Inspired by the Audioramas of Mexico City, our Cuk Ṣon Audiorama is located on the east side of Centennial Hall on the Historic University of Arizona Mall. Cuk Ṣon is the Tohono O’odham name for Tucson, referring to the 17th-century O’odham village at the base of “Black Hill or Mountain.” Cuk Ṣon is the Tohono O’odham name for Tucson, referring to the 17th-century O’odham village at the base of “Black Hill or Mountain.” Read, nap, and daydream; the Audiorama is a place for people to rest in the company of nothing but trees and music. It is an open-air concert auditorium, and there are several places to sit surrounded by speakers that play music all day. The type of music differs by the day of the week. Bring a book or borrow one, escape the noise and craziness around us, and sit with nature.Cuk Son Audiorama was designed by Arzate Design Group of Tucson in collaboration with Old Pueblo Hemp Co., Ponderosa Cactus, Civano Growers, AYJ Construction, Desert Streams and Gardens, University of Arizona Facilities Management and built by CAPLA Students and Arizona Arts Live.

Experience a heartfelt tribute to global music legend Cesária Évora and Cape Verde’s rich musical traditions with Award-winning jazz vocalist Kavita Shah. Presented in the Century Room. Kavita Shah is an award-winning jazz vocalist, composer, researcher, polyglot and lifelong New Yorker of Indian origin, hailed for possessing an “amazing dexterity for musical languages” (NPR). In her latest project, Cape Verdean Blues, she explores the sounds and stories of São Vicente, an island of Cape Verde, off West Africa, and the birthplace of world music legend Cesária Évora. Shah, herself a daughter of diaspora who resonated with the music’s language of longing, has teamed up with Évora’s longtime bandmates–including master acoustic guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Bau–to create her most personal work to date. This is music that makes you want to dance and cry at the same time. She will be joined by Bau, as well as two other masters of Cape Verdean music: guitarist Jorge Almeida and percussionist N’du Carlos.

Step into a fantastical world where reality bends and imagination reigns with MOMIX’s mesmerizing new show, ALICE. Presented in Centennial Hall. MOMIX: Alice sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendleton’s newest creation inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland, seemingly seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic, and whimsy. “I don’t intend to retell the whole Alice story,” Pendleton says, “but to use it as a taking off point for invention.” Join this dazzling company on a mind-bending adventure, as Alice encounters time-honored characters including the undulating Caterpillar, a lobster quadrille, frenzied White Rabbits, a mad Queen of Hearts, and various other surprises. Filled with visual splendor and startling creative movement, Alice reveals that nothing in MOMIX’s world is as it seems!

Experience an Ohio family’s story told through visual and musical relics in a moving theatrical performance, Relics and Their Humans. Seated on stage in Centennial Hall. Join the performers on a theatrical and musical journey alongside the Quillen family in Dover, Ohio. Three key family relics—a recorded interview with Quillen’s mother, Jerry Quillen’s journal, and a surprising playlist — guide us through three years of family life framed around the years following a devastating ALS diagnosis. Using reimagined musical classics, from “One Less Bell to Answer” to “Free Bird,” and phrases from Jerry’s journal, Gordon and Quillen’s spirited performances, together with playwright and director Talvin Wilks’s inventive dramaturgy and Jennifer Tipton’s evocative lighting design, transform these elements into a beautiful storytelling experience. Relics and Their Humans marks the second collaboration between writer, director, and performer Ain Gordon and composer, writer, and percussionist Josh Quillen (So Percussion). This work was partially developed during a 2022 residency with Arizona Arts Live. 

The Revolutionary Love Bus Tour 2024-2025 is a healing odyssey across the United States calling people to rise up in courage, humanity, and love. Presented at Hotel Congress. Join visionary civil rights leader Valarie Kaur in an immersive experience of storytelling, music, song, ancestral wisdom, and community-building. We invite you into a space for soulful introspection, deep listening, and courageous action. Each stop uplifts local leaders, artists, and advocates who catalyze hope. You will leave with the tools needed to lead with love and courage in your daily life. At the heart of every event, Valarie and fellow artists tell stories of how their ancestors survived seemingly apocalyptic times. Together, we explore how each of us can walk the path of love, healing, and justice. Featuring raag-based kirtan by celebrated Sikh women artists Jasvir Kaur Rababan and Nirinjan Kaur Khalsa. And renowned trumpeter and artist Sonny Singh performing from his new album Sage Warrior, accompanied by Qais Essar or Shahjehan Khan. There will also be special guests at every stop who will be announced soon!

