Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. Go. In an economy motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant. In the room next door, two undercover cops are supposed to catch the meeting on videotape. But there’s some confusion as to who’s in which room, who’s watching the video, who’s taken the money, who’s hired a hitman, and why the accountant keeps taking off her clothes. Unnecessary Farce is an award-winning stage comedy by Paul Slade Smith that combines all the elements of classic farce with a contemporary American plot. Unnecessary Farce is presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. Directed by Ron Heiss. Unnecessary Farce contains occasional strong language and characters in compromising positions for comedic effect.

Award winning pianist Arthur Migliazza returns with his trio to bring the Boogie Woogie and Blues piano tradition back to life through truly unbelievable piano playing and highly engaging storytelling. This musical historian takes you on a one of a kind journey through the origins of this extremely influential and important African-American music and uncovers its connections and relevance to all of American pop music that followed, including Jazz and Rock and Roll. But this is no mere history lesson; Arthur Migliazza is a virtuoso pianist who grew up playing Boogie Woogie and Blues piano, learning directly from several contemporary masters in the style. Arthur began playing professionally at the tender age of 13, right here in Tucson! He first played in Green Valley as a teenager with his piano and drums duo called “The Blues Kats”. Arthur has since moved to the east coast and currently resides in Rhode Island with his wife and 2 children. Let’s welcome him back to the Southwest for this special evening of Boogie Woogie!

This is the true story, not the movie version, of the Chiricahua Apache. Here Jack shares with us who they were as a people, some fascinating stories of their two leaders, Cochise and Geronimo, how their resistance lasted for some 25 years, and what happened to them in the end. This is quintessential Jack, who brings them alive and makes them real. After hearing this talk you will want to go to the Chiricahuas where Cochise was born, to Apache Pass where he fought, and to his Stronghold in the Dragoons where he died.

Historian Jack Lasseter served as a JAG officer in the United States Air Force and enjoyed a decades long career as an attorney in the state of Arizona. He currently gives presentations and talks at venues such as Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and the Western National Parks Association, as well as at numerous historical sites throughout the Arizona. 

Michael DeSchalit is an Internationally Award Winning Magician and Hypnotist who has spent the last three decades amazing audiences all over the globe, from Tokyo to Tucson and Canada and Australia, as well as 29 of the United States. He has spent the past five years as a Resident Headliner in “The House of Magic Show” and “Hypnomania” in Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas. His show, “Magic Misbehaved” is a mix of classic magic with a side a comedy that will surely leave your sides hurting from laughter. Michael describes it as “Comical Hocus-Pocus with a Side of Sarcasm”. The show is family friendly, but it is not the same kind of magic show you would see at a Kid’s birthday party. This show is real mind blowing magic, but don’t worry, no animals are harmed in the making of this show, BUT, it was written in a factory that uses tree nuts and nut products… Mainly the NUT that is doing the performing!!!

Join us for a celebration of the music of guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, winner of six Grammy Awards, and widely considered one of the greatest rock guitarists in music history! The show also celebrates the music of his older brother, Jimmie Vaughan, a world-renowned Texas guitar slinger in his own right. Both brothers enjoyed major label success throughout the 1980s and recorded one album together entitled Family Style, which was released shortly before Stevie’s untimely death at the age of 35. This concert strives to capture the electrifying performances of his live shows and features Arizona Blues Hall of Fame guitarists Mike Blommer and Mike Hebert backed by vocalist Mike Yarema and an all-star rhythm section with John June on bass and Goran Miletic on drums! Be sure to attend this night of Soul, R&B and Rock and Roll as we capture the excitement of the one and only, Stevie Ray Vaughan!

This complete Pink Floyd concert experience will feature note for note classics from one of the best-selling musical artists of all time. With more than 250 million records sold worldwide, Pink Floyd’s legacy is nearly unmatched. You will hear songs from hit albums like The Wall, Animals, Wish You Were Here, Momentary Lapse of Reason and The Dark Side of the Moon. Shine On Floyd are one of the leading Pink Floyd Tribute bands touring the United States today.

Mikey Dunlavey (Mícheál Duínnshléibhe) was raised in a large Irish family in Erie, PA with descendants from Port Salon, Donegal. Irish music became his lifelong passion he began his solo career in 1997 singing Irish Ballads. Major influences included Luke Kelly, The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, and Tommy Makem. In 2009, Mikey formed The Celtic Hooligans along with founding members Tommy Wilkinson and Randall “Merf” McCaslin in Erie, PA. They were joined by outstanding Irish folk musicians Louis Nicolia, Paul Rogers and Brian Gray and played throughout Northwestern PA/NY until 2021. Mikey and spouse Katie moved to Tucson, Arizona and formed their own band The Wild Swans in 2023 after attending the Ceol na Coille School of Irish Music in Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland. Their performances consist of Traditional Irish ballads, sea shanties, Sean Nos singing (Gaelic) and session tunes. Featured instruments include the guitar, harmonica, six-string banjo, penny whistle, bodhran and uilleann pipes played by Mikey and Katie Dunlavey and guest musicians Peter Rodger, Michael Tomcal, Mary Bouley and Keith Reins. Enjoy this Celtic New Year Celebration as they feature songs of love, laments, and fairies!

