With all the conversation around rethinking work in a post-lockdown world, I’d like to add an item to the collective agenda: the siesta. Let’s not miss this opportunity to restructure our schedules around not having to go anywhere when it’s really hot!

Summer events where things stay open later to take advantage of cool evening temps are a good start. There are a couple of those on this season’s Happenings List.

You’ll also find….

• Sculpture exhibitions: from large-scale outdoor works to some so small they literally fit on the head of a pin.
• Unusual ways to appreciate nature: from the night sky to the desert flora and fauna.
• Events you can experience from anywhere, in addition to the ones you can go to in person here in Southern Arizona.

I’ve also asterisked goodies that go along with some of the events. Have fun!

THIRST 2021 Shop

now – Jun 26 / anywhere 

Sale of artwork contributed by artists from all over the country. Proceeds are split between the artists and two organizations supplying humanitarian aid in the desert, Casa Alitas and No More Deaths/No Mas Muertes.

H/T Spring + Vine, whose beautiful Desert Monsoon Mobile has already sold, but there are still lots of great pieces available!

In the Eye of a Needle: Micro Miniatures by Flor Carvajal

now – Jun 27 / Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Tucson / Admission $11.50, Youth (3+) $8

U.S. debut of Flor Carvajal’s micro-miniature resin sculptures – which are tiny enough to be mounted along the edge of a sewing needle.

• *$1 off tickets purchased online.

Rough Terrain

now – Jul 4 / Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, Tucson / free

Inaugural exhibition of SculptureTucson’s Sculpture Park! It currently features 20 large-scale works on two acres in the northwest corner of Brandi Fenton Park (across River Rd. from the Visitors Center).

• Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12pm to 5pm – or whenever the gates are open.
• SN: Phillip, Quijote, and I stopped by the other night around 6pm, and the gate was ajar. We practically had the place to ourselves! The evening light was beautiful. However, it seemed like a lot of the sculptures were facing east, so a morning visit might be better if you’re planning to take photos.

2020 MFA Alumni Exhibition

Now – Jul 11 / anywhere / free

Virtual exhibition of works by grad students, whose Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rialto Theatre Gallery Project

now – Jul 24, weekly / Rialto Theatre, Tucson / free (donations accepted)

Exhibition of photography and posters from past shows at the historic Rialto Theatre.

• Open Fridays + Saturdays, 6-9pm.
• Patio bar with local beverages and live music from Tucson artists.
• Merch for sale and donations accepted to support The Rialto.
• SN: We got to hear Sharkk Heartt, a singer/songwriter with an amazing voice!

Summer Safari Nights

now – Aug 14, weekly / Reid Park Zoo, Tucson / Tickets $10.50, Kids (ages 2-14) $6.50

The zoo opens up on summer Saturday evenings from 5:30-8:30pm for live music, games, activities, food and drink specials, and theme nights.

• Jun 26 theme: “Art in the Animal Kingdom” with music performed by native Tucsonan singer/songwriter Leila Lopez.
• *Listen to Leila Lopez’s music and download free tracks on her site.
• *Not nocturnal? Here’s a daytime deal: $3/person admission on 6/22 + 6/29! Purchase $3 Tuesday Tickets at the gate. (Safari Nights are not included. Regular 8am-2pm visits only.)

Our Stories: H.S. Artists

now – Aug 29 / anywhere

Annual exhibition of work by high school artists from across Pima County, selected by local teachers. Artwork in this show was created during the 2020-2021 school year.

• *The free Carnegiea webzine also featured a couple of the students’ work in their Winter edition.

Following the Stars

now – Sep 30 / Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum, Tubac / Included with admission: $7, Youth (7-13): $2

Exhibition of works in diverse media – printmaking, painting, photography, glass art – all inspired by Arizona’s magnificent night sky. A percentage of artwork sales will benefit the Presidio, which was the first State Park in Arizona.

Mt. Lemmon Art Show

now – Oct, weekends only / next to the General Store, Summerhaven / free admission

Local artisan market in Summerhaven on Mt. Lemmon.

• Saturdays and Sundays through October.
• Benefits Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB).

Ready to Launch: Arizona’s Place in Space
now – Nov 30 / Arizona History Museum, Tucson / Admission $10, Youth (ages 7-13) $5

New exhibition investigating the impact that the people, landscape, and universities in Arizona have had in space exploration.

• *Free validated parking at the Main Gate Garage (815 E. 2nd Street).
• *The K-2 Museum in a Box curriculum, an online collection of lesson plans and activities that uses primary sources from the Arizona Historical Society’s collections, is free for educators until June 30, 2021.
• H/T Visit Southern Arizona

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Tucson Juneteenth Virtual Celebration

Jun 19, 9-10pm / anywhere / free

Celebration of Black culture, history, dance, and song that will be livestreamed by Pima Community College.

Mesquite Bean Harvesting Walk with Borderland Restoration Network 

Jun 19, 9-11am / Patagonia / free

Walk through mesquite bosques with local mesquite expert, Martha Muffin. Learn about the natural history of mesquite, its nutritional value, how to select pods to harvest, and how to store them. You’ll also receive mesquite recipes and informational resources.