Celebrate the healing and unifying power of the arts in the community-led Art is Vital Fiesta premiering simultaneously in 18 cities nationwide. Presented at the Edward B. Berger Performing Arts Center. Inspired by the inter-city Federal Theatre Project in 1936, the Arts for Everybody Project brings together people and communities to prove how the arts can lead to healthier people and communities. Cities nationwide will collectively answer the prompt “No Place Like Home” through large-scale participatory arts projects drawing on sounds, styles, and stories of their communities. Tucson’s Art is Vital Fiesta will kick off with a concert reading of “Anita,” a new musical about the power of joy to create a sense of home and belonging. The experience will also feature live music by local award-winning mariachi bands, heritage food booths, art exhibits, interactive activities promoting the connection between arts participation and personal and collective wellbeing, and a special “Art is Vital” art contest winner presentation by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero.

Join us for an unforgettable experience with MacArthur Fellow and two-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens. Don’t miss a transformative journey at the Rialto Theatre as she crafts an extraordinary narrative, spotlighting marginalized voices and pushing artistic boundaries. Rhiannon Giddens has forged a remarkable and multifaceted career in folk music, marked by her two-time GRAMMY Award-winning talent as a singer and instrumentalist. Recognized as a MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, she is not only a composer of opera, ballet, and film but also a dedicated advocate for acknowledging the overlooked contributions to American musical history. Giddens’s mission involves fostering a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins, spotlighting marginalized voices, and pushing artistic boundaries. Beyond her musical endeavors, Giddens has extended her creativity into various mediums, from writing opera and children’s books to contributing to video game soundtracks. Her influential presence has garnered attention, earning a place on NPR’s list of the 25 Most Influential Women Musicians of the 21st Century and acknowledgment as “one of the most important musical minds currently walking the planet” by American Songwriter. Artist's Website Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

On a dark and lonesome night, imagination, technology, and a winding tale of love and loss converge in this gripping radio play, Bedtime Stories. Follow along with young Lily as she is transported to dark, disorienting worlds by the two most influential storytellers in her life – her father and grandfather. As she comes of age, unimaginable events throw these three generations into a frightening journey for one final story that blurs the line between truth and fiction. Conceived by Dutch collective URLAND, Bedtime Stories celebrates the art of the voice to tell engaging and immersive stories. This pitch-perfect narrated performance takes its inspiration from radio plays, using just actor Thomas Dudkiewicz’s voice and well-timed sound effects to bring to life an enchanting cast of characters. Meet Lilly, a precocious young girl, her father Max, and doting grandfather George, both master storytellers. Every night before bed, Lilly enters a fantastical universe created just for her, where she encounters a host of strange and menacing creatures. Unforeseen events throw these three generations into a twirling journey through both universes. The final story. Laugh, squirm, and dream as Bedtime Stories catapults towards its unsettling ending, keeping you on edge from scene to scene. Content warning: contains cursing, gunshots, and themes of death and suicide. Recommended for ages 13+. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram YouTube

Considered one of today’s greatest showmen, Afro-Cuban Rockstar Cimafunk performs an electric live show with his 9-person band from Havana featuring Pjiama Piyama and Mariachi Nuevo Azteca de Tucson. Join Arizona Arts Live, and Best Life Presents for an evening that will make you move live at the Rialto Theatre! Cimafunk’s monumental second album, El Alimento, released in October 2021, received overwhelming praise for celebrating black music’s power. Co-produced by Grammy-winning producer Jack Splash (CeeLo Green, Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys), the album features hip-hop stars Lupe Fiasco, CeeLo Green, and Afro-Cuban 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. 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. Before the pandemic, his moving performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series was chosen as one of the overall best TDC’s of 2020.

Winner of 14 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and an Academy Award, Herbie Hancock stands as a cultural icon and luminary. Join us for a thrilling musical journey as we celebrate the multifaceted genius of Herbie Hancock together with Devin Daniels on Saxophone, James Genus on Bass, Trevor Lawrence, Jr. on Drums, and Chris Potter on Saxophone live in Centennial Hall! Now in the seventh decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business, and music. Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches to his recordings, followed by his work in the 70s — with record-breaking albums such as “Headhunters” — that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. “Rockit” and “Future Shock” marked Hancock’s foray into electronic dance sounds; during the same period, he continued working in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P. Hancock received an Academy Award for his Round Midnight film score and 14 Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year for “River: The Joni Letters,” and two 2011 Grammy Awards for the globally collaborative CD, “The Imagine Project.” Hancock serves as Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and Institute Chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. In 2011 Hancock was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and in December of 2013, received a Kennedy Center Honor. His memoir, Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, was published by Viking in 2014, and in February 2016 he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Hancock is currently in the studio at work on a new album.