Enjoy this truly heartfelt tribute to “The Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight performed by the enchanting Deandra Johnson and her band who recreate the energetic stage presence, persona, and powerful vocals, of this legendary act. Experience a journey of transformation through renditions of Knight’s timeless hits including Neither One Of Us, and Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me, and so many more! Get ready to be transported to a world where Rock ‘n’ Roll meets Soul. Glady’s Music is performed by artists, Jim Porter, Chris Strong, Shaun Johnson, Todd Sisk and Kent Moody. Prepare to come abord and be wowed by this breathtaking tribute to one of the greatest performers of all time.

With the sounds of classic songwriting in their music and the future in their sights, The Farmer & Adele are reimagining the modern cowboy/cowgirl while respecting its beginnings. Based out of Nashville, TN, The Farmer & Adele – led by Grace Adele and Farmer Keenan – leads the pack of a new wave of musicians revitalizing western swing music. From garnering multiple awards to developing a one-of-a-kind live puppet show, The Farmer & Adele are a classic-meets-modern band that is entertaining for all ages. Their songwriting is uplifting, heroic and simple, but reaches back to the time of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.

With two Ameripolitan Awards under their belts (2019 Western Swing Female of the Year and 2020 Western Swing Band of the Year), The Farmer & Adele continue to innovate with each project. After the success of their daily radio show, “On The Trail with The Farmer & Adele,” the group released an album in 2024 titled Old + New Western Classics.

Staying true to their multidisciplinary approach to western swing, the group is currently developing a live puppet show – with Nashville Metro Arts – focused on food sustainability, roots music, and celebrating our differences. Co-written with Texas Bix Bender of Riders Radio Theatre fame, the show features a colorful cast of characters including Hank Snowpea, Elvis Parsley, Tater Swift, and many more.

“Live from Laurel Canyon – Songs and Stories of American Folk Rock” is an evening of live music and narrated stories of some of the most influential songwriters who lived in Laurel Canyon in the mid 1960’s and 70’s. Similar to other legendary rock and roll neighborhoods of the same era like Haight Ashbury in San Fransisco or Greenwich Village in NYC, Laurel Canyon was a community of artists who would forge a new genre of music (Folk Rock) and forever change the look, sound and attitude of American pop music. Live from Laurel Canyon celebrates The Mamas and The Papas, the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Doors, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Neil Young, James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, America, and the Eagles with their own unique interpretations of some of the most iconic songs of the era.

Much more than a ‘tribute’ act, Live from Laurel Canyon not only performs the music you love in a new and unique way but shares with you the stories that inspired them. Live from Laurel Canyon is a journey through a special time in American pop music!

Don’t miss Tony nominee, Ann Hampton Callaway, in her new show “Finding Beauty: Inspired Classics and Originals”. Ann’s show is comprised of classics from her songwriting inspirations – Carole King, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Paul Simon, and many more. Also, the recent inductee into The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame shares songs from her new CD “Finding Beauty: Originals Vol. 1.” Expect AHC hits like Streisand’s “At the Same Time” as well as new songs she’s co-written with Oscar winner Alan Bergman, Grammy winner Melissa Manchester, and Grammy nominee, Amanda McBroom. Spoil yourself with a spellbinding show of rousing showstoppers and exquisite ballads, as we follow the arc of Ann’s musical inspiration!

Ann Hampton Callaway is one of America’s most gifted artists in pop and jazz. A leading champion of the great American Songbook, she’s made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. Voted by Broadwayworld.com as “Celebrity of the Year” and two years in a row as “Best Jazz Vocalist,” Ann is a born entertainer. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical “Swing!” and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series “The Nanny.” She made her feature film debut opposite Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon in the Robert De Niro film “The Good Shepherd.” Callaway is a Platinum Award selling writer whose songs are featured on seven of Barbra Streisand’s recent CD’s. She’s recorded over 50 CDs as a soloist and guest and her latest critically acclaimed CD “Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration!” has been in high rotation on Siriusly Sinatra. Ann’s honors include The Theater World Award, 16 MAC Awards, several Bistro Awards, The Mabel Mercer Award, The Johnny Mercer Award for Songwriting, The Blanton Peale Award for Positive Thinking and her induction into The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame. Her new record Finding Beauty, Originals Volume 1, was recently released via Shanachie Entertainment.  