• ​Space is limited.
• Sign up is required. Email Denisse Ortega Lorona at dortega(@)borderlandsrestoration.org.
• Exact location provided after RSVP.

Agaves for Bats with Borderlands Restoration Network

Jun 22 / Appleton-Whittell research station, Elgin

Agave planting with Borderlands Restoration Network staff and Bat Conservation International in celebration of National Pollinator Week.

• ​Space is limited to 20 participants.
• Email horticulture(@)borderlandsrestoration.org to sign up.
• *Recipe: “Batman of Mexico” is both the nickname of Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, co-founder of the Bat Friendly Tequila and Mezcal Project, and a cocktail named for him.

MSA Summer Night Market

Jun 25, Jul 30, Aug 27, Sep 24 / Tucson / free admission

MSA Annex shops stay open late (6-10pm), joined by over 40 local vendors, the last Friday of the month, May through September.

• SN: We went to one of the first Night Markets after we moved here in 2019. I’m happy that the market is back!
• H/T Why I Love Where I Live, one of my favorite Mercado San Agustin shops!

Santa Theresa Tile Workshops

Santa Theresa Tile Works, Tucson

Hands-on classes using beautiful Santa Theresa tiles. These workshops are currently limited to 8-10 participants. No art experience is necessary.

• Mosaic Table Workshop / Jul 11, 10am – 4pm / Fee starts at $255 for a 10″ table.
• Mosaic Sunset Workshop / Jul 17, 11am – 3pm / Fee starts at  $148 for an 8” x 8”piece.
• Intensive Tile Making / Aug 9-14 / $675 for the week.

The Loft Kids Fest At Home

Jul 22 – Jul 25 / anywhere / free

At-home film festival for kids. Each day includes…

• Movie recommended by The Loft Cinema that you can stream on Kanopy (free signup with a library card).
• Animated short.
• *Kids Fest bonus video, created by The Loft Cinema, that includes an introduction to the film.
• *Crafting project with the staff of Mildred + Dildred Toy Store.
• Prize raffles.

Happenings on this list are handpicked by me. It’s not an ad – just some good things I wanted to share!

It’s the season of spring fever. Everywhere. Even in the Southern Hemisphere where it is, in fact, not spring but autumn.

We are antsy to get out, to gather, to return to so many activities we used to take for granted.

While we would not have chosen this time of crisis and quarantine, the choice we have – as Gandalf would remind us – “is what to do with the time that is given us.”

And, in this restless time, you can still find ways to break from your routine. Hike a lesser-known trail. Start some seedlings on your windowsill. See a concert with your dog on your lap. Chat with a friend from across their patio. Take a cooking class in your own kitchen.

Who knows? After this is all over, there may even be a moment you miss some of this madness, waxing nostalgic about way back when you could take a puppeteering workshop from your couch or attend a tequila tasting without worrying about a ride home – because you were already there.

With this in mind, here’s this season’s list of online and socially distanced Happenings!

Which would you like to try?

Upcoming

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Classes and Activities for Adults: Tucson + online

• INVASION! exhibition: now – Mar 7 in the Museum’s Baldwin Gallery. Conservation artist Rachel Ivanyi explores the complicated concept of invasion. Included with admission.
• Tucson Mountain Botany Hikes: Mar 5, 13, 20. Approximately 2-mile nature walks from different trailheads. Limit nine participants. $33 per person
• Animal Training Behind the Scenes: Mar 11 + 25, May 13 + 27. Opportunity to watch keepers’ training sessions with several animals and talk to the keepers while they work. The trainings take place on the museum grounds, and the price includes museum admission. Limited to 10 participants. $35 per person
• Free instructional videos and handouts!

Working from Home: Tucson

now – Mar 28 / Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson (MOCA) / free (donations accepted)

Exhibition featuring new commissions from five artists (Miguel Fernández de Castro, Nazafarin Lotfi, Mark McKnight, Nicole Miller, and Rocki Swiderski) and two poets (Dot Devota and Raquel Gutiérrez) connected to the Tucson region and who each have a unique perspective on this moment of pandemic and protest, as well as on the local landscape. Since the smaller East Galleries remain closed, the entire exhibition is in the Great Hall.

• We really enjoyed visiting MOCA in November and seeing this exhibition!
• The on-site gift shop is temporarily closed, but MOCAshop lists their artists so you can support their online stores directly.
• Frontline healthcare workers can receive a complimentary Individual Membership at MOCA.

Plant Portraits: Culinary and Aromatic: online (Zoom)

Mar 2 – Mar 30 / $250

Class on herbs and other plants that are used in aromatherapy and cooking, like lavender, lemongrass, and tulsi (holy basil). Each day, attendees will learn about the history and practical uses of a plant and then create a portrait of it using various media. This class will be online with possible in-person options at the Urban Forest (a non-profit space created by Randiesia Fletcher) in Tucson.

