Wednesday, December 18

Arts & Entertainment

Five great albums snubbed at the Grammys
Arts & Entertainment, Opinion

Five great albums snubbed at the Grammys

By KYLE KERSEY February’s no fun. Football season is over. Arizona has yet to reach peak surfing weather. There isn’t much new music. Oh, and the Grammys happened. That’s bad, too.  1. Pusha T – “Daytona” (Hip-hop) Boomers will deride it as everything that’s wrong with hip-hop culture. I’ll praise it as a pugnacious poem to sinning that’s no different than the excess of ’80s hair metal except it’s actually good.  Pusha’s latest record isn’t going to blow anyone away with an ambitious concept or deep themes. It’s as straightforward as it gets.  “Hello,” he says. “My name is Pusha T.  I deal drugs and hate Drake.  Here’s some songs about me dealing drugs and hating Drake.” Simple, yet effective. Kanye provides some of his grittiest production to date to back the pugnacious Pusha T. It’...
5 great albums you probably missed from 2018
Arts & Entertainment, Opinion

5 great albums you probably missed from 2018

By KYLE KERSEY Car Seat Headrest – “Twin Fantasy” Will Toledo’s reimagined masterwork on romantic teenage angst is stunning in its sheer scope. To think that Toledo crafted this hour-long indie-rock behemoth at only 19 is absurd, let alone that he had this vision all along – simply without the tools to make it a reality. Seven years after its original run, Toledo, now 25, has finally done it properly. At times overwhelmingly dense – as is the case of 10-minute-long tracks like “Beach Life-In-Death” and “High to Death” – and at times short and sweet – as is the case of “Stop Smoking (We Love You)” – Twin Fantasy is exciting and then it’s funny and then it’s breathtaking and then it’s heartbreaking – sometimes all at the same time – and then it’s over. Just like a failed relationship. A...
Arts & Entertainment

Mother-daughter duo take center stage in ‘Mamma Mia!’

By AMARIS ENCINAS Originally written by Catherine Johnson and recreated as a light-hearted and romantic work, “Mamma Mia!” will be presented by Pima Theatre. The shows will begin Feb. 21 and run through March 3. American Sign Language interpreters will be at the Feb. 28 show.  Musical numbers will include “The familiar ABBA songs including ‘Dancing Queen,’ ‘The Winner Takes It All,’ ‘SOS, ‘Knowing Me Knowing You,’ ‘Take A Chance On Me,’ ‘I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do,’ ‘The Name Of The Game,’ ‘Money Money Money,’ ‘Super Trouper’ And ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’; explosive dance numbers, live music and talented cast” (according to the press release).  Director Todd Poelstra described the show.   “It is two hours of non-stop fun,” he said. “(It’s) music almost everyone has grown up with. “What you ...
Bernal Gallery illustrates life on and beyond the border
Arts & Entertainment, Bernal Gallery, Pima Arts, Pima News

Bernal Gallery illustrates life on and beyond the border

BY PARKER BROCK  The Pima Community College Bernal Gallery is presenting SEPARADOS POR FRONTERA - SEPARATED BY BORDERS, an art gallery featuring works from Sonoran artists. The Bernal gallery is located at PCC West Campus and will displaying the exhibit from February fourth through March eighth. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Friday from, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. On display are works from artists Francisco Larios Osuna, Miriam Salado, Carlos Iván Hernández and Nahatan Navarro, all of which have their work tied to the the state of Sonora. “They all have origin from Hermosillo, Mexico, one was born in wiamus, one was born, Carlos was born in Mexico city. They all went to school at the university of hermacio and now they're dispersing.” said David Andres, d...
Pima students join local theater for shows
Arts & Entertainment

Pima students join local theater for shows

By AMARIS ENCINAS Live Theatre Workshop is a local theater organization nestled in the heart of Tucson and comes bearing gifts to the community. Live Theatre Workshop offers five programs: ETCETERA, The Family Theatre program, The Mainstage, LTW’s late-night program and Onstage Education program. The Mainstage produces nine shows each season, while ETCETERA and LTW’S late-night program puts on six shows each season.  The Onstage Education program offers four 10-week terms and summer camps.  The program covers theater, musical theater, acting and technical classes starting from ages 6 and up.  The Family Theatre program does five original musical performances each season for families, schools and community organizations.  Performances on the LTW stage for schools and various organiz...
Auditions for ‘Mamma Mia!’
Arts & Entertainment

Auditions for ‘Mamma Mia!’

