By Reena Dutt
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 9, 1997

Double Your Pleasure With The Doublewide Showroom

Dan Hoffman Arizona Daily Wildcat The Screening Room (127 E. Congress St.), will be holding the fall premiere of The Doublewide Showroom at 7:30 p.m.

The Doublewide Showroom, a monthly event at the Screening Room (127 E. Congress), will be holding its first performance of the semester tonight at 7:30. Hosting the event are The Tucson Poet and the Tucson Arts District Partnership.

The Doublewide Showroom aims to explore artistic expression through music, film and art performances and exhibitions. Its first show was over the summer, so, following the break, the coordinators are bringing in a new group of artists to share their work with the public.

Historically speaking, the idea of performance art has evolved, grown and merged with several different traditions in Tucson's art community. A year ago, poetry readings were almost nonexistent, but over time they have become a part of the artist community. Now, bands, filmmakers and poets have collaborated to create a new type of performance.

"Must See Tucson" has become the theme for this new concept of the arts. Scott Stanley, one of the coordinators for the once-a-month event, describes the function as something to drag people away from their television sets, allowing the performance "to do the surfing for you."

He says that the audience will never know what's going to happen next, especially since so many things have been planned.

The poets who are regularly involved in readings around town have been designated time to perform their works at the Doublewide Showroom, alongside several local bands, including Womb, an all-female group.

Poets who will be performing include the Arizona Daily Wildcat's own Tom Collins, as well as S. K. Smith, another local artist.

Most of the films being presented are local, independent and original projects, some from the University of Arizona. A couple of films were not approved by the University for a public viewing, so they are finally getting their chance to be seen at the Doublewide Showroom.

Admission is only $2, and it's good to know that the proceeds are going toward other local arts events, such as the upcoming Everywhere Reading Series, which will take place in locations ranging from supermarkets and Laundromats to the University of Arizona campus. Unlike the Doublewide Showroom, these performances will be spontaneous and non-publicized events.