“For sheer vocal beauty, no contemporary singer matches Ms. Callaway.” – Stephen Holden, The New York Times

“…superbly intelligent, singularly creative pop-jazz stylist who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Streisand, Ronstadt, Shirley Horn and Dianne Reeves…” – Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes

“Just as Ella Fitzgerald was the greatest jazz singer of her era, so too is the magnificent Ann Hampton Callaway of hers.” - Musical Theatre Review

Anthony Hernandez is a magician and illusionist based in Los Angeles, CA. He is a “Top Five Best Performer” with IAAPA, the 2012 Press Enterprise “Reader’s Choice” for “Best Entertainer”, Hot List 2014/2015 Best Theatre Show, and was the promotional magician for the movie, “Oz the Great and Powerful.” Hernandez has been the resident magician at the Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido, CA for the past decade. He has performed corporate gigs for the Marriott Corporation and is the best-selling entertainer at the Pearson park Amphitheater in Anaheim, CA, performing for up to 1600 people per show. He performs strolling magic, parlour shows, and large illusions across the country year round. 

THE EXPRESSIVE PORTRAIT

Instructor: Tonja Vojacek Sell

Dates: Dec 2-3, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (bring a sack lunch)

Fee: $270, (Early Bird Special $300 if paid in full by November 3, 2025)

Last Day to Register: November 25, 2025

This class will approach portrait painting in an experimental, fun way. Together we will learn to take risks and explore abstraction while working toward the goal of a finished portrait(s).  We’ll focus on loosening up, learn how to embrace and utilize “mistakes” while discovering the joy of the journey! I encourage experimentation while creating mixed media portraits from start to finish.  

We will not only discover how to improve our classic portrait feature painting skills, but also, how to build up interesting layers by experimenting with a variety of mark making tools. 

I’ll show you ways to improve your drawing skills and touch on value and color mixing to improve your confidence while creating expressive but harmonious non-traditional portrait paintings.

Enjoy some of the best Latin Jazz in the region with an evening of music performed by Zona Libre. The band was founded by saxophone virtuoso Hiram Perez and features Rick Peron (trumpet), Matt Mitchell (guitar), Richard Katz (piano), Manny Brito (bass), Jose Caros Burgos (vocals and percussion), and Aaron Szabo (drums). The ensemble has been featured at the Tucson Jazz Festival and can be seen performing regularly at Desert Diamond Casino and Brother Johns. For nearly 6 years, this variety band has thrilled audiences in southern Arizona with their blend of Salsa, Latin Jazz, Cumbia, Merengue, Bachata and American pop music. Zona Libre’s dedication to being one of the most versatile bands in Arizona has made them extremely popular with audiences of all ages. 

What if Elvis rocked the 1980s? We’re living in an alternate reality where a healthy 50-year old Elvis Presley has made a triumphant comeback by the mid 80s and had lived on to perform more incredible shows worldwide. This is The King as you have never seen him before, perhaps a bit older, but still rockin’ as hard as ever!

Chance Tinder is a multi-award winning “Elvis Presley Tribute Artist” with more than 25 years in the “Elvis Entertainer Business.” He has been a part of the Elvis Presley phenomenon since the late 1980s, when he was first discovered in Southern California by none other than Bill Medley of the musical super duo “The Righteous Brothers.” Chance is also alumni of the award winning Las Vegas celebrity look-alike production shows, LEGENDS IN CONCERT, AMERICAN SUPERSTARS and SHOW STOPPERS LIVE! His secret is believing it’s not so much the voice that is most important, but it’s knowing how to become the man himself on that stage! It’s basically the attitude of Elvis Presley, shy but confident…knowing exactly what he’s doing! “Chance isn’t Rich Little or Jimmy Fallon doing a spin” on Elvis Presley. He’s Chance Tinder, the actor, recreating a character. Through all of Chance’s experiences in show business, none has given him more gratification and fulfillment than paying tribute to his childhood hero, the legendary “KING OF ROCK’N” ROLL – Elvis Presley!

Join us for a one-of-a-kind evening of original songs, collaboration, and handcrafted folk music as we celebrate 40 years of the Tucson Folk Festival at Cheers to 40 Years! This one-night-only showcase features standout sets from two Arizona favorites.

Eric Schaffer & The Other Troublemakers bring award-winning songwriting and rich four-part harmonies to life. Their latest album, Dry Lightning—produced by Peter Dalton Ronstadt—has earned acclaim for its storytelling and local roots.

Kevin Pakulis and his Band, Tucson’s own Americana powerhouse, delivers his signature blend of country, blues, and rock alongside his renowned band. No Depression Magazine hails his sound as “the best of a genre.”

Proceeds benefit the Tucson Folk Festival, one of the nation’s longest-running free music festivals, drawing 15,000+ fans annually to downtown Tucson for three days of live, original music. Come enjoy a night of handcrafted music, community spirit, and support for a beloved local tradition. Let’s toast to 40 years—and many more to come!