“Uniquely Angeleno mishmash of punk, hip-hop, beat music, cumbia and rock … live, they’re magnetic”– LA Times Rediscover the dynamic world of Las Cafeteras, East LA’s musical visionaries on their return to the Old Pueblo. Mixing Afro-Mexican beats and Son Jarocho instruments, they are redefining traditional music with inspiring English, Spanish, and Spanglish lyrics. Don’t miss this electric experience taking center stage at 191 Toole. Born and raised east of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras are remixing roots music and telling modern-day stories. Las Cafeteras creates a vibrant musical fusion with a unique East LA sound and positive message. Their Afro-Mexican beats, rhythms, and rhymes deliver inspiring lyrics that document stories of a community seeking love and justice in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles. Using traditional Son Jarocho instruments like the jarana, requinto, quijada (donkey jawbone), and tarima (a wooden platform), they sing in English, Spanish, and Spanglish and add a remix of sounds, from rock to hip-hop to rancheras. Las Cafeteras use music as a vehicle to build bridges among different cultures and communities, and create “a world where many worlds fit.” Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Spotify

Join us for an unforgettable evening of strength, power, and grace as we proudly present the nationally acclaimed Urban Bush Women: Legacy + Lineage + Liberation. Prepare to be moved by their captivating performance highlighting the voices of women of color in an inspiring and healing journey live at Crowder Hall. For 40 incredible years Urban Bush Women have been using dance as a medium to unite diverse audiences through their innovative choreography, community collaborations, and artistic leadership development. Now, in Urban Bush Women: Legacy + Lineage + Liberation, they showcase iconic works that transcend genres, amplifying the voices of women of color. These timeless classics offer multiple dimensions of life that deeply resonate with today’s reflection on equity and justice, uplifting Black lives in profoundly inspiring ways. This dynamic program features iconic works by Founder Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and a new work by Co-Artistic Directors Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis. Works include but are not limited to: Give Your Hands to Struggle; Women’s Resistance; I Don’t Know but I Been Told…if You Keep on Dancin’ You Never Grow Old; and Haint Blu (proscenium). Urban Bush Women will mesmerize you with their exceptional musicality and thought-provoking reflections on empathy and joy. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Witness a dynamic performance from the internationally celebrated quartet Sō Percussion together with Pulitzer Prize-winning singer Caroline Shaw. Experience contemporary percussion and spellbinding vocals in a genre-bending program featuring scores from their recently released album “Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part.” For over 20 years, Sō Percussion has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam.” They are celebrated by audiences and presenters for a dazzling range of work and for live performances in which “telepathic powers of communication” bring to life the vibrant percussion repertoire. Their extravagant array of collaborations in classical music, pop, indie rock, contemporary dance, and theater and their work in education and community create opportunities and platforms for music and artists that explore the immense possibility of art in our time. Caroline Shaw moves among roles, genres, and mediums, trying to imagine a world of sound that has never been heard before but has always existed. She works often in collaboration with others, as a producer, composer, violinist, and vocalist, a versatile skill set she utilizes on tour with Sō Percussion. Caroline is recipient of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Music and her vocal work is featured with commissions written for Yo-Yo Ma, the LA Philharmonic, Rosalía (MOTOMAMI), and premieres with GRAMMY-winning contemporary ensemble Roomful of Teeth. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Embark on a 60-year musical legacy with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, five-time Grammy winners spreading messages of peace and love. With a deep respect for cultural and personal history, they return to the Old Pueblo for an evening of uplifting South African rhythms and harmonies taking center stage at the Rialto Theatre. For over 60 years, the five-time Grammy-winning group Ladysmith Black Mambazo has captivated global audiences with messages of peace, love, and harmony. Formed in the early 1960s, their name symbolizes the founder’s hometown (Ladysmith), strength (Black, like oxen), and the ability to triumph over rivals (Mambazo, Zulu for chopping ax). Specializing in isicathamiya, a traditional music style developed in South African mines, the group reflects the cultural resilience of black workers who, despite harsh conditions, found solace in music during weekends away from home. In the mid-1980s, Paul Simon collaborated with them, introducing their rich harmonies to mainstream audiences through his landmark Graceland album, a pivotal moment in the popularization of World Music. Their musical efforts over the past five decades have garnered praise and accolades from a wide body of people, organizations, and countries. The late former South African president Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor. In 2018, the group received two Grammy Award nominations for two separate albums, a first in the history of World Music. These two nominations brought their career total to 19 Grammy nominations. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter

Movement, music, and precision combine in a beautiful dance tribute to the chart-topping songs of Burt Bacharach. Described as “the preeminent modern dance organization of our time” by famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Mark Morris Dance Group showcases sensational choreography sure to captivate eyes and ears. Following the roaring success of his Beatles tribute Pepperland, Mark Morris teams up again with musical collaborator Ethan Iverson for The Look of Love, a wistful and heartfelt homage to the chart-topping songs of Burt Bacharach. A towering figure, across decades of popular music, Bacharach is known for crafting soaring melodies embedded in unique orchestrations influenced by jazz, rock, and Brazilian music – his longtime lyricist Hal David providing unsentimental, often bittersweet lyrics. This evening-length showpiece features original choreography by Morris and new, lush musical arrangements by Iverson, performed by an ensemble of vocals, piano, trumpet, bass, and percussion, with singer, actress, and Broadway star Marcy Harriell on lead vocals. The Look of Love is a production of the Mark Morris Dance Group; BAM; BroadStage, Santa Monica; Cal Performances, UC Berkeley; The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University; Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth; and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in association with Arizona Arts Live, University of Arizona; Harriman-Jewell Series; The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Modlin Center for the Arts at University of Richmond; Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech; Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts; Tennessee Performing Arts Center; UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures; and Virginia Arts Festival. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

