NLT Articles and Photos

    Tucson knows how to party, and on Halloween we demonstrate it like everyone else. On October 31, we have our pick of clubs, parties and other events to go to and get in touch with our inner spook. But how does Tucson wind down after the festivities? We don’t. November 8, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of a beloved post Halloween event we call All Souls Procession. The procession, which actually originated as a performance piece by artist Susan Johnson, has evolved into a massive parade. A moving work of art in the style of the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos, this party has it all: food, music, entertainment of all kinds, and art installations throughout.
    Starting at 6pm on 4th Ave, the Procession is a taste of the strange and wonderful for our regular nightlifers. The purpose of this event is to remember those who have passed, and celebrate life and death. Many Mouths One Stomach, the group that has organized the event for so long, calls the Procession an example of “festal culture,” meaning it is a way of gaining closure and/or expressing oneself through public rituals and celebrations. The parade is planned for nearly half the year by artists and volunteers who help make masks and puppets of all sizes. About 20,000 people participate each year, making it one of our most popular nightlife traditions.
    Interested in taking part? Get involved a little, or dive in! You can help make masks and puppets at the weekly workshops (check the link below for more details), attend the Support All Souls Procession Benefit on October 16th at Hotel Congress, or simply show up at the procession if you’re wanting to check it out. The actual procession is free of charge and open to all ages. The organizers of the event encourage anyone to join in, but please, do not behave in an inappropriate way. Many Mouths makes it clear in their website that this event should be safe to take your great grandmother to. So break out of your shell, but don’t break into anyone else’s. The goal is to avoid the need for police assistance.
    Another very cool way to get involved? Send a picture! If you have a picture of a deceased relative you wish to honor, you can submit it at the All Souls Procession website! The photo is put in the archive as part of the digital altar, and the image is projected along with others on the procession’s route. It’s just one of the very cool ways you can remember your ancestors and be a part of this fantastic event. Listing all of the amazing details would take too long, but if you’re interested in this or something similar, check out the All Souls website for lots of cool ways to participate.
    The finale of the event is the burning of a giant urn which is filled with mementos, prayers and hopes submitted by participants. Again, anyone can join in and add something to the urn. It’s a beautiful, ceremonious end to a wonderful Tucson tradition. The Procession isn’t the typical party; it’s really a place where you are encouraged to break out of your ordinary routine and do what you feel like. Celebrate your loved ones in a way that feels right to you, express yourself in a way that you haven’t been able to before. Please visit any of the websites below to get involved in any capacity or simply find out more about All Souls Procession.

Links:
www.allsoulsprocession.org
www.manymouths.org
www.fourthavenue.org

October 1, 2009

Rocking at the Rialto: Club Crawl is all about the love of music!

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Hello Music Lovers,

If you love music and I mean if you really love music then Club Crawl is your event this weekend! This is the place to come if you want to hear a variety of music and just have some good old fashion fun while walking the downtown streets of Tucson. Just let the music take you away from your mundane existence called work into another level of tranquility. What? But, who wants to do that? I am all about the loud music that gets me up out of my everyday existence and gets me out on that dance floor! Club Crawl is on Saturday, October 3 with 25 stages of live music both outdoor and indoor. The music begins after 7pm and you can be part of Tucson’s classic music fest.

Bands like The Jons whose multitalented band members with their eclectic mix of Latin rock and unique big sound will electrify you in your shoes. Jon the lead singer will rock you with his trumpet blazing solos and smooth harmonies. Then stay tune for the hypnotic psychedelic riffs, rhythmic drums and alluring vocals from Mostly Bears. The band’s unique style and performance will captivate you all evening with their glow in the dark physique. Plus, Sergio Mendoza y La Orkestra with their instrumental and Latin beat that will call to you like an uncontrollable force to get up and dance like most of the band on the stage. All three bands will be playing at the Rialto Theatre this Saturday. Along with a solo acoustics by Brian Lopez at 8, Salvador Duran at 9, The Jons at 10, Mostly Bears at 11, and Sergio Y La Orkestra at midnight. Show should be awesome with that lineup!!!

I had the pleasure of speaking with all three bands this week. When I the question “what do you love about performing at Club Crawl?” Sergio said “I love playing with my band and the best part is putting together the music arrangements, and seeing the different types of people at Club Crawl, which is all very exciting!” He continued by saying that he “loves music and was born to play since he was five years old. Music is my passion…and it’s great to see all the people come out who may not know who my band is but can appreciate the music.”

I also spoke to Mostly Bears lead singer and front man Brian Lopez who was excited to be playing with the line up at the Rialto. We are a group of friends (the band) who love to play music, love music, and creating music in general. My lyrics are vague and general because we want our audience to bring their own ideas, emotions, and impression to the music. The music should transcend normal realms and skip the BS. We are in a unique position to be musicians and to do music we love but it’s our profession and it takes a lot of work.

Plus Brian added, “I work with a great group of guys and we love what we do and want to thank our fans that come out and support us every show and show us such love.” *Upcoming project to look forward to by the Mostly Bears is a European Tour with Marianne Dissard in November and to December 2009.

When I spoke to Jon from The Jons he is “excited to see all the new people who come out on this event and experience the music for the first time and they (the band) feel like they have left an impression and mark on the music scene.” The Jons have been on the music scene since 2000 but Jon had been playing music all his life and influenced greatly by his family. “My brother Narciso was the first to teach me the trumpet and gave me some tips along the way.” Most of Jon’s knowledge of the trumpet comes from his early days at school and being part of a community of musicians even back then. They have learned so much from their experience in the profession and being on the road. “I love touring, playing music, sharing my love of music and being around my brothers who are in the same boat as I am. Club Crawl is a great place for exposure and getting our name out which is like a domino effect one person tells another and soon our music is heard by a wider audience.”

Some other bands playing at the event downtown are; Holy Rolling Empire, Static Session, Molehill Orkestrah, Four Killer Flats and many more. If you like to get away and be out on the town then Claw Crawl is your adventure this weekend. The whole event will take place at various venues Rialto Theatre, Hotel Congress, The District, Sharks, Vaudeville, Zen Rock, Sapphire, O’Malley’s, The Hut, The Red Room, Enoteca, Cushing Street, Café Passe, Delectables, Martin’s, Magpies, Café Vicente, Delectables, Chocolate Iguana, Shot In The Dark Café, and Winsett Park.

Tickets can be bought at any local Zia Records on Speedway and the one on Oracle road. Wristbands/Tickets will cost $8 dollars in advance and $10 dollars at the door.

Hope to see you there,
Steffy
nightlifetucson.com