Tucson Botanical Gardens Classes: online (Zoom)

Upcoming workshops on topics like gardening, art, and cooking. (A few examples are below.) Fees are usually around $30. Materials not included.

• How to Get a Strong Start with your Container Garden: Mar 4, 11am MST.
• Recipe Writing Workshop: Mar 11, 3pm MST. Learn the art of composing a neat and functional recipe, and explore the importance of recording family history through recipes.
• Calabacitas Con Queso y Tortillas Caseras: Apr 11, 3pm MST. Cook-along class in making this dish of spring squash, corn, chile verde tatemado, and queso fresco with homemade flour tortillas. At the end of class, your meal will be ready to eat!
• Just Add Water: Keeping Your Summer Plants Alive in Desert Pots: Apr 24, 11am MST.
• Color Gardens: May 7, 10am MST. How to plan for a vibrant outdoor space all year long.

Puppet Pie Virtual Workshops: online

• Foam + Fabric Patterning with guest artist Steve Troop: Mar 6 + Mar 13, 2pm MST. $70
• Intro to Ventriloquism with guest artist Michael Paul: Mar 20, 3pm MST. $40

Phoenix Geekiness + Cosplay Panels #PHXCC

Tucson Festival of Books: online

Mar 6 – Mar 7 / free

Beloved annual celebration of authors, reading, and literacy.

SN: I haven’t been, but I’ve heard rave reviews from multiple people. Last year, there was so much lament when it had to be canceled due to COVID. I’m glad it can happen in some form this year.

Hot Glass Cold Beer: online

Mar 6, 5pm PST / $5

Virtual version of a long-running event that normally combines glass demonstrations, live music, craft beer and local food. Hosted by Public Glass, San Francisco’s public access glass studio and school.

House of Glass

Ag to Art Market: Feeding the Body and Soul: Yuma (southwest Arizona)

Mar 7 / City Hall (front parking lot) / free (no admission fee)

Combined farmers market and artist market with local art, fresh produce, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Monthly on the first Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

Yuma Favorites: Part 2

Agave Renaissance: online (Zoom)

Mar 10 +11, Apr 14+15, May 12+13 / free

Series of virtual lectures and agave spirit tastings held monthly, featuring agave experts from around the globe. Registration required.

• Collaborative effort by Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, Agave Heritage Festival, and El Crisol Tucson.
• Spirits for the tastings are available to purchase through the new Hotel Congress Bottle Shop.

Ancient Agave Tour

Arizona Opera Costume Shop Masterclasses: online (Zoom)

Mar 12 + 26

The final two masterclasses in this series by Arizona Opera’s Costume Shop team introduce the skills of fabric painting and using resin. Most materials are covered by class fees and can be picked up the Arizona Opera Center in Phoenix or shipped to you. Class fee $75 or $90 with shipping.

• Find Arizona Opera videos, interviews, and musical story time at the Arizona Opera OnDemand channel.
• New video series LOUD! created by Teniqua Broughton and Luis Egurrola highlights stories about music with sometimes-surprising connections to the world of opera.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts concerts: Scottsdale + online

Many upcoming Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts shows are either all virtual or offer both in-person and livestream viewing options. Livestream tickets vary by show ($20-39).

• MusicaNova Orchestra: On Wings of Hope: Mar 21 at 2pm MST, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts or livestream / tickets $27-37. Socially distanced performance of works by Haydn, Mozart, and young composer Quinn Mason (written for MusicaNova).
• Burkina Dreams in the Desert Featuring AZ63: Mar 27 at 2pm MST, Scottsdale Civic Center Park or livestream / tickets $24-28: Performance of a mix of string and percussion instruments from Burkina Faso, the African Diaspora, and beyond.

The Big Gem Show: Tucson

Apr 8 – Apr 25 / Hotel Tucson City Center, Tucson, AZ / free

More than 300 gem, minerals, and fossil vendors throughout Hotel Tucson’s 10-acre courtyard. The Show’s focus will be on quality Gems, Minerals, and Fossils. The show is open to the public.

Ongoing

Arizona State Museum OnView+OnLine+OnDemand: online

ongoing / fees vary
Digital collections, classes, and resources from Arizona State Museum (ASM), University of Arizona’s anthropolgy museum.

• Virtual exhibitions of pottery, weaving, illustration, carvings, and ASM collections. Free.
• Behind-the-Scenes Video Tours. Free.

ENCOMPASSING ARIZONA: Tucson + online

Tohono Chul (Main Gallery)

Rotating invitational exhibition that presents a wide variety of artworks from a diverse roster of established and emerging artists from across Arizona.

• New work installed frequently.
• 50% of all art sales from ENCOMPASSING ARIZONA help fund programs at Tohono Chul.

Other Tohono Chul Goodies:

• Tohono Chul @ Home
• Bottomless prickly pear margaritas and mimosas for $14 with entree purchase.

Tohono Chul

Happenings on this list are handpicked by me. As far as I know, all the information was accurate when I posted this. 

Also, this is not an ad. No one asked for this. I just compulsively need to share good stuff I hear about. So there you go.