Upcoming Events

With Special Guest: Fairy Bones Voted Best Rock Band in Tucson 2021 by the Tucson Weekly, Birds and Arrows bring their 6th studio album to life on the Hotel Congress Stage. Loaded with top-notch collaborations, this collection of songs will melt your mind, move your body, and put a little electricity in them bones. Birds and Arrows, Andrea and Pete Connolly, formed in Chapel Hill, NC in 2007. After 4 studio albums and a cross-country tour, the duo fell in love with Tucson. Their move to the desert turned out to be a radical change in vision and attitude. The desert has given them the space and freedom to finally shed the “honeymoon sweetness” of their past. Their latest album, Electric Bones, features a full 4 piece band. Andrea Connolly leads on vocals, rhythm guitar, and synth soundscapes with Pete Connolly on drums and vocals. It also includes collaborations with Ben Nisbet on lead guitar and Gabriel Sullivan on bass. “Andrea and Pete Connolly of Birds and Arrows have been making music together for more than 15 years, and this familiarity and cohesion certainly shows. Their sound and art direction make them seem much larger than a duo, churning out rock music that can jump from personal ballads to massive jams that threaten to swallow the performers up. Contemplative and a little psychedelic, just like the desert itself.” — Tucson Weekly “The honeymoon sweetness of their earlier work has been replaced with a maturity and depth appropriate for musicians whose lives and work are gaining seriousness and acclaim.” — Frank Stasio, NPR Fairy Bones is the drama you’re missing in your life. Phoenix-based, alternative pop/rock act—named “Best Local Band” by Phoenix New Times—is led by the “unapologetic spirit” (NPR) of singer/songwriter Chelsey Louise, whose powerhouse vocals Java Magazine hailed as “a goddamned sonic spectrum of wonder.” The band has spent years lighting up stages as support for Mother Mother, Marcy Playground, Fuel, KONGOS, The Darts (U.S.), Rozwell Kid, Starcrawler, Vundabar, Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas, and on tour with acts like Highly Suspect. The bands debut album—0% Fun (2018)—was a media-darling, praised by Alternative Press, NPR, Arizona Republic, Paste, and Impose who called it “unsettling, beautiful, and powerful all at once.” The singles—including fan-favorites No One Can Suffer Like I Can, 8 Ball, Hang Wit Da Boiz, and Killing Me—landed airtime on KWSS 93.9, ALT AZ 93.3, 98KUPD, NPR, and Sirius XM. 

Arizona Arts Live, Hotel Congress, and Best Life Presents are proud to announce the return of HOCO Fest this Labor Day weekend in Downtown Tucson. From its groundbreaking sustainability model to its international programming, HOCO Fest 2022 authentically represents Tucson while welcoming the world to our doorstep. For over 15 years, HOCO has led the charge in reframing what the modern music festival can achieve. This year is no different. Featuring some of the world’s freshest acts, HOCO Fest takes place September 1-4, 2022, with the likes of Warpaint, Mdou Moctar, Armand Hammer, Fucked Up, Huerco S, MICHELLE, Helado Negro, Kid Congo Powers, La Goony Chonga, and Grammy-award winning songwriter, Arooj Aftab, among many others. This four-day festival will also feature a Sonoran Desert Sustainability Summit, daytime pool parties, art installations, demonstrations, and food and drink offerings celebrating the UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Visit hocofest.com for the full lineup.

Country music star Phil Vassar will perform on the University of Arizona Mall in a pre-game concert prior to Arizona Football’s home opener against Mississippi State on September 10, 2022. Vassar will be joined this year by a local opening act (artist to be announced at a later date) as well as a performance from the University of Arizona Arts department. Arizona Athletics, in conjunction with Arizona Arts, is excited to present Vassar at the home opener for the second year in a row. Vassar will be joined by a local opening act (artist TBD) and student performers from the College of Fine Arts. Phil Vassar makes his return after performing prior to last year’s home opener vs. San Diego State. Vassar will perform from his catalogue of signature songs that features 10 number one singles and 26 top-40 hits, including “Carlene”, “Just Another Day in Paradise”, “Sick-Pack Summer” and “When I Love You” among others. The two-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and Top New Male Vocalist award-winner will take the stage as part of the “Community Day” promotions on game day. Arizona Football’s home opener vs. Mississippi State on Sept. 10 begins at 8 p.m. Tickets start as low as $11 and can be purchased here. Season Tickets and Flex Plans are on sale as well for Arizona’s seven-game home schedule. Link Facebook Instagram Twitter