“The Kronos Quartet has broken the boundaries of what string quartets do”– The New York Times For five astounding decades, the multi-GRAMMY Award-winning Kronos Quartet has reimagined what the string quartet experience can be. Don’t miss one of our era’s most celebrated and influential groups with over 70 released recordings and thousands of concerts performed worldwide, live in Centennial Hall. San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet—David Harrington (violin), John Sherba (violin), Hank Dutt (viola), and Paul Wiancko (cello)—has blended sounds across lines of culture and era, moving beyond the typical terrain for a string quartet. Through brave sonic explorations into the pressing issues of our time, Kronos has established a worldwide influence. This year, the multi-GRAMMY-winning, San Francisco-based quartet will mark its fiftieth anniversary with the KRONOS Five Decades tour, adding to its legacy of innovation by performing programs featuring new commissions, signature works from its vast repertoire, and pieces from Kronos’ Fifty for the Future project. Kronos’ work has featured prominently in several films, including A Thousand Thoughts by Sam Green. Most recently, the quartet performed on the soundtrack for Users (2021) and is both seen and heard in the documentary Zappa (2020). Kronos’ music has been featured in two Academy Award–nominated documentaries: Dirty Wars (2013) and How to Survive a Plague (2012). Kronos has also recorded complete film scores by Jacob Garchik for Guy Maddin’s The Green Fog (2017); Clint Mansell for Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain (2006) and Requiem for a Dream (2000); and Philip Glass for Dracula (1999)—a restored edition of the 1931 Bela Lugosi classic. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

“Their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation”– NPR Two-time Grammy-nominated Black Violin Experience returns to Tucson in a musical fusion of classical sounds with exhilarating hip-hop beats. Join Arizona Arts Live and the Rialto Theatre for a performance that boldly merges centuries of music with a message of hope and possibility. The Black Violin Experience comprises classically trained violist and violinists Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus who combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound often described as a “classical boom.” The band released their major label debut Stereotypes (featuring Black Thought of The Roots and MC Pharoahe Monch) on Universal Music, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart. NPR took note declaring their music “will keep classical music alive for the next generation.” On stage, Kev Marcus gives an electrifying violin performance alongside Wil Baptiste’s magnetizing viola and vocal performance. Joining them are Nat Stokes on drums, DJ SPS on the turntable, and Liston Gregory on keys. Together they are reconceptualizing what a violin concert looks and sounds like, building bridges to a place where Mozart, Marvin Gaye, and Kendrick Lamar harmoniously coexist. The Black Violin Experience invites you to think outside of the box. Link Facebook Instagram Twitter Spotify

MacArthur Fellow and three-time GRAMMY winner Cécile McLorin Salvant has a gift for storytelling and curating layered, evocative programs that draw connections between vaudeville, blues, international folk traditions, theater, jazz, and classical music, delivering it all with her powerfully swinging voice. Join Arizona Arts Live and the Tucson Jazz Festival as we welcome Cécile McLorin Salvant center stage in Centennial Hall. The Late Jessye Norman described Cécile McLorin Salvant as “a unique voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality, which light up every note she sings.” She has developed a passion for storytelling and finding the connections between vaudeville, blues, folk traditions from around the world, theater, jazz, and baroque music. Salvant is an eclectic curator, unearthing rarely recorded, forgotten songs with strong narratives, interesting power dynamics, unexpected twists, and humor. Since winning the Thelonius Monk competition in 2010, Salvant has received GRAMMY Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album for three consecutive albums, “The Window,” “Dreams and Daggers,” and “For One To Love,” and was nominated for the award in 2014 for her album “WomanChild.” In 2020 she received the MacArthur Fellowship and the Doris Duke Artist Award. “Ghost Song,” Salvant’s debut for Nonesuch Records, was released in March 2022 to critical acclaim and has gone on to receive two GRAMMY Nominations. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Join Arizona Arts Live and the Tucson Jazz Festival as we welcome multifaceted American jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen to the Old Pueblo. This is an explosive experience coming to the Rialto Theatre you’re not going to want to miss. Emmet Cohen is the winner of the 2019 American Pianists Awards and the Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianists Association, and Artist-in-Residence at the University of Indianapolis. He was a finalist in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition. Cohen has appeared at major international jazz festivals and at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall and Washington’s Kennedy Center, in addition to headlining at the Village Vanguard and other major New York jazz clubs. For many years he was Hammond B-3 Organist-in-Residence at Harlem’s SMOKE jazz club. During the lockdown, he created “Live From Emmet’s Place,” a weekly livestream that received millions of internet views worldwide. Cohen is a Mack Avenue artist. A Suzuki piano student at age three, Cohen holds jazz piano degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (M.M.) and the University of Miami (B.M.). Emmet Cohen has performed, recorded, or collaborated with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, Billy Hart, Herlin Riley, Lea DeLaria, and Bill T. Jones. Emmet's Website Emmet's Facebook

