Staff Reports
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 12, 1998

Arts Calender

Thursday, March 12

Where else can you find a Buddhist nun who moonlights as a Japanese concubine, a pope named Joan, and a Victorian adventurer, all in one play? The Damesrocket Theater Company presents "Top Girls" at the all new, renovated Damesrocket Theater (formerly "a.k.a. Theatre") at 125 E. Congress. The play, set in Thatcher-era London, chronicles the trials in the career path (via time warps and perspectives) in the life of Marlene, an employment agency director. Tickets are $10; $8 for students, seniors, and artists. The show previews tonight and runs through March 28. Phone 623-7852.

The Tucson Symphony Orchestra presents "Vive Le France," a BYOC (Bring your own croissants) event, at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. at 8 p.m. Phone 882-8585.

Jam to the Tucson Jazz Society youth big band, JazzWerx and UA Combos at Crowder Hall at 8 p.m. Phone 621-1162. Free.

Tricky Luz, an acoustic rock band, accompanies your java break today at Cafe Paraiso 802 E. University Blvd. No cover, just great music and coffee - start your spring break off right. Phone 624-1707.

Friday, March 13

Songwriter Iris DeMent is also a singer and she'll prove it at Crowder Hall at 8 p.m. DeMent started out in a Kansas City church choir at 16 and now writes and performs her own songs that range from heartfelt to political. Reserved tickets only, $14/$12, available at Hear's Music and Antigone Books. Phone 327-4809.

Glen Rose performs the songs of the Gershwin Brothers tonight at Berger Performing Arts Center. This show, featuring "Rhapsody in Blue" and others, is chock full of song, piano and storytelling - something for everyone. It must be one fine show since it sold out the Kerr in Phoenix last year. Be at 1200 W. Speedway, 7 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance, available at Hear's; $12 at the door. Phone 795-4494.

Experience the next best thing to one of the greatest jazz legends of all time. "Forever Ella," a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, will take place at Centennial Hall at 8 p.m. Tickets are $33/$26/$21; 15 percent discount for faculty, staff; half-price for under 18 and students with ID. Phone 621-3341 (day), 800-683-4253 (eves).

Touted as "one of the most creative foursomes ever to take stage," NRBQ entertains with a musical style that is a combo of rock, blues, jazz , country, rootsrock, and folk they like to call "omni-pop." They will also dazzle you with humor, zany antics and audience interaction. It all happens at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Phone 795-1420.

A Tucson Pop Festival was in the works for this weekend, but due to the closure of the Airport Lounge and a number of cancellations, the "Popfest" has been sadly reduced to two shows, both at Press 101, both all-ages; tomorrow night is Hobart, Le Duo, Wise Folk Malcontent, and the Cassadines; Sunday night, also at Press 101, are local bands How to Build a Rocketship, Gradevole, The Topset, P.E.E., from San Francisco, and Track Star, a tight indie-rock outfit also from San Fran on Sup Pop affiliate Die Young Stay Pretty. Friday: $4, 8:30 p.m.; Sunday: $5, 7 p.m. Press 101 is at 101 W. Fifth Street.

Saturday, March 14

Swinging Saturday Night at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress presents England's No. 1 swing band, The Big 6, with The Kings of Pleasure. All ages, bar w/ID. Phone 795-1420.

For the latest in contemporary bluegrass, acoustic country and folk music, with a twist of Latin and swing, check out the Kathy Kallick Band at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. Kids' Show at 3 p.m., concert at 8 p.m.. Tickets are $5 for kids, $12 for adults in advance and available at Hear's Music, Toy Traders, Antigone Books, and Mrs. Tiggle Winkle's Children's Books. If nothing else, do it for Mrs. Tiggle Winkle. Phone 623-1000.

Wednesday, March 17

Join the Irish American Gaelic Society for the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival in Armory Park, 12-6 p.m. Phone 792-9985

Club Congress celebrates "un-St. Patrick's Day" with Ozomatli, a 14-piece euphony of congos, timbales, saxophones and trumpets, and the Kottonmouth Kings, whose music is featured in the movie "Scream 2." Admission is $5. Phone 622-8848.

Friday, March 20

The 28th Annual Spring Street Fair on Fourth Avenue (which incidentally draws over 300,000 visitors each year) will commence today and last throughout the weekend. This is one deal you cannot miss: over 400 vendors sporting an array of paintings, arts, crafts, gifts, etc. Not to mention 15 stages of live music and plenty of beer. Also, for the spirituality fans there will be a "Metaphysical Area" selling products for the body and soul. Finally, to top off your spring break, "Flam Chen Flame Throwing" a French flame-throwing group will give one HOT performance. Admission to the fair is FREE. Phone 624-5004.

Saturday, March 21

Continuing the festivities at the Street Fair, The Specials, the forefathers of ska, will perform on the KFMA stage at 8 tonight with guests Soulcracker, and the Weird Lovemakers. Tickets for the show are $10, available now at CD Depot, Sound Addict and Big Brother Tattoo. Phone 624-5004.

Remember "Puff the Magic Dragon"? Peter, Paul and Mary will reacquaint you with Puff, and a bunch of other songs they wrote as well. The nostalgia can be found at Centennial Hall at 8 p.m. Tickets $32.50 and $26.50, available at Dillard's and the Centennial Hall box offices.

Big Band Dance Night is the theme for Downtown Saturday Night. Experience the essence of the '40s with Andy Chears and His Big Band plus dance demonstrations by Sunrise Dance Studios. This event is co-sponsored by KFAZ Radio and the Tucson Federation of Musicians. The fun is at the Ronstadt Transit Center on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Congress Street. Phone 624-9977.