Que Viva! Grammy-nominated icon Lupita Infante joins Latin Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de Mexico in the Tucson borderland for one night of chart-topping mariachi music. Only on the Hotel Congress stage. Fresh off their PBS appearance as part of Spirit of the Season which saw Mariachi Herencia de México perform alongside Camila Cabello on December 21st, Mariachi Herencia de México announce their newest project Cuando México Canta featuring Lupita Infante. Cuando México Canta features the Latin Grammy-nominated group of young Mexican-American musicians, recognized as the new ambassadors of the mariachi tradition, performing a vibrant tribute to the golden age of Mexican music. Joined by multi-Grammy nominated star Lupita Infante, granddaughter of Mexican icon Pedro Infante, Mariachi Herencia de México and Infante honor the legacy they inherited with a colorful and unforgettable experience of Mexican music and culture. Mariachi Herencia De Mexico – Cucurrucucú Paloma Lupita Infante – Hazme Tuya Link Facebook Instagram Twitter

Afro-Cuban Rockstar Cimafunk is redefining contemporary Cuban music, Afro-Latin identity, and black culture. Considered one of today’s greatest showmen, he performs an electric live show with his 9-person band from Havana. Join Arizona Arts Live, Best Life Presents, and Hotel Congress for an evening that will make you move! Cimafunk’s monumental second album El Alimento released in October 2021, receiving overwhelming praise for celebrating black music’s power. Co-produced by Grammy-award winning producer Jack Splash (CeeLo Green, Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys), the album features hip-hop stars Lupe Fiasco, CeeLo Green, and AfroCuban jazz icon Chucho Valdés among others. El Alimento ranked #3 of the Best Spanish-Language and Bilingual Albums of 2021 and #23 of the 50 Best Albums of 2021. It also ranked among NPR’s Best Latin Music of 2021 and #1 of Le Monde’s Latin Music favorites. Singles also made their way through 2021 lists: “Rómpelo” was among NPR Alt. Latino’s best singles of 2021 and “Funk Aspirin” in Remezcla’s 10 Best Indie Pop, Rock, & Chill Songs of 2021. Recorded in 2020, El Alimento served as an alimento–or motivation–for the soul to persevere through the pandemic. Cimafunk spent countless hours studying decades of musical influences to help understand himself musically and culturally. As collaborator and innovator George Clinton (Parliament-Funkadelic) says: “Cimafunk takes it back there while keeping it in the now. It’s what we do, always reinventing the Funk to keep it fresh.” In addition to being named a “Top 10 Latin Artist to watch” by Billboard, Cimafunk stole the show at the 2019 South by Southwest Music Festival. Prior to the pandemic, his moving performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series was chosen as one of the overall best TDC’s of 2020. These coincided with Cimafunk’s inaugural Getting Funky in Havana festival, where he joined forces with Trombone Shorty, Tank & The Bangas and The Soul Rebels to celebrate the New Orleans – Cuba cultural connection and blackness. 

You’re invited to experience a playful and interactive installation that will warm hearts of all ages. Impulse will be available to students, faculty, staff, and the public on the UA Mall at the University of Arizona’s main campus in Tucson, AZ. Impulse is an installation where audiences become musicians and artists. Using repetitive units of light and sound, the University of Arizona campus is transformed into a space of urban play through a series of interactive, illuminated see‐saws.  When not in use, the seesaws will stabilize to the horizontal and remain at a lower glowing level. When activated by users and inclined, the seesaws, augmented by LED lights and speakers, will increase in light intensity and emit a randomized sound sequence. “Impulse” is part of the Arizona Arts Signature Series, a curated set of events and experiences this fall designed to highlight the amazing work being done across the division. Montreal Gazette – Impulse at Place des Spectacles Link Facebook Instagram Twitter

A monumental piece of art history returns to its rightful home at the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Save your front row seat at a free screening of “The Thief Collector.” Willem de Kooning’s “Woman-Ochre” is one of the most valuable paintings of the 20th century. In 1985, it vanished into the Arizona desert after being cut from its frame. Three decades later, the missing painting was found hanging in the home of Jerry and Rita Alter in rural New Mexico. “The Thief Collector” takes a deep look at how a mild-mannered couple allegedly pulled off one of the greatest art heists of a generation. Explore the complicated dynamics of family and just how far people will go to weave their own grandiose narratives. Join us for a free, ticketed screening in Centennial Hall. The University of Arizona Museum of Art presents “Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre” with a public opening on Oct. 8, 2022. The exhibition documents the incredible journey of Woman-Ochre, guiding visitors through the circumstances of its creation, acquisition by UAMA, theft, and miraculous recovery. It concludes by detailing the painstaking restoration work done by conservation experts at The Getty Center. “The Thief Collector” Filmmaker Discussion at the Wonder House SXSW22 Link Instagram

