All Entries Tagged With: "Arts/Entertainment"
ARTS BRIEFS: PCC to present four concerts in six days
Jazz Ensemble performing Nov. 30
The Pima Community College 18-piece Jazz Ensemble will perform in concert on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the West Campus Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre.
The program will feature big band arrangements of “April in Paris,” “Shiny Stockings” and “All of Me” under the musical direction of Mike Kuhn. Vocalist Lali Smith and percussionist Homero Cerón will also perform.
Tickets cost $6, with discounts available. For further information, call the box office at 206-6986 or go online to www.pima.edu/cfa.
-By Zacchary Watson
Wind Ensemble concert Dec. 2
The PCC Wind Ensemble will hold its second concert of the 2010-11 season on Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the West Campus CFA Proscenium Theatre.
Selections by director Mark Nelson include “Russian Christmas Music” by Alfred Reed, featuring medieval Russian chant melodies. Other traditional wind ensemble pieces will be “Americans We” and “Elegy.”
Chamber music by the brass ensemble, flute choir, percussion ensemble and clarinet-saxophone ensemble will also be featured.
The concert will close with a holiday classic, “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson.
Tickets cost $6, with discounts available. For further information, call the box office at 206-6986 or go online to www.pima.edu/cfa.
-By April George
PCC Orchestra performs Dec. 4
The PCC Orchestra will perform in concert on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. in the West Campus Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre under the direction of Alexander Tentser.
The program includes selections from the musical “Showboat,” Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and Joseph Haydn’s last symphony, “London.”
A work by University of Arizona composition major Charles Zoll will also premiere. The piece contains many challenging parts for piano, strings, woodwinds and trumpet, and features Zoll on various percussion instruments.
College students, high school students and community adults perform with the PCC Orchestra.
Tickets cost $6, with discounts available. For further information, call the box office at 206-6986 or go online to www.pima.edu/cfa.
-By Conrad Pursley
Holiday choir concert set for Dec. 5
The PCC Chorale and the College Singers will present a holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m. in the West Campus Center for the Arts Proscenium Theatre.
Benjamin Sorenson will direct a program featuring Clement Moore’s classic 1882 Christmas poem, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” as set to music by Ken Darby.
Other holiday favorites will include “Silent Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “All On a Christmas Morning.”
Tickets cost $6, with discounts available. For further information, call the box office at 206-6986 or go online to www.pima.edu/cfa.
-By Miki Jennings
Sculptures beautify West Campus
Story and photos by Narciso Villarreal
Keep your eyes open for sculptures popping up for display on Pima Community College West Campus.
The PCC Sculpture-on-Campus program began in 2004 at East Campus and expanded to West Campus this spring.
Artists Lynn Aldrich and the team of David and Tom Weiss currently have sculptures on display at West Campus.
The program allows artists to loan their sculptural artwork to PCC for a minimum of 18 months.
“This program has a potential to draw people to the campus that normally wouldn’t be here,” West Campus art instructor Joe Dal Pra said.
“It gives artists a chance to develop and show their work and allows the Pima community to view and have discussions about the work and ideas,” he added.
Artists were selected after they submitted résumés, four to six images of their artwork and other information to six members of a selection committee.
Each artist selected receives $250 to help pay for transportation and installation of artwork on campus. An additional $100 stipend will be given to the artists if they make a formal presentation about their artwork at an April 22 reception.
Aldrich created her piece, “Desert Springs,” by purchasing do-it-yourself items such as gutter corners and extensions, exterior enamel and steel downspouts. The sculpture was placed near the Center for the Arts complex.
The piece represents a thirst for meaning or a lack of spirituality, Aldrich said. The inside of the downspouts may represent curious eyes or empty mouths. The title indicates the optimism that is associated with names of suburban developments.
David and Tom Weiss, who work with paints, steel and other media, called their sculpture “Standing Tall.” It is located near the ‘L’ art building.
David Weiss said the piece reflects the healthy pride that PCC students express as they go after dreams and goals. The taller sliver column expresses the pride that PCC students show, while the sliver column that lays over on top of itself expresses the confidence PCC students display.
The piece is also intended for contemplation, he added.
For more information about the Sculpture-on-Campus program, call 206-6690 or visit www.pima.edu.
Chatroulette latest Internet fad
By Mike Hawkins
Internet fads sweep across the Web like a tornado in the Texas panhandle. Appearing out of nowhere, they tear across the pop culture landscape leaving hapless onlookers in their wake. Before you know it, your parents are calling to ask if you saw it.
Chatroulette.com may be the next big storm on the Internet’s horizon.
The site can be described as Internet speed dating. Your webcam broadcasts your image to some random person and vice-versa. You can chat like you normally would on the Web or, occasionally, actually speak.
When you’re done, you click ‘next’ and repeat the process with another random person.
You can access the site without a webcam, but I wouldn’t advise it because everyone will just ignore you.
In case you’re new to the whole business, I should make one thing explicitly clear: Chatroulette will expose you to all the penis you can handle. Erect or flaccid, constrained by briefs or out in the open, lonely or being lovingly stroked, this site always seems to offer another phallus.
If you’re into that sort of thing, you may as well stop reading now and get after it. If you’re feeling repulsed, Chatroulette is definitely not for you. If it doesn’t matter to you one way or the other, you may be able to gain an interesting experience from the site.
The main thing that happens on Chatroulette is that new people get flashed up. Sometimes they skip you for whatever reason and sometimes you’ll skip them because you can’t see the feed from their webcam. Some people just look too funny to converse with. If you like people watching, you’ll probably enjoy Chatroulette.
After that, the most common thing you’ll see is a penis. I’m not exaggerating about this and you shouldn’t underestimate the sheer number of guys who want you to see what they have.
You’ll see more wieners on Chatroulette than a Fourth of July cookout. You’ll see more wangs than a Chinese phone book. More dongs than a doorbell. I could do this all day and still not overstate it.
But every now and then, the chat gods will smile down from on high and bestow upon you an interesting person to converse with. I’ve chatted with people from all over the United States, as well as folks from Australia, Greece, Germany and quite a few more countries.
These occasions are where Chatroulette is at its best. More personal than a traditional chat room, but still anonymous, it’s a completely different experience than any other I’ve had on the Net.
In case you get tired of all the penis, or if someone is berating you, there is a handy ‘report’ button. If someone gets reported enough, the site bans them for a few minutes.
The problem is that you too will be banned and Chatroulette won’t give a good explanation as to why.
I’ve been banned three times in the last couple of days and I wasn’t doing anything outrageous. Perhaps that’s the problem. Maybe if I had unsheathed Excalibur, I would have garnered more positive responses.
It could be that penile exhibition is the life blood of Chatroulette and I’m just not showing off enough.
That’s what Choatroulette does to hook you: it gets you thinking about nonsense. It supplies you with more “wtf” moments than you know what to do with, and just when you’re ready to give up on it a worthwhile person salvages the experience.
Whoever runs the site is going to have to make a few changes before Chatroulette can really take off, but it could turn out to be the next YouTube. Or, it could vanish like AOL.
PCC poets win Hearst awards
By Laura Halverson
Pima Community College student Eduardo Michel took home a grand prize of $300 for his poem “How to Talk to Your Brother” in the 18th annual Hearst Poetry Contest.
“I had never won anything like this before this one,” Michel said. “I feel encouraged to continue.”
He admits to having mixed feelings about his poem.
“There is a certain feeling that I wanted to express and I don’t know that I got it quite the way I wanted.” Michel said. “But, on a different level, I think the poem works. I just need to trust what my instructor Meg Files says, ‘The poem knows.’”
Michel said he recommends that everyone take up poetry. “It has a unique gift for people who practice writing it; one will have to try it to find out what it is.”
Three PCC poets won a Hearst Prize of $50: Heather Rissi for “Questions and Answers,” Mario Martinez for “Old Fashioned” and Amanda Curtus for “Husband.”
Martinez said his poem was based on people he knows.
“I think of my mother and others when dealing with new technology and how they complain and wish everything was old fashioned,” Martinez said. “I was surprised I won because it wasn’t one of my strongest poems.”
Tucson physician Maryls Hearst Witte sponsors the contest to honor her late parents. She started the Frederica and John Hearst Prizes for Lyrical and Populist Poetry in 1992 after the death of her father.
A reception was held March 23 at the Arizona Health Sciences Center to announce winners from PCC and the University of Arizona.
UA student Julie Swarstad won a grand prize for her poem “Alchemy.” UA Hearst Prize winners were Jennifer Aronson for “Reflection,” Timothy Holdaway for “Silence Bristling Overhead,” Shuba Krishnaswamy for “Maximum to the Man-Nation” and T.J. Hoffman Duffy for “Bitten by Angels.”
Thirty undergraduate poets participated in this year’s contest, 17 from PCC and 13 from UA.
Witte said her mother loved poetry and her father began writing poetry after his wife’s death. Starting the contest was the greatest honor she felt she could give to their memory.
Mark Nelson tuba recital set April 15
Tuba soloist Mark Nelson will perform a recital of old favorites and new challenges April 15 at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall, West Campus Center for the Arts. Tickets cost $6, with discounts available.
Nelson will perform pieces for tuba and piano accompanied by Marie Sierra, including “Enchorial Landscape, “Call of the River,” “Serenade,” “Sonata for Tuba and Piano” and “Sonatina.” He will also play a duet, “I Got Your Bach,” with guest tuba player Kelly Thomas.
At PCC, Nelson serves as chair of the performing arts department and director of bands. He teaches euphonium and tuba studio classes, as well as classes in music fundamentals and electronic music.
Nelson has performed and taught master workshops internationally, and has premiered more than 30 compositions written for him.
For additional information, call 206-6986 or e-mail centerforthearts@pima.edu.
FYI
What: Mark Nelson Tuba Recital
When: Thursday, April 15, at 7 p.m.
Where: Recital Hall, CFA, West Campus
Tickets: $6
Box office: 206-6986
Jazz improv combos perform April 19
Pima Community College Jazz Improv Combos will perform in concert April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Proscenium Theatre, West Campus Center for the Arts. Tickets cost $6, with discounts available.
The rhythm and blues concert, directed by Mike Kuhn, will feature four groups from a weekly improvisation class.
Each group includes vocals plus rhythm and horn sections. The students will perform jazz songs from the Great American Songbook, as well as songs by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, George Benson and Marvin Gaye.
For additional information, call 206-6986 or e-mail centerforthearts@pima.edu.
FYI:
Jazz Improv Combos
When: April 19, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Proscenium Theater, CFA, West Campus
Tickets: $6
Box office: 206-6986
Vigilante sites promote real-life crime fighting
By Taylor Bock
We’ve all had exposure to superheroes, growing up with Superman, Spider-man, Batman and countless others.
Some people wish they could suit up and fight crime too. Today’s your lucky day, true believers, because an obscure Internet subculture wants you to slap on some spandex and join up.
Web sites like worldsuperheroregistry.com and reallifesuperheroes.org keep track of active vigilantes around the world.
As “Citizen Prime” says in a history of RLSH, “Today, the world needs heroes more than ever.”
When you visit the sites, you’ll see a gallery of pictures, masks and aliases. You can read up on where they are and what they do. While some look silly and some are downright impossible to take seriously, they’re all real people.
You might be disappointed when you read the bios in the registry. Names like “Phantom Zero,” “Scavenger” and “Silver Sentinel” conjure images of tough crime fighters. What you get are very committed people who watch over their communities and help whenever they reasonably can.
Most carry items like stun guns, zip ties, flashlights and pepper spray. They tend to help homeless people, break up fights and stop vandalism.
There are some, however, who get more involved. Some, like “Dark Guardian” in New York City, have confronted drug dealers and other potentially dangerous situations. Others, like “Death’s Head Moth” in Virginia, train in martial arts and really do fight local crime.
The ones who do choose to fight not only risk their lives, but risk arrest as well. Laws for citizen arrests only go so far, and authorities don’t take kindly to random vigilantism.
That may explain why so many on the registry stick to small-scale crime and only carry legal weapons. Most help organize fundraisers, support charities and work toward the general health of their communities.
For example, Mr. Ravenblade says in his registry bio: “I am a RLSH operating in the Seattle metro area, who seeks to organize and participate in charity events, fight crime whenever possible, and above all make my community a better place to live.”
Those who feel like joining the opposite side of the spectrum can explore ROACH, the “Ruthless Organization Against Citizen Heroes.” Visit their Web site, www.joinroach.com, for more information or to check out member profiles.
Fair warning: they make those in the superhero registry look normal in comparison.
Sound Bites – Music Review
“Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers”
Wu Tang VS The Beatles
By Chris Coco
Back in 2004, DJ Dangermouse released “The Grey Album,” a mash-up album between Jay-Z’s “Black Album” and The Beatles’ “White Album.” Since then, mash-up songs and albums have become especially popular, progressing each year and inspiring others to do mash-up albums of their own.
“Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers” is the most recent big mash-up album to rise above on the Internet.
Using Wu-Tang Clan a cappella from various albums by the group and solo releases from each member, tracks were remixed with covers and samples of songs by the Beatles and post-Beatles bands such as Paul McCartney’s Wings.
Some of the covers come from the Trojan Tribute Boxset. “Got Your Money” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard (also known as O.D.B.) is mixed with “You Never Give Me Your Money” by The Beatles.
Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon described the album as “ill” on his Twitter page. Late Wu-Tang Clan member O.D.B. once said in an interview, which can be found on YouTube, that the Beatles influenced him.
“Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers” was released in early 2010 as a free album download from the Web site run by Tom Caruana but has recently gone off the site. The page is no longer available.
Those who are interested in downloading the mash-up album can find it on Google. I highly recommend this to both fans of Wu-Tang and of the Beatles.
Favorite tracks: “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Clientele Kidd” and “Run.”
God of War 3 worth the hype
By D.J. Ochoa
After three years in development and with gamers counting down the days until they can play God of War 3, the wait is finally over.
GOW3 marks the finale in Kratos’ search for vengeance towards the gods and the end of this exciting tale.
With the development team at Sony Santa Monica working countless hours on the trilogy, the big question is if GOW3 was worth the hype? The answer is, absolutely.
This is definitely a GOW game. The development team has not made any drastic alterations in the fighting mechanics, which is a good move on their part.
Like the old saying goes, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” GOW3 takes that to the core of their being by polishing the combat system.
If you have picked up any early versions of GOW, you will be happy to know that not much in the fighting sequences has changed.
The same hack-and-slash combos are still relevant, but seeing the Ghost of Sparta dismembering his foes on the Playstation 3 platform is a wonder in itself.
With no computer-generated scenes in the game, GOW3 is profoundly the best looking game to date.
The only game that can measure up to its visual stature would be “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves,” which is also a PS3 exclusive.
For those searching for revolution in the fighting design, you might be sold a little short. However, this latest installment in the franchise will have gamers in sheer amazement.
What has worked brilliantly for the franchise in the past still stands strong and ahead of any other video game. GOW3 has revolutionized the meaning of “scale” and brutality from beginning to end.
There are some moments in the game where Kratos scales titan creatures that are visually larger than any New York City skyscraper. The eye-popping visuals of these moments is nothing short of astonishing.
Playable sequences that take place in real time while riding these enormous creatures is both enjoyable to watch and play.
The first level will surely leave gamers with jaws wide open when the Ghost of Sparta climbs Mount Olympus on the back of the titan Gaia with an entourage of titans by his side. However, it will not be the last time you will be amazed by the game’s visuals.
The brutality gives GOW3 a well-deserved ‘mature’ rating.
Countless scenes of blood, gore, body parts being dismembered and Kratos’ body being stained with his enemies’ blood make this GOW game more gruesome than its predecessors.
The brutality takes a larger leap, as the player can perform moves on enemies that are stunning and will make you want more.
However, the brutality is nowhere near over-the-top because Greek mythology was a time filled with gruesome torment.
Combat in the game will have any action junkie coming back for a second helping.
Kratos has four primary weapons that he acquires down his path, and all of them work very well together. The weapons include his infamous Blades of Exile, the Nemesis Whip, Nemean Cestus and the Claws of Hades.
Each weapon is fully upgradeable and has its own unique magic powers.
The only weapon that works differently from the others is the Nemean Cestus, which looks similar to a pair of boxing gloves carved out of iron in the shape of a lion’s head. The rest of the weapons have different moves and looks, but each work the same.
One attribute that is very handy while dealing with a mob of enemies is the ability to change weapons in real time.
At one moment a player can be slicing and dicing advisories with the Nemesis Whip, and the next can be pummeling them with the Nemean Cestus.
This makes the gameplay extremely enjoyable as the player can rack up combo moves while switching between weapons.
There are also more enemies that appear on the screen for the player to battle against, and it’s very fun to grab one and use it as a battering ram to kill the rest.
With out-of-this-world visuals, a compelling story line and gameplay that will never be forgotten, GOW3 is undoubtedly the most memorable game that has been released this year.
GOW3 will make fans of action games save up their hard-earned money to play this classic fable.
Keep your 3-D off my ‘Harry Potter’ films
By Gabi Piña
Over the last year, a three-dimensional craze has swept the movie world. Every other film released has some form of 3-D effect.
I’m an avid Harry Potter fan. I’ve followed the series since the first book was published and I’ve been impatiently waiting for the release of the last two movies.
Once the 3-D trend took over and once “Avatar” became the highest grossing movie ever, someone in Harry Potter land decided, “Oh, hey. Let’s make ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ 3-D!” No, no, no! This is not acceptable.
Some might argue that having those kinds of effects will only enhance their Harry Potter experience. It would give them the feeling of actually being there.
Let’s get real. I doubt that is why the behind-the-scenes Harry Potter crew is doing this. They heard “Avatar” made millions due to it being so awesome, so they think they can do the same.
I’m sorry to those who are in favor of this, but the films already make too many changes from the books. There’s just no need to add 3-D effects.
Harry Potter movies are filled with enough action and awesome scenes to hook people. The series has been going strong since the first movie was released and they’ve done it all without the help of three-dimensional scenes.
If people are looking for some “real” Harry Potter action, they can go to the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” attraction opening this spring at Universal Studios in Florida. The experience there will make them feel as if they’re literally in Harry Potter’s world.
I know this rant won’t change David Yates’ mind on how he chooses to direct the final two films, but if by any chance he happens to read this, I want him to know that I kind of hate him for doing it.
The Harry Potter series should not be in danger of plummeting because of this! Leave the plummeting to the Twilight series. But, as we all know, that’s a whole different story.
MARIE’S MUNCHIES: Guadalajara Grill
Review and photos by Marie Rodriguez
Everybody has gone to a Mexican restaurant and tried a salsa they thought was too spicy, too chunky, too mild, too… something. At Guadalajara Grill, the salsa is made fresh tableside.
A nice lady comes to your table with a cart full of goodies. She has different peppers and spices and asks how spicy you would like your salsa. The end result tastes like something my grandma would make fresh (that’s a very good thing).
The prices for entrees could be steep for an average college student. A plate ranges from about $12 up to $19. On a budget, appetizers are a student’s best bet. They fill you up and don’t come with the standard beans and rice fillers.
Why do I call the beans and rice fillers? When they don’t yield high amounts of flavor on their own, they become fillers.
Unfortunately, Guadalajara Grill’s rice tasted like I could’ve made it (that means it’s not like grandma’s).
Fortunately, there are other things for the Grill to brag about besides the tasteless rice. Tortillas are made fresh in their kitchen daily.
The menu also allows for cost-conscious customers to save on daily lunch specials. These plates range from about $9 to $11 and include fish tacos, fajitas and even lobster.
Fish tacos at the Grill certainly are worth going for. These tacos are stuffed with tasty, crunchy shrimp that jump ship as you eat.
Marisol Gandarilla, left, and Maria Ramirez take reservations at Guadalajara Grill.
Visit the restaurant weekdays between 3-6 p.m. and you are in for some happy hours. The Grill’s happy hour consists of a $3 house margarita that is big enough to last you through a meal. They also serve $2.50 draft beers and take $2 off any tequila flight and selected appetizers.
If you’re in the mood for a nice dinner, this may not be the place to go. If you’re out for a couple of drinks and some appetizers to share with friends, this is a good place to visit.
Salsa is made fresh to order at your table.
FYI
Guadalajara Grill
Address: 1220 E. Prince Road
Phone: 323-1022
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Web site: ggrill.com
‘Greenberg’ director dedicated to authenticity
By Marie Rodriguez
Director Noah Baumbach creates authentic stories by placing realistic characters in real places.
For his newest movie, “Greenberg,” Baumbach wrote specific Los Angeles locations into the script, including a veterinarian’s office where he’s taken his own pet.
“I’m not precious about what I write,” Baumbach said. “Being as open to what you have, I think is important rather than what you anticipated having because it always becomes something different than you started with.”
“Greenberg” is a film about two people at a crossroads in their lives. Ben Stiller stars as Roger Greenberg opposite Greta Gerwig, as Florence Marr.
Greenberg is a failed New York musician-turned-carpenter who is staying in Los Angeles to housesit for his brother. Marr is his brother’s personal assistant, and becomes close to Greenberg as she shows him the city.
Baumbach, Stiller and film composer James Murphy shared their thoughts about the movie during a group telephone interview with college journalists.
Stiller praised Baumbach’s style.
“Working with Noah is a very special experience because he approaches movies in a very different way than I’ve experienced before,” Stiller said. “He wrote a very specific script and the movie was really dedicated to it.”
Stiller admires Baumbach’s work. “I think there are four or five filmmakers that if you get a call from them as an actor, you just say ‘yes.’ Noah is definitely one of those guys for me.”
He added his gratitude for a well-crafted script. “To work on something that goes that deep in terms of the specificity of the writing, I felt very fortunate to have that opportunity.”
Murphy also appreciated working with the movie’s director during the creation of the soundtrack, which was done as the film editing was in process.
“To make music that worked, it seemed pretty easy to do because we were able to talk about music pretty simply,” Murphy said. “I was very lucky to have that open line of communication. It was easy to have access and a lot of feedback.”
Baumbach said he can’t claim sole credit for the outcome of the film.
“Greenberg is in many ways a 50/50 collaboration between Ben and me,” he said. “He did the dialogue I wrote but so inhabited the part and so transformed the character that I feel only part ownership of him now.”
Baumberg passes similar credit to the soundtrack of the film. “The music is very specific and personal to James, even though it was inspired to go with these pictures.”
Photo by Wilson Webb, courtesy of Focus Features
“Greenberg” is set for release in theaters March 26. Creators say its authentic story is delivered in a witty form to be enjoyed by various types of audiences.
‘Sons of Tucson’ sitcom shines
Update: Sons of Tucson has been reportedly canceled and the last episodes will air in the summer
Review and photos by James Kelley
Fox network is breaking up its Sunday cartoon block to debut a live-action family comedy set in Tucson. The new show brings laughter in the tradition of “Malcolm in the Middle.”
“Sons of Tucson,” ties in Fox-type laughs with a family concept, albeit a non-traditional one. SoT, which will debut March 14 and air Sundays at 8:30 p.m., is not as edgy as its “Family Guy” lead-in, but it is hardly schmaltzy.
“Sons” resembles “Malcolm in the Middle” because of strong child actors and because its executive producer is Justin Berfield, who played Reese on “Malcolm.” However, the show also brings something new.
SoT is about Ron Snuffkin, a loser/slacker living out of his car, played by Tyler Labine. He is hired by three boys fresh from New Jersey to act as their father.
Their real dad is a banker, so a criminal. While their father is in prison, the boys need to hire a stand-in so they can avoid foster care.
It’s an odd premise but it actually works well. The idea of kids giving the “father” a sort of allowance creates funny dynamics. The shady and underachieving Snuffkin is a great foil to the smartest son, 11-year old Gary.
The kids, psycho 8-year-old Robby, brainy Gary and popular 13-year-old Brandon, are hilarious, but the star of the show is clearly Labine. Snuffkin is that kind of lovable screw-up who can talk his way out of any jam. Well, almost.
The pilot is funny, but the second episode is hilarious. Snuffkin accidently invites Robby’s teacher over and the “family” must clean and reorganize the house so it doesn’t look like it is run by kids.
Gary realizes there are no photos, so the boys seek out Snuffkin’s fake ID and green card marriage photo album forger and hastily put together photos. One features a “gynecologist” with a prison tattoo at one of the boy’s staged birth.
“Sons” is a modern sitcom format like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” or “30 Rock,” without a laugh track and with a stellar sound track.
“We won’t tell you when to laugh,” Labine said March 10 during a screening at the University of Arizona.
SoT is a family comedy with some heart and the likelihood for characters to grow and develop from spoiled kids or men who act like kids, but the focus is on the laughs. In the moments where the characters bond, laughs soon follow.
Check out “Sons of Tucson” for some laughs and interesting character dynamics.
Preview:
‘Sons of Tucson’ to premiere March 14
By Debbie Hadley
On March 14, Fox will debut a new sitcom that is sure to pique the interest of Tucson natives. The aptly named “Sons of Tucson” will air on Sundays at 8:30 p.m. after “Family Guy.”
The premise involves three young boys whose father has been sent to white-collar prison on financial charges. The brothers, not wanting to be sent to foster care, move from New Jersey to Tucson and hire a rent-a-dad played by Tyler Labine. Comedy ensues.
While “Sons of Tucson” is named after our fair city, it is actually shot entirely in Los Angeles, with stock footage used in appropriate places to showcase Tucson.
The last sitcom with a Tucson setting was the one-season wonder “Greetings from Tucson,” which aired in 2002-03 on the WB network. Executive producer of that show was Peter Murrieta, a native son who graduated from Sabino High School.
“Greetings from Tucson,” about an Irish-Hispanic family living in Tucson, was also filmed in Los Angeles.
A recent movie, “Hamlet 2,” is another production that was filmed elsewhere (New Mexico) but pretended to be set in Tucson. It managed a classic potshot, showing a Tucson city limits sign as a voiceover narrated, “Tucson – where dreams go to die.”
Perhaps there is a silver lining in receiving a backhanded spotlight. When movies are filmed locally, it seems they end up on everyone’s Top 10 list for worst movies of the year (i.e. Transformers 2).
On March 10, Sons of Tucson held a special screening at the University of Arizona. Tucson mayor Bob Walkup presented executive producer Justin Berfield with a key to the city and declared March 14 to be Sons of Tucson Day. Berfield and Labine answered questions, Fox and Sons of Tucson donated $5,000 to the Tucson Boys and Girls Club and they screened two episodes.
Issue 4 Horoscope
By Taylor Bock
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Don’t dwell too much on the future, Taurus. Try to live your life in the here and now. Anxiety and stress shorten your lifespan. All the more reason not to think about it if you’re the really nervous type.
Gemini (May 21-June 21)
Keep your mouth shut, Gemini. That comment you made about the guy with the huge mole might come back to haunt you. If he confronts you, how can you take him seriously if you’re staring at the giant mole?
Cancer (June 22- July 22)
Make yourself look good, Cancer. No one wants to be friends with a big ugly smelly guy. Unless it’s another big ugly smelly guy. Then you can start a club called “The Big Ugly Smelly Guy Club.” I nominate you for president.
Leo (July 23- Aug. 22)
Don’t be taken in by Internet scams, Leo. I’ve won the Irish lottery seven times, gotten four urgent messages from the president of Africa and three e-mails from long-lost cousins who need money for their duck farm. Yes, that last one was real.
Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)
You’re just going to have to get up and do something, Virgo. Not all things come to those who wait. Some things come to those who rise up and kick ass.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
You lack discipline, Libra. You need to be more strict, more on-time and more diligent. I’m going to show you how…eventually. Maybe tomorrow. Hey, can you get me a soda?
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Sorry, Scorpio. I know I told Virgo to get up and be awesome but you’ll have to sit around and wait. Maybe you and Libra can hang out for the day. And Libra, I’m still waiting for my soda.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec 21)
You aren’t as weak as you look, Sagittarius. Somewhere inside is a fierce and able warrior ready to tackle great challenges. Your first challenge: tell Libra to get here with that soda. Seriously, he’s taking forever.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan 19)
I have nothing to tell you, Capricorn. Just relax and stay cool. As for YOU, Libra, I’m really tired of waiting for my soda. If you aren’t going to bring it to me, don’t bother coming back.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Stop worrying, Aquarius. Everything is going to be fine. Oh and I’m sorry Libra, I shouldn’t have been so harsh. I don’t really need that soda. I’m sorry I got mad. Hugs?
Pisces (Feb.19-March 20)
Take it slow today, Pisces. No need to rush anywhere. Lay back and relax. But before you do, would you mind getting me a soda? I mean, things are cool with Libra now, but I’m still thirsty.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
OK Aries, you’re my last hope. I really want that soda, but Libra and Pisces won’t get me one. I’m counting on you, man. What? What do you mean “no?” Fine, screw all you guys. I’ll get up and get it myself. Sheesh.
MARIE’S MUNCHIES: Cup Café
Story and photos by Marie Rodriguez
Cup Café enjoys the same vibe as the Hotel Congress in which it is located, and boasts a menu that is capable of pleasing various palates.
The historic theme prevalent throughout the hotel is kept within the café as well. Chandeliers made with wine bottles hang suspended in air, while pennies tile the floor. There’s a classy charm amidst the candlelit tables and well-dressed staff.
Three different menus along with daily features make for an ever-interesting order every visit.
For breakfast, from opening at 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., diners may choose items ranging from simple eggs and toast to tequila-cured salmon, tofu scramble or biscuits and gravy.
Meals served during the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. lunchtime include a popular tortilla soup, various salads, and creatively interesting fish and beef plates.
The dinner menu includes some items from the lunch menu and even the Hotel Omelet from breakfast. It is split between small plates and large plates, comparable to many restaurants’ lunch and dinner portions.
A “starving students” plan of food attack is best during the café’s happy hour weekdays between 4 and 7 p.m. Appetizers, any item on the small-plate menu, cost just $5 each and will satisfy a hungry appetite.
The Wild Boar Sloppy Joes, served with tempura jalapeno and rosemary sweet potato chips, are a personal favorite.
The two somewhat-mini burgers contain a surprisingly juicy beef, but they’re not too sloppy like your normal Joes. The coleslaw inside with strips of bell peppers adds a complimentary crunch.
The rosemary sweet potato chips make the plate better than good. What is predominately salty alone becomes sweet when eaten with a bite of burger.
An all-around delectable meal awaits at Cup Café. Your stomach will not be disappointed.
Cup Cafe
Address: 311 E. Congress St.
Reservations: 798-1618
Web: Hotelcongress.com/cup
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