Join Arizona Arts Live and the Tucson Jazz Festival for an extraordinary evening of jazz and musical brilliance with 10-time Grammy-winning trumpeter and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Arturo Sandoval. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness a living legend in action as he takes the Rialto Theatre stage this winter. A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval was born in Artemisa, a small town on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba, on November 6, 1949, just two years after Gillespie became the first musician to bring Latin influences into American Jazz. Sandoval began studying classical trumpet at the age of twelve and has since evolved into one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist, and composer. Sandoval has won 10 Grammy Awards and 19 nominations; he has also received 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award. The latter for his composing work on the entire underscore of the HBO movie based on his life, “For Love or Country” which starred Andy Garcia as Arturo. Don’t miss your chance to catch one of the most brilliant, multifaceted, and renowned musicians of our time! Tickets are available online or at The Rialto Theatre Box Office. Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Join Arizona Arts Live and TENWEST on a musical journey that shows that there are no borders when it comes to music. Don’t miss an evening of rockin’ folk, reggae, flamenco, and jazz fusion with Jenny and the Mexicats on the Hotel Congress stage. Jenny and the Mexicats, previously known as Pachucos y la Princesa, is composed of English trumpeter and singer Jenny Ball, Spanish percussionist David González Bernardos, and Mexican brothers Pantera Mexicat on guitar and Icho Mexicat on double bass. Formed in 2008, the band released their first Gold record in the summer of 2011. In 2014, they released their second album ‘OME’ and the first single Labios was part of the soundtrack for the movie “Amor de mis Amores” directed by Manolo Caro. The album has new songs with all the Mexicat spirit and mixes great rhythms, a lot of energy, and moments of sensitivity. Don’t miss your chance to experience a rare musical combination mixing jazz, rockabilly, folk, flamenco, reggae, and cumbia from award-winning sensation Jenny and the Mexicats. Artist's Site Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube

Silvana Estrada sings from down deep, telling her soulful coming-of-age stories in a voice that embraces the legacy of Latin American song and carries it into the 21st Century. Don’t miss an evening with this Latin GRAMMY-winning artist presented by Arizona Arts Live and TENWEST Festival on the Hotel Congress stage. Called “one of Mexico’s greatest young talents and vocalists” by KCRW’s José Galvan, Silvana Estrada, who is 23 years old, is the new voice of a movement of independent female artists who have characterized Latin Alternative music over the past decade. She has also been recognized internationally, performing and recording with artists including Uruguayan singer/songwriter Jorge Drexler, Chile’s Mon Laferte, Catalan singer Silvia Pérez Cruz and Spanish group Love of Lesbian, as well as Natalia LaFourcade and other well-known Mexican artists. Silvana was also the first Spotify Mexico “EQUAL” artist and spotlighted in Apple Mexico’s “Up Next” program. A multi-instrumentalist, Silvana Estrada most often plays the Venezuelan cuatro guitar, whose small body and warm sound suits her hands and syncs with the rolling variations of her vocals. Raised singing Mexican son jarocho and baroque choir music, and schooled in jazz, she is an iconoclast who dismisses musical trends for a personal, poetic style that goes straight to the heart of listeners. Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube

Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen has experimented with indie folk and acoustic rock for nearly two decades. His distinctive bold, genre-busting music has been featured in widely recognized shows including Sons of Anarchy and The Vampire Diaries. Don’t miss an electric and intimate evening taking center stage at 191 Toole! Born to a devoutly religious family, Noah Gundersen has been writing and recording music since he was 13, working his way from teenage hardcore and indie rock to creating his own distinctive strain of bold, genre-busting songcraft. A series of solo Eps –including 2011’s breakthrough FAMILY – eventually led to 2014’s self-produced full-length debut, LEDGES. CARRY THE GHOST arrived the following year, earning acclaim from the likes of NPR. Noah continued to gain popularity after his music was featured on television shows like Sons of Anarchy, The Vampire Diaries, One Tree Hill, and Nashville. Ever searching, he propelled his music toward new terrain on 2017’s WHITE NOISE, melding his increasingly potent lyrical motifs with complex electronics and startling levels of sonic intensity. The album reaped a whirlwind of critical acclaim upon its 2017 release. Consequence of Sound wrote, “…the Seattle native has evolved to become an even more striking musician, his lyrics not only burning brighter, but his arrangements fuller and more intense to match their maker.” Along with his recorded canon, Gundersen – who also maintains membership in Seattle indie rock heroes Young In The City and the all-star Americana collective known as Glorietta – has spent much of his adult life on the road, performing as headline act and support to like-minded artists spanning Emmylou Harris, Beck, City & Colour, and Josh Ritter. Artist's Site Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube

Join Arizona Arts Live on Homecoming weekend to welcome home two University of Arizona dancers, Megan Garcia and Christian Blue, as they take the stage with Parson’s Dance. Known for nearly 40 years for their remarkable athleticism and stunning ensemble work, Parsons Dance brings exuberance, joy, and passion to every performance. Here’s your chance to witness the flawless grace of this internationally renowned dance company in an electric performance taking center stage at Centennial Hall. Internationally renowned Parsons Dance has captivated audiences for nearly 40 years with its energized, athletic ensemble work. Founded in 1985 by Artistic Director David Parsons and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Howell Binkley, the company has toured more than 445 cities, 30 countries, and 5 continents and has performed in notable venues worldwide. The company performs works selected from the vast and varied repertory of more than 75 works created by “one of the great movers of modern dance” (The New York Times) David Parsons. In addition, established choreographers like Trey McIntyre and Monica Bill Barnes re-stage works from the American canon on its dancers. Through its newly launched GenerationNOW Fellowship, the company offers commissions to young American choreographers whom Parsons mentors through the creative process. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram YouTube

Get ready for a mesmerizing and interactive art installation that will transport you to a world where color collides with motion. Los Trompos features larger-than-life, three-dimensional spinning tops in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and intricate designs as traditionally woven by Mexican artisans. Los Trompos (Spinning Tops) draws inspiration from a toy popular with children around the world since the dawn of time. These colorful, large-scale, and interactive installations engage visitors in meaningful ways to give new significance to the art of play. As you interact with each spinning top, you’ll become part of the art itself, creating a symphony of motion unique to each person who experiences it. Great for all ages, this installation is sure to awaken your sense of wonder and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. Los Trompos will be available to students, faculty, staff, and the public in the Student Success District on the Campus Mall at the University of Arizona main campus in Tucson, AZ. Los Trompos Farewell Spin PartyThursday, November 2 | 5-7 PM | UA Mall Arizona Arts Live and the Wildcat Events Board bring you Spin Party! Say farewell to Los Trompos as we celebrate homecoming on campus this Thursday, November 2, from 5-7 PM. Live music, picnic games, activations, and of course the magic of the giant spinning tops combine for an evening of fun! Registration is not required. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public! Héctor Esrawe Ignacio Cadena Facebook Esrawe Studio Cadena Concepts

