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.