Young audiences will delight as regional music and dance from Mexico weave a tale of wonder, magic, and tradition. Sugar Skull! welcomes you to this family-friendly bicultural, bilingual musical just in time for Dia De Los Muertos. Only at Centennial Hall. Sugar Skull! tells the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores who thinks her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones. Why throw a party for the dead? But when a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, Vita finds herself on a magical, musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos. With her skeletal new friend, Sugar Skull, Vita dances with ancient ancestors and sings with a sorrowful sorceress. She escapes the trickster Chaneques and even meets the famous Catrina Calavera. But can this clever youth gather the missing pieces needed for her family ofrenda before it’s too late? Join us for a joyous, heartfelt adventure that delves into the rich, tuneful traditions of Día de Muertos. Featuring a company of gifted musicians and dancers, this colorful stage production is the perfect fall entertainment for youth and family audiences alike. Mexico Beyond Mariachi – Sugar Skull! A Dia de los Muertos Musical Adventure Link Facebook Instagram YouTube

Twenty-one singers transform a sweeping acapella Renaissance masterpiece into an emotionally powerful performance in Centennial Hall. Set to the work of Italian poet Luigi Tansillo, Los Angeles Master Chorale shows us that by facing our past head-on, we can forge a more fulfilling future. Lagrime di San Pietro (Tears of St. Peter) depicts the seven stages of grief Saint Peter experienced after disavowing his knowledge of Jesus Christ on the day of his arrest. Tansillo’s poem unfolds as a highly wrought, emotional sequence of self-accusation and remorse for what cannot be undone, as the elderly Peter attempts to come to terms with his anguish. The Los Angeles Master Chorale is the country’s largest professional chorus and one of Southern California’s most vibrant cultural treasures. Hailed for its powerful performances, technical precision, and artistic daring, the Master Chorale performs choral music from the earliest writings to contemporary compositions, striking a balance between innovation and tradition. It is a founding resident company of The Music Center and the choir-in-residence at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Lagrime di San Pietro (Tears of St. Peter) Link Facebook Instagram Twitter

An unforgettable journey of the senses awaits you in Marroney Theatre. Discover the power of sound to bend time, cross borders, and profoundly shape our perception of the world around us with 32 Sounds. The film weaves 32 specific audio recordings into a cinematic meditation on the power of sound. The performance begins with each audience member receiving a set of headphones. Guests settle into their seats as film projects onto the screen. Music icon JD Samson together with Michael O’Neill then compose the film live while Oscar-nominated director Sam Green narrates. Don’t miss this intimate and deeply immersive experience! 32 Sounds was commissioned by Stanford Live, Stanford University; The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi; Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Institute of Technology; Green Music Center of Sonoma State University; Arizona Arts Live at The University of Arizona. It was developed through a creative residency at MASS MoCA, North Adams, Massachusetts. “32 Sounds” is part of the Arizona Arts Signature Series, a curated set of events and experiences this fall designed to highlight the amazing work being done across the division. 32 Sounds Link Link

Eighteen dancers grace the stage with poise, precision, and power as we welcome the iconic Dance Theatre of Harlem to Centennial Hall. A singular presence in the ballet world, they are setting a new vision for dance in the 21st century. The Company continues its world tour with a stop in the Old Pueblo. Led by resident choreographer Robert Garland, this multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics and neoclassical works by George Balanchine. Through performances, community engagement, and arts education, the Company carries forward Dance Theatre of Harlem’s message of empowerment through the arts for all. Dance Theatre of Harlem was founded in 1969 at the height of the civil rights movement by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook. The company has grown to have a lasting impact on the American ballet scene and become a beacon for black dancers worldwide. It’s been a pioneer in the dance world, integrating stages and spreading the art of ballet through massive outreach programs at home and abroad. Dance Theatre of Harlem – Dancing Through Harlem

Two-time Oscar nominee and six-time Grammy-winner Terence Blanchard returns for a powerful performance at The Rialto Theatre. Don’t miss the artistic force from one of the world’s greatest trumpeters and composers. Presented together with the Tucson Jazz Festival.  From his expansive work composing scores for Spike Lee films ranging from the documentary When the Levees Broke to the epic Malcolm X, and the latest Lee film, Da 5 Bloods, Terence Blanchard has interwoven melodies that created strong backdrops to human stories. He received an Oscar nomination and Grammy award for Best Instrumental Composition for Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman (2018). He also received Oscar and British Academy Film Award nominations for his original music for Lee’s Da 5 Bloods (2020).  More recently, Blanchard has composed his second opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones, based on the memoir of celebrated writer and The New York Times columnist Charles Blow. The Metropolitan Opera premiered a revived version of Fire Shut Up in My Bones in September 2021 to open their 2021-22 season in New York, making it the first opera composed by an African American composer to premiere at the Met. Breathless: Terence Blanchard featuring the E-Collective Link Facebook Instagram Twitter