Discover the power of art and compassion in a free, community-wide event with Amal Walks Across America. Join us in welcoming Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, to the Old Pueblo as part of her 6,000-mile journey in search of family and friends. An “international symbol of human rights” (The Guardian, 2022), Amal will travel across the United States to learn firsthand about a country that has long been a refuge for those seeking safety and opportunity. Her walk is a celebration of art, hope, and shared humanity that aims to unite communities while refocusing attention on the urgent needs of refugees and highlighting the rich cultures immigrants bring. Amal will join over 1,500 artists in 100+ local events across 35 towns and cities to learn more about the stories of the American people who established roots in these communities over the last hundred-plus years. She will begin in Boston, MA on September 7 and reach San Diego, CA on November 5. The cross-country journey will take Amal through the nation’s capital, the Midwest, the South, and across the Southern border, before heading north to Los Angeles. Walk with Amal Across America. One Little Girl. One Big Hope. Schedule of Events 6 AM: Sunrise on Cemamagi Du’ag Desert Laboratory at Tumamoc Hill1675 W. Anklam Road, Tucson, AZ Little Amal joins hundreds of Tucsonans to climb the oldest continuously inhabited hill in the US and to catch a magical sunrise over the saguaros. She witnesses a land blessing and is reminded that she walks on ancestral lands. 9 AM: İBienvenida a Nuestro Barrio! Galeria Mitotera802 S. 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ On her way from Tumamoc, Amal will notice the rich history of our Chicanx, Mexican, and Indigenous communities. The smell of home-cooked foods and the sounds of music will fill the air upon her arrival at Galeria Mitotera’s community art space. Amal will be welcomed to our Barrio of South Tucson with a seat at our community breakfast table, performances by local mariachi and folklórico groups, and a fun-filled pinata breaking with her new friends in South Tucson! 10 AM: Dos Vidas Car Ride Cruise through South Tucson After a warm welcome in South Tucson, Amal catches a ride with Dos Vidas Car Club and friends, and heads to a block party downtown. Along the ride, she sees vibrant neighborhood murals, crosses the threshold of iconic Five Points, and passes by beautiful Santa Cruz Church. 11 AM: İHola! A Tucson Block Party Children’s Museum Tucson200 S. 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ After hitching a ride with Dos Vidas Car Club, Amal comes upon the Children’s Museum Tucson, where a celebration of the city’s many cultures fills the area with music, art, and food. Amal is greeted by young folklórico dancers, who lead her through the festivities, where she eventually hears the notes of home. 4:30 PM: Wildcat Welcome University of Arizona Mall1737 E. University Blvd, Tucson, AZ At the University of Arizona Tailgate, Little Amal is greeted by the University’s international community, a group of scientists and science students with their eyes on the stars. She’s swept along in the festivities around the UArizona Football game against Oregon State by the band, cheer, and football players. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Join Arizona Arts Live and the Rialto Theatre for Emmy Award winner and two-time Grammy Award nominee, David Cross. An inventive performer, writer, and producer, Cross has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed productions on stage and screen. On February 12, 2022, Cross premiered his comedy special, David Cross: I’m From The Future, as a live-stream event available internationally on his website. Recorded on November 8, 2021, in Brooklyn, NY, the special finds Cross reflecting on life during the pandemic, euthanizing a pet, The Gettysburg Address, the true power of wishes, and so much more. Cross’ 2019 comedy special, David Cross: Oh Come On, is available on Amazon Prime and Peacock. He was nominated for two Grammy Awards for the albums, …America…Great, and Shut Up You F***ing Baby, and his comedy special, David Cross: The Pride is Back, was named one of the 25 best stand-up comedy specials and concert films of all time by Rolling Stone in July 2015. In 2021, Cross starred in the National Geographic series, Genius: Aretha, portraying famed music producer, Jerry Wexler, opposite Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin; he made guest appearances in the critically-acclaimed HBO Max miniseries, Station Eleven; and starred in the HBO Max film, 8-Bit Christmas. Other groundbreaking TV credits include Arrested Development, Goliath, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Mr. Show with Bob and David, Freak Show, and The Ben Stiller Show. In 2020, Cross received rave reviews for his starring role in the dramatic film, The Dark Divide, and in 2018, he was part of the ensemble cast with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep in Steven Spielberg’s The Post. Cross released the indie film Hits, which he wrote and directed, and has appeared in numerous films including Kill Your Darlings, It’s a Disaster, Abel, Year One, Waiting for Guffman, Men in Black and Men in Black II, Ghost World, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Pitch Perfect 2, I’m Not There, and he provided his vocal talents for several animated films, including Megamind, the Kung Fu Panda franchise and Curious George. Tickets are available online or at The Rialto Theatre Box Office. Please note, this is an 18+ show.Charity Fee: $2 from every ticket will go to support The Innocence Project which works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Founded in 1992 by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, the organization is now an independent nonprofit. Our work is guided by science and grounded in antiracism. https://innocenceproject.org/Phone-Free Event: This event will be a phone-free experience. Use of cellphones, smart watches, smart accessories, cameras or recording devices will not be permitted in the performance space. Anyone seen using a cell phone or recording device during the performance will be immediately escorted out of the venue. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free viewing experience. Please note:  this is NOT a Yondr event.Copyright Notice: David Cross owns all rights in the content and materials, including any jokes and sketches (the “Materials”), delivered during his performance. The Materials may not be copied, translated, transmitted, displayed, distributed, or reproduced verbatim (the “Use”), in whole or in part, in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed, without the express prior written consent of David Cross. Any Use of the Materials without the express prior written consent of David Cross is strictly prohibited and shall be subject to all available legal remedies, whether in equity or at law at the cost of anyone who violates this prohibition.Clear Bag Policy: to provide a safer environment for the public and significantly expedite fan entry into our venues, Rialto Theatre & 191 Toole have instituted a clear bag policy as of March 1st, 2022. The policy limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into our venues. The following is a list of bags that will be accepted for entry: Bags that are clear plastic or vinyl and do not exceed 12in x 6in x 12in One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziplok bag or similar) Small clutch bags, approximately 5in x 7in All bags subject to search. Clear bags are available for sale at the box office. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Love, loss, and creation merge in unexpected ways in this visually stunning retelling of Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic tale, Frankenstein. Chicago-based Manual Cinema imaginatively combines shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, sound effects, and hauntingly beautiful live music to take you on a twisted journey like you’ve never experienced! Manual Cinema stitches together the classic tale of Frankenstein with the biography of the original novel’s author, Mary Shelley, to create an unexpected story about the beauty and horror of creation. The real-life and fictional narratives of Shelley, Victor Frankenstein, and Frankenstein’s monster expose how family, community, and education shape personhood – or destroy it by their absence. Watch this stunning production come to life using over 400 puppets, overhead projection, live video, and a hauntingly beautiful score performed live. Commissioned and premiered by The Court Theatre in Chicago in November 2018, with additional commissioning support provided by the University of California, Berkeley, Frankenstein was initially developed with The Public Theater’s Devised Theater Initiative in a research residency partnership with the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, with assistance from the Orchard Project Ari Edelson, Artistic Director. The show was the recipient of the 2018 Jim Henson Workshop Grant. Recommended for ages 8 and up; there are loud sounds, flashing lights, and haze. Arizona Arts Live’s Pre-show Costume contest6:30 PM -7:15 PM | Show at 7:30 | Ages 8+ Even if you don’t want to compete, we encourage you to arrive in festive dress! Folks who want to compete will be judged on effort, presentation, and creativity by members of the Arizona Arts Live community. The costume contest will run on a first come first serve basis from 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM. We’ll be there to guide you through registration, judging, and photos. Winners will be announced before the performance.  Costume or not, everyone gets a chance to celebrate their style at the photo booth! Please note: All costumes must be family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Makeup, body paint or face paint must not come off through casual contact. No open carry of firearms. Costume weapons must meet weapons policy guidelines. For safety reasons, the following props are not allowed:Live animals (with the exception of service animals).Substances that might damage or stain facilities or other costumes and participants, i.e. fake blood, glitter, confetti, silly string, water, messy body or face paint etc.Aerosol sprays. (Please apply hairspray or hair color before you leave home.)Projectiles of any kind. Don’t throw anything. Flames, pyrotechnics or explosives of any kind.Metal bats, large wrenches, shovels, or anything that resembles anything like this.Any object or substance designed to (or which could be reasonably expected to) inflict a wound, cause injury, incapacitate, or cause death Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Death is not the end. Music, dance, theatre, and folklore combine in this enthralling new production celebrating life and death in the spirit of the Indigenous/Mexican practice known as Day of the Dead. Step into the colorful, spellbinding realm of Hasta La Muerte by the sonic explosion of Las Cafeteras. From the imagination of Las Cafeteras, Hasta La Muerte is a vibrant musical adventure exploring the stages of grief and loss through the celebration of life and death. Follow along as La Catrina (Patron Saint of the Dead) returns every Dia de los Muertos to console the living and guide the dead to the afterlife. Watch as she encounters the spirits of La Llorona, La Bruja, and young migrants crossing the borders in a powerfully moving testament to the universal power of storytelling as a form of processing grief and sharing love with those in the beyond. Join us at 6 PM on the Centennial Hall Patio for our first ever Día de los Muertos fiesta, featuring an unmissable collaborative performance with Las Azaleas mariachi and larger-than-life Red Herring Puppets, a taco bar by Taco Stop, festive snacks and drinks, arts and crafts, and an altar in memory of our passed loved ones. Guests are also invited to bring ofrendas of food, drink, incense, flowers, or photos for our altar outside of Centennial Hall. Join us for a full evening of vibrant fun—we hope to see you there! Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Las Cafeteras are remixing roots music as modern-day troubadours with their medley of Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats, and powerful rhymes. Their electrifying traditional instrumentation, like the 8-string Jarana, 4-string Requinto, Quijada (donkey jawbone), and Tarima (a wooden platform) echo their deep roots in Chicano pride. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Explore the history of Chilean music under social regimes in a powerful performance by powerhouse artist Nano Stern who weaves together indigenous, African, and European elements into a groundbreaking sound entirely his own. Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of musical virtuosity and poetic advocacy for social justice coming to Hotel Congress. Hailed by folk legend Joan Baez as “the best young Chilean songwriter of his generation,” Nano Stern’s artistry knows no bounds. With a masterful command of multiple instruments and languages, he brings a fresh and relevant perspective to his music. His closest companions on stage remain, simply, his guitar and staggering vocals. In 2023, as the world commemorates 50 years since the coup d’état in Chile, Nano Stern revisits the songs of legendary folk singer Víctor Jara, who personifies the spirit of the day through his timeless music and poetry. With austere virtuosity, Stern gives new breath to this immortal repertoire. As a political and outspoken activist, Nano Stern has crafted a unique musical language that blends the youthful exuberance of folk music with the depth of classical and jazz training, all infused with the powerful spirit of traditional Chilean revolutionary songs. There is a rare power and beauty to a Nano Stern performance. Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic of Nano Stern live on stage in an evening that transcends borders, languages, and cultures. Documentary Screening: En Septiembre Canta El Gallo OCT 11 | UPDATED: 6:00 PM | CCP Auditorium, FREE to attend We’ll Be Singing by September is a feature documentary exploring the history, development, and transcendence of Chilean music during the socialist government of Salvador Allende. Throughout a series of interviews with the most prominent figures of the Nueva Canción Chilena, stop-motion animation and never-before-seen archival material, the film travels back to a time when music, creativity, social movements and political force aligned to give birth to an artistic revolution whose songs still resonate throughout the world. September 11 marks the 50th anniversary of the overthrow of Salvador Allende’s democratically-elected government by the military with the backing of the U.S. government. Be sure to stay for the Q&A with Chilean musician and film producer, Nano Stern. Artist's Site Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube