E-mail your event listings to Jamie Manser by the 15th of each month, jamie@downtowntucson.org.
Friday, Jan 2-Saturday, Jan 3
Arizona Ice Cats vs. Saint Louis University
Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., 791-4266.
Time: 7:30pm. Admission: Call.
Saturday, January 3
Calexico & Friends 2nd Annual KXCI & Solar Culture Galley Benefit Concert.
Temple of Music & Art, 330 S. Scott Ave., 623-1000 x13, www.KXCI.org.
Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $15. Hours of great live music from Calexico, Neko Case, Salvador Duran, and more, all in the beautiful historic Temple of Music and Art.
Space Mania: Spirit and Stardust
Flandrau Science Center & Kuiper Space Sciences Building, UA Campus, 1601 &1629 E. University, 621-STAR, www.Flandrau.org.
Time: 5:30pm. Admission: Free. This public celebration of our current golden age of Solar System exploration offers keynote speakers at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, educational displays at both the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in the atrium and at Flandrau Science Center, a special showing of the MarsQuest planetarium show, and a Flandrau Observatory open house for Saturn viewing.
Saturdays on Fourth Avenue
Time: Starting at 3:00pm. Admission: Free.
Join the fun the first Saturday of each month on 4th Avenue from 9th Street to University Boulevard with free live music, sidewalk arts and crafts, trolley rides and various other activities. For more information, call 624-5004, or visit the website at www.FourthAvenue.org.
Sunday, January 4
Festival of Lights: Three Kings Day
Tucson Children’s Museum, 200 S. 6th Ave., 792-9985, www.TucsonChildrensMuseum.com.
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm. Admission: $3.50 for children 2-16, $5.50 for adults, and $4.50 for seniors. Three Kings Day marks the end of the journey of the Three Kings, or Wise Men, who followed the bright star of Bethlehem to the baby Jesus, as told in the Bible.
Tuesday, January 6
First Tuesday Lecture Series
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., 624-2333, www.TucsonArts.com.
Time: 6:30pm. Admission: Free. Directions Artist, Carrie Seid Barancik Through the use of stretched silk over metal armatures, Barancik conveys the anatomy of feeling through form, structure and the glow of saturated color.
Friday, Jan 9-Saturday, Jan 10
Arizona Ice Cats vs. Indiana University
Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., 791-4266.
Time:7:30pm. Admission: Call.
Friday, Jan 9-Sunday, Jan 11
Arizona Home Show
Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., 1-800-690-1993.
Time: 1/9 & 1/10 – 10:00am-8:00pm, 1/11 – 10:00am-5:00pm. Admission: $7, 16 & under free. www.AmericanShowsInc.com. Over 500 displays to help transform your house into your dream home.
Sunday, January 11
Family Arts Day Transformations: Earthworks/Artworks
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., 624-2333, www.TucsonArts.com.
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm. Admission: Free. Discover the raw power and beauty of nature while viewing Alan Sonfist: The Burning Forest, an exhibit of sculptural forms created by forest fire. Using natural materials, explore your role as an eco-artist as you make an assemblage. Also on Sunday, January 25.
4th Annual Family Arts Festival
See Arts.
IdoInTucson.com Monthly Bridal Fair
Radisson Hotel, 181 W. Broadway Blvd., 770-0714, www.IdoInTucson.com.
Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm. Admission: Free. Tucson wedding service providers sponsor a Bridal Fair every month. Vendors include Wedding Cakes, DJs, Florists, Invitations, Photographers, Videographers, Reception Sites, and many more.
Thursday, Jan 15-Saturday, Jan 17
56th Annual Southern Arizona Square & Round Dance Festival
Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., www.SARDASA.com.
Check out the website for information on the schedule and the costs.
Friday, Jan 16- Saturday, Jan 17
Arizona Ice Cats vs. Lindenwood University
Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., 791-4266.
Time: 7:30pm. Admission: Call.
Friday, Jan 16-Sunday, Jan 18
26th Annual Quilt Show “Timeless Treasures”
Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., 547-5463, www.iwhome.com/quilter.
Time: 1/16 and 1/17, 9:00am-5:00pm. 1/18, 10:00am-4:00pm. Admission: Call.
More than 300 quilts and other quilted items will be featured. Special guest speaker is internationally renowned quilter, author, designer, and instructor Marti Michell. The three day event will also feature certified quilt appraiser Bobbie Aug, demonstrations, boutiques, vendors, and the 2004 Raffle Quilt “Remembrances: A Quilter’s Album,” created from a design by Robert Callaham by members of the Tucson Quilter’s Guild.
Saturday, January 17
Daniel Stolar
Biblio, 222 E. Congress St., 624-8222.
Time: 7:00pm Admission: Free. Stolar will be reading from his book “The Middle of the Night.”
Slide Lecture “The Artist and The Astronaut: Our Life in Art and Science”
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., 624-2333, www.TucsonArts.com.
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm. Admission: Free. Josh Simpson is an internationally acclaimed glass artist with a home and studio in Shelburne, Massachusetts. His wife, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Catherine “Cady” Coleman, is a polymer scientist and a NASA Astronaut based in Houston. In this joint talk, Josh will describe how years of experiences and mistakes have resulted in unique ways of creating his art including his well-known glass planets. Cady will describe her experience deploying the Chandra X-Ray Observatory on her second STS-93mission flown aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. Described by the Boston Globe as the cosmic couple, Cady and Josh share an interest in space and are both private pilots. They will share insights about how two highly successful people balance family and two widely differing careers. Seating is limited. RSVP to Terra Feast 624-2333 ext. 111.
Culture Craft Saturday: Ceramic-a-Rama!
Arizona State Museum, UA Campus, 1013 E. University Blvd., 626-8381.
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm. Admission: Free. Family fun with hands-on pottery making, demonstrations, and a ceramics show/sale. Co-sponsored by Southern Arizona Clay Artists.
Friday, Jan 23-Sunday, Jan 25
Dillinger Days.
Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capture of the notorius John Dillinger and his gang. See below for more information.
Saturday, January 24
Festival of Lights: Chinese New Year
Tucson Children’s Museum, 200 S. 6th Ave., 792-9985, www.TucsonChildrensMuseum.com.
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm. Admission: $3.50 for children 2-16, $5.50 for adults, and $4.50 for seniors. The Chinese New Year’s traditional Lion Dance is celebrated with sparklers and firecrackers.
Monday, January 26
UA Peace and Justice Fair
UA Mall, between Park & Campbell on University, jessek@u.arizona.edu.
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm. Admission: Free. This fair is an opportunity to introduce UA students to the variety of progressive organizations in the Tucson area working towards social justice and peace. Please contact Jesse to arrange for a table for your organization.
Friday, January 30
Sherwin Bitsui Reading
Biblio, 222 E. Congress St., 624-8222.
Time: 7:00pm Admission: Free.
Ongoing
Mondays
Art Talks
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main, 624-2333, www.tucsonarts.com.
Time: 1:30pm. Admission: Free. Docents give free art talks to the public in the auditorium of the Education Center just east of the Museum.
Tuesdays
Poetry/Spoken Word
Casbah Tea House, 628 N. 4th Ave., 740-0393, www.CasbahTeaHouse.com.
Time: 8:00pm-10:00pm. Admission: Free.
Wednesdays
Farmers Market, and Arts & Crafts Mercado
Main Library Plaza on Pennington St. between Stone Avenue and Church Street.
Time: 8:00am-2:00pm. Admission: Free. Where else can you enjoy a selection of tantalizing salsa, garden fresh produce, fruit, fresh baked goods, nuts, kettle corn, specialty skin care items, live desert blooming plants, unique gifts, and hand-made jewelry. If you are interested in joining the market, please call Alan Ward at 326-7810.
Thursdays
ArtWalk
Different location each week.
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm. Admission: $5. Hosted twice a month, Art Walks visit Downtown galleries, art spaces and artists’ studios. Curators and artists offer an up close and personal view of current exhibits and art trends. On January 8, is Raices Taller 222 curator presentation of the exhibit. January 22 Etherton Gallery and The Temple of Music and Art are featured.
Art Talks
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main, 624-2333, www.tucsonarts.com.
Time: 1:30pm. Admission: Free. Docents give free art talks to the public in the auditorium of the Education Center just east of the Museum.
Fridays
Bohemian Boogie
Orts Space, 121 E. 7 St. at 7 Ave., 322-8020.
Time: 8:00pm to 11:00pm. Admission: $5.00 adults, $1.00 children. Free-form Dance Jam. Open sprung floor for those who love to move. Rotation of live music, DJ and drum circle to set the pace. All ages, family friendly, smoke-free.
Wilde Battle of the Improvs
Wilde Playhouse, 135 E. Congress St., 770-1000, www.WildePlayhouse.com.
Time: 10:00pm. Admission: $5. Each week, two improv groups will battle for the audience’s vote and winners go on to compete with new challengers each Friday.
Line Dancing
Armory Park Senior Center, 220 S. 5th Ave., 578-0100.
Time: Beginning, 1:00pm-2:00pm. Intermediate, 3:00pm-6:00pm. Admission: Call.
Belly Dancing
Casbah Tea House, 628 N. 4th Ave., 740-0393, www.CasbahTeaHouse.com.
Time: 8:00pm-10:00pm. Admission: Free.
Saturdays
Temple Tours
Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave., 622-2823.
Time: 11:30am. Admission: Free. On January 24 and 31, The Arizona Theatre Company will host tours of the historic Temple of Music and Art. The docent-led tours will begin in the courtyard with discussions on the history of the building, its restoration and renovation. Docents also will take visitors on a backstage tour for a behind-the-scenes look of the theater.
Wine Tasting
Plush, 340 E. 6th St., 798-1298, www.PlushTucson.com.
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm. Admission: Varies based on the featured wines. Featuring wines from all over the world, this is an inexpensive way to truly become a wine connoisseur in a comfortable, smoke-free environment.
Historic Walking Tours
Hotel Congress, twice a month, 624-9977.
Time: 8:45am-11:00am. Admission: $5. Visit the Warehouse District and Downtown community for an informative tour of Tucson. The two routes offered each month consist of the Historic Warehouse District and Armory Park & Railroad District. Hotel Congress offers a special Railroad breakfast on tour mornings. Wear your walking shoes and bring water. Please call to make the required reservations.
Open Mic Night
Wilde Playhouse, 135 E. Congress St., 770-1000, www.WildePlayhouse.com.
Time: 10:00pm. Admission: Call. Come sing, play, read, do stand-up, juggle or wherever your talent leads you!
Women’s Coffee House
Bentley’s Coffee House, 1730 E. Speedway Blvd., 795-0338, www.BentleysCoffeeHouse.com.
Time: 9:00pm-11:00pm. Admission: Free. Saturdays are reserved for women to showcase their talent, everything from film to music.
Living History in La Casa Cordova Courtyard
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main, 624-2333, www.tucsonarts.com.
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm. Admission: Free. Lectures and demonstrations covering many areas of the life of Tucsonans in the mid-ninetieth century including, the duties of the Jesuit Priest, life of Juan Bautista de Anza, cooking and food preparation demonstrations, textile making, agriculture, schooling, housing, blacksmithing and many other “life-ways” of the Spanish colonial period in the Tucson area.
Sundays
The Reggae Connection Presents A Family Affair!
Twelve Tribes Reggae Shop, 345 N. 5th Ave., 620-1810.
Time: Starting at 8:00pm. Admission: $5. Every Sunday, come down and enjoy the sounds of Level Vibes Reggae Band and Twelve Tribes All Stars with Jamaican food and soda on sale and a $5 raffle for a DVD player.
Belly Dancing
Casbah Tea House, 628 N. 4th Ave., 740-0393, www.CasbahTeaHouse.com.
Time: 8:00pm-10:00pm. Admission: Free.
CAPTURE THOSE DILLINGER DAYS
by T. P. Stefanski
ypical snowbirds. Pasty-faced, over-dressed, escapees from the frozen midwestern breadbasket. Driving shiny, new automobiles sporting out of state license plates, they maneuver cautiously down the streets of the Old Pueblo. Their little lap dog perches on top of expensive luggage piled in the back seat. Like many tourists, their overstuffed baggage is bulging with too many clothes, 100’s of rounds of ammunition, a couple of fashionable bullet-proof vests & a pair of Thompson machine guns. WHOA!!! Did I say typical? Yep, typical if we’re talking 70 years ago in January 1934 & the snowbirds are John Dillinger & his gal, Evelyn “Billie” Frechette.
 |
| Dillinger sleeps on his plane ride from Tucson to Chicago. |
Fresh from a bank robbery in East Chicago, Indiana & seeking a quiet place to rest up, Depression-era desperado Dillinger with partners in crime; Harry Pierpont, Charles Makley, Russell Clark & their molls, rolled into out-of-the-way Tucson. The downtown Hotel Congress was to be the rendezvous point. “Fat” Charlie Makley and Russell Clark first settled into the hotel & scoped out the local points of amusement. While liquored up out on the town, the pair was loose with their money & bragged of shady exploits to curious patrons.
On January 22, 1934, the entire gang was rousted from their third floor room at the Congress. The building was aflame! Once evacuated from their smoke-choked hideout by the Tucson Fire Department hook and ladder crew & secure on the ground, the bad boys realized they had left behind their weapon-laden luggage. Two firefighters were coerced into going back up into the inferno to retrieve the sinister suitcases. The 2 rescuers were amazed at the weight of some of the bags. For their efforts, the TFD officers were rewarded with $12 (a substantial sum back then).
A couple days later, while browsing a True Detective pulp magazine, one of the firemen recognized a wanted photo as one of the men he assisted at the hotel blaze. Turning all their information over to the Tucson Police Dept. started the hunt for these dangerous felons.
Fast thinking, western lawmen, led by Chief C.A. Wollard, Frank Eyman, Dallas Ford, Chet Sherman & several others, tracked the well-dressed suspects to a rented house on Second Avenue & other locations around downtown Tucson. With diligence, patience and exceptional courage, one by one, all the hoodlums were apprehended without a single shot being fired. Clark! Makley! Pierpont! Dillinger! Captured! In one fell swoop, TPD accomplished what no other law enforcement agency had been able to do. After being relieved of their entire arsenal & nearly $27,000 in loot, even Johnnie Dillinger & “Handsome Harry” Pierpont, begrudgingly acknowledged the surprising efficiency of the ”hick-town cops”.
Over night, the Ol’ Pueblo became the focal point of national news for the high profile, “most wanted” collar of these Midwestern bank busters. The eyes of the entire country were on Tucson, AZ. Flashbulbs popped & newsreel cameras cranked.
John Dillinger was flown, by plane, out of town to face charges in his home state of Indiana. Only a few weeks later, he became a folk-legend by “crashing out” of the allegedly escape-proof Crown Point Jail, forcing the entire police squad into their own cells & then stealing the sheriff’s personal car. Ultimately, after a handful of bank robberies, plus numerous scuffles with cops and G-men, old Johnnie’s luck finally ran out in a grungy, Chicago alley on July 22, 1934.