Four music masters come together in a special bluegrass collaboration on stage at The Rialto Theatre. Join Bush/Marshall/Meyer/Meyer for a celebration of American roots music in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Father of the American newgrass music scene Sam Bush (mandolin/violin) joins music icons Mike Marshall (mandolin) and Edgar Meyer (bass) together with George Meyer (violin) for a special collaboration usually only heard on a late summer night on the bluegrass festival circuit. Expect to hear works from the 1999 genre-bending album Short Trip Home as well as new music written specifically for this tour. Witness the next generation of artists expressing their unique voices and perspective as Edgar Meyer’s son George charts his own course in the musical world. Bluegrass, newgrass, and classical all meet in a stunning show of Americana that will leave you wishing for more. Don’t miss Bush/Marshall/Meyer/Meyer! Bottesini: Concerto for Double Bass No. 2 in B Minor Link Link Link Link

Joined by the bold and expressive singer Magos Herrera, Brooklyn Rider celebrates the power of beauty as a political act. Discover a new world of classical music as tradition meets invention on the Centennial Hall stage. Born in Mexico City, Magos Herrera is a dazzling jazz singer-songwriter, producer, and educator. She is best known for her bold style and eloquent vocal improvisation in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Magos joins Brooklyn Rider to take you on a musical journey that explores the artistry of Violeta Parra, Federico Garcia Lorca, Gilberto Gil, Joao Gilberto, Octavio Paz, and others who dared to dream under repressive regimes. Experience a gripping performance from Grammy-nominated artists who have transcended brutality through their work, work which represents love for humanity, democracy, and the inspiration to dream. Featuring evocative arrangements by Jaques Morelenbaum, Diego Schissi, Gonzalo Grau, Guillermo Klein, and Colin Jacobsen, we invite you to dream with us. Magos Herrera and Brooklyn Rider: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert Link Facebook Instagram Twitter

Unorthodox and intellectual with a wry sense of humor, voracious reader Fran Lebowitz brings New York to The Rialto Theatre. Don’t miss an evening of humor and unapologetic cultural satire by this style icon. In a cultural landscape filled with endless pundits and talking heads, Fran Lebowitz stands out as one of our most insightful social commentators. Her essays and interviews offer her sharp views on current events and the media – as well as pet peeves including tourists, baggage-claim areas, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan. A close friend to Martin Scorcese, Fran Lebowitz is featured in multiple documentaries, television dramas, and films, including Law & Order, The Wolf of Wall Street, Public Speaking, and the Emmy-nominated Netflix series Pretend It’s a City. She has long been a regular on various talk shows including those hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien, and Bill Maher. Lebowitz is the 2021 Foreign Press Honorary Awardee – an award given by the Foreign Press Correspondents Association & Club USA. Martin Scorsese Presents | Pretend It’s A City | Official Trailer | Netflix Link Facebook

Umbrellas fly, fabrics soar over the audience, balloons swallow people, and snow swirls on the Centennial Hall stage this spring. With stunning images and gales of laughter, Air Play bounces on the edge of definition: part comedy, part sculpture, part circus, part theater. A circus-style adventure of two siblings journeying through a surreal land of air, Air Play transforms ordinary objects into uncommon beauty.  Created by circus performers Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone in collaboration with kinetic sculptor Daniel Wurtzel, this performance was devised through years of experimentation with simple materials, movement, and technology.  Join us for a visual poem great for all ages that uses no words to bring to life the very air we breathe. No translation necessary, this experience has played from the southernmost opera house in the world in Chile to London’s Royal Festival Hall, Melbourne’s State Theatre, and Shanghai’s Grand Theatre, and continues to tour. Acrobuffos present: Air Play Link Facebook Instagram Twitter

Sometime in the near future, humanity has failed to adapt to the new ecological reality. Watch the end of the world as we know it unfolds before your eyes on the Tornabene Theatre stage with Dimanche. In a small building, a family is about to spend their Sunday together. But the walls are shaking, strong winds and torrential rain rage outside, and the storm has only just begun. Amidst this chaos, they absurdly attempt to maintain a normal family life. Meanwhile, three traveling wildlife reporters are doing their best to document Earth’s last living species. Between dreamlike fiction and factual reality, Dimanche paints a tender portrait of humanity. Using lo-fi FX, miniature vehicles, puppetry, video, and mime, Dimanche observes the ingenuity and stubbornness of humans as they try to preserve their day-to-day habits, going to extremes to keep up a sense of normalcy despite the chaos. Teaser Dimanche – Chaliwaté & Focus Link Facebook Instagram Twitter