By ERIK MEDINA “Mamma Mia!” is a musical about a mother, a daughter, three possible dads and a trip down the aisle.  Pima Community College Center for the Arts will perform “Mamma Mia!” in the Proscenium Theatre in the spring, with tickets already on sale. The cast still needs to be determined, however. The Center for the Arts will hold auditions for the musical at 6 p.m. on Nov. 26, 27 and 28 at West Campus.      All Pima students are encouraged to audition. You must be a registered student and be present at all three auditions to be considered for a part. “I am hoping that they can be the best that they can be,” said Mickey Nugent, choreographer of “Mamma Mia!”, about what he expects from students. “I want them to be well prepared and look as confident and professional as possible.”...
All that jazz
Arts & Entertainment

All that jazz

By ERIK MEDINA Under the direction of Mike Kuhn and presented by Pima Community College Music, the Jazz Ensemble concert will spotlight a variety of styles in an upcoming performance. Featured pieces will include “The Heat’s On” by Sammy Nestico and the Quincy Jones arrangement of “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”  Trombonist Roger Wallace will arrange an original piece for the band called “Double-Wide Boogie” along with arranging “Too Close For Comfort” for vocalist Tom Galarneau, who also sings “Straighten Up And Fly Right.”  Kuhn also will perform two original small group compositions, “Love And War,” which is dedicated to his wife, Anna, and the Dexter Gordon-inspired “Internal Affairs.” For more information, call the box office at 206-6986 or go to www.pima.edu/cfa. Box office hours: N...
‘Sustained Visions’ features 5 artists
Arts & Entertainment, Bernal Gallery, Pima Arts, Pima News

‘Sustained Visions’ features 5 artists

By AMARIS ENCINAS The Bernal Gallery chronicles the lives and works of: Fred Borcherdt, Bailey Doogan, Tom Philabaum, Barbara Rogers and Jim Waid in the new exhibit “Sustained Visions.” All five artists have taught at the college level while holding fast to their concepts and quality of craftsmanship. according to Andres. Sustained Visions was created behind the idea that Tucson and Southern Arizona have many successful artists that have an independent an independent vision, but few have sustained their conversion over the decades,” Andres said. Jim Waid taught painting at Pima Community College at West Campus in the 70’s and 80’s before the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City collected his work. Tom Philabaum founded the Sonoran Glass School and Pima students can take cla...
‘Tartuffe’: Love, lies and a pious disguise
Arts & Entertainment

‘Tartuffe’: Love, lies and a pious disguise

BY PARKER BROCK Pima Community College Theatre will present “Tartuffe,” a classic tale with romance and sardonic humor. The production, which will run Nov. 8-18, is directed by Pima’s new theater arts faculty, Chris Will. “Tartuffe” presents the tale set during the life of King Louis XVI with a modern message. The story is set in the home of the wealthy Orgon, where Tartuffe — a fraud and a pious imposter — has infiltrated the Orgon estate. He wins Orgon’s favor, then attempts to marry his daughter, seduce his wife and steal the deed to the property. “This production is different from others because its a classical story told in a modern way,” Will said. “What's great is the topics that were written hundreds of years ago still have relevance today.” The message of “Tartuffe” is ...
Wind Ensemble will blow you away
Arts & Entertainment

Wind Ensemble will blow you away

By ERIK MEDINA Pima Community College Music presents the Wind Ensemble, performing their first concert of the season and under the direction of Dr. Mark Nelson. The concert features selections with only single movement compositions. The newly formed woodwind ensemble class make s its first appearance at this concert. The program includes a medley of tunes from “The Incredibles” movie, “Symphonic Sketch” by Charles Carder, “Zeus” by Rob Romyn, “The Dam Busters” march by Eric Coates, “Rag-Time Dance” by Scott Joplin, and “Australian Up-Country Tune” by Percy Grainger.