead, Ray Charles, Elton John and countless other megastars have had the privilege of working with them. Not to mention many of the old '80s "Saturday Night Live" cast members. [Read article]

RATING: 6 out of 10

It sounded hilarious.

From the same minds that infused the brilliant summer-camp parody "Wet Hot American Summer" with so many distinct laughs, comes the romantic comedy "The Baxter."

Alumni of "The State" and current members of comedy group "Stella" provide most of the firepower, with Michael Showalter serving as writer, director and star.

The way "Wet Hot American Summer" took on the clichéd camp movie looked like what was going to happen to romantic comedies with "The Baxter." [Read article]

Oh no, he didn't. Oh, you damn right I did. Yes, modern lingo aside, I think the world of Wolf Parade's debut album Apologies to the Queen Mary, and with a little reassuring, hopefully you will too.

Many critics have been falling over themselves to try and encapsulate this album's greatness. There appears to be a checklist that a reviewer must follow when talking about it: 1) Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse frontman), responsible for getting Wolf Parade signed to Subpop, produced much of this album. Check. 2) These fellows come from a currently hot Montreal music scene (Broken Social Scene, Stars). Check. 3) The members of Wolf Parade are good friends - and occasionally musical partners - with Canada's arguably hottest indie act (duh: Arcade Fire). Checkmate. [Read article]

Conan to host world's most self-righteous singer

Tonight, the show "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" (quite frankly, one of the best things on during the twilight hours, ranked right up there with "Blind Date" and reruns of "MASH") will host the rock group U2 as its sole guest for the night.

The band will perform three songs and undergo an interview by the world's funniest 6-foot-3 redhead. Here's hoping Conan will whip out his overpoweringly sexy string-bikini dance for the Edge. [Read article]