You know how a caterpillar hangs out in a chrysalis, safe from outside elements until the timing is right to emerge and transform into a butterfly?
That鈥檚 kind of what it鈥檚 felt like throughout Tucson鈥檚 live entertainment industry since the COVID-19 pandemic closed everything down in March 2020.
Orchestras, theater troupes, choirs and rock bands all hunkered down waiting for the timing to be right to re-emerge in a quasi post-pandemic world.
We鈥檙e there 鈥 sort of.
While everyone has planned out big back-to-live-entertainment seasons with uplifting titles like 蜜聊直播 Friends of Chamber Music鈥榮 鈥淎 Fresh Season鈥 and 鈥榮 鈥淎 New Day: Imagine A World Transformed,鈥 COVID numbers are still registering north of where health officials had hoped and the number of people getting vaccinated is far south of where we thought we鈥檇 be.
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Which is why Tucson鈥檚 largest independent venues 鈥 Fox Tucson Theatre, Rialto Theatre and Hotel Congress 鈥 have adopted stricter COVID-19 protocols including that ticketholders provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test before attending an event.
That policy, adopted by independent venues around the country, went into effect Sept. 20, and Tucson Symphony Orchestra and 蜜聊直播 Friends of Chamber Music are among the arts organizations following suit.
As Fox Executive Director Bonnie Schock said recently, if venues don鈥檛 ensure that audiences and artists feel safe coming back to the theater, the industry will suffer.
鈥淚f the music industry is to survive, we must do this,鈥 she said.
We encourage you to research the protocols before you buy a ticket or head out to a venue for a show. We also expect some events will be postponed or called off as a result of the health situation.
Tucson arts organizations and venues have combined to present well over 100 events between now and the end of December, from rock shows and festivals to symphonies and Broadway plays including the highly anticipated 2陆-week run of 鈥淗amilton鈥 Nov. 17-Dec. 5. We鈥檝e compiled the lists to help you plan out your perfect return to live performances.
Theater
蜜聊直播 Arts Live
The theater piece 鈥淐artography鈥 combines storytelling with interactive video technology and runs Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 at Marroney Theatre on the University of 蜜聊直播 campus.
Formerly UA Presents, the University of 蜜聊直播 arts presenter hosts events at venues throughout Tucson in a variety of genres from music to performance art. Find more information or get tickets at .
Cartography live documentary, Oct. 27-29, UA Marroney Theatre
The University of 蜜聊直播 theater presents professional-quality performances by students at the Tornabene Theatre on campus. Get tickets through
鈥淚nto the Woods,鈥 Oct. 10-24.
鈥淭hree Sisters,鈥 Nov. 7-21.
鈥淓verybody,鈥 Dec. 3-5.
Performances are at the Temple of Music and Art downtown. Get tickets through .
鈥淢y 80-year-old Boyfriend,鈥 Sept. 25-Oct. 16.
鈥淢iss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley,鈥 Nov. 6-Dec. 4.
The arts education program is the regional leader in musical theater. Tickets and details through .
鈥淎 Gentleman鈥檚 Guide to Love and Murder,鈥 Oct. 22-31.
鈥淲hite Christmas,鈥 Dec. 3-19.
Performances are held at Centennial Hall on the UA campus. Tickets through .
鈥淎lton Brown Live: Beyond the Eats,鈥 Nov. 10.
鈥淗amilton,鈥 Nov. 17-Dec. 5.
Family friendly performances include matinee shows. Tickets through the .
鈥淔rankenstein,鈥 now through Nov. 7.
鈥淓lf鈥檇,鈥 Nov. 11-Jan. 2.
The company is in its 50th season. Performances are at its venue. Get tickets through .
鈥淟ooped鈥 by Matthew Lombardo, now through Sept. 26.
50th Anniversary Retro-Spectacular Cabaret, Oct. 30-31.
The company mounts a children鈥檚 theater program in addition to its mainstage performances. Tickets and reservations through
Tyler West鈥檚 鈥淭he Conundrum at Camp Catalina,鈥 now through Sept. 26.
Steven Dietz鈥檚 鈥淏loomsday,鈥 now through Oct. 9.
Performances are at the West Campus on Anklam Road. Tickets through .
鈥淟ittle Shop of Horrors, 鈥 Nov. 11-21.
鈥淓lf Elegies: Essential Workers of the North Pole,鈥 Dec. 4-5.
In addition to the live performance, the theater is offering video options for those who aren鈥檛 comfortable returning to in-person performances. Tickets and details at .
鈥淭he Awakening鈥 by Kate Chopin, now through Sept. 26.
Shakespeare鈥檚 鈥淭welfth Night,鈥 Nov. 4-21.
The award-winning professional company has dubbed its fifth season 鈥淒reams of A New World.鈥 Tickets through
鈥淏abel,鈥 now through Oct. 3.
鈥淢ary鈥檚 Wedding,鈥 Oct. 21-Nov. 7.
鈥淎 Sonoran Desert Carol,鈥 Dec. 9-19.
Performances are held at Desert View High School, 4101 E. Valencia Road. Tickets through
鈥淣unsense,鈥 Sept. 24-Oct. 3.
Pima Community College鈥檚 Fall Dance performance will showcase faculty and student choreography Dec. 10-11.
Sept. 26 鈥 Rickie Lee Jones, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Sept. 27 鈥 Waxahatchee, Hotel Congress Plaza.
Sept. 30 鈥 Shannon & The Clams, Hotel Congress Plaza.
Oct 1 鈥 Realize CD release party, Club Congress.
191 Toole kicks off next month with Canadian duo Cleopatrick on Oct. 1.
Oct. 1 鈥 Cleopatrick, 191 Toole.
Oct. 1-3 鈥 Tucson Music & Film Festival, The Screening Room.
Oct. 2 鈥 Algiers, Club Congress.
Oct. 5 鈥 Butcher Babies, 191 Toole.
Oct. 8 鈥 Champagne Drip, 191 Toole.
Oct. 9 鈥 Tommie Sunshine, 191 Toole.
Oct. 9 鈥 Angel Du$t, Club Congress.
Oct. 10 鈥 Sweeping Promises, Club Congress.
Oct. 13 鈥 Exsul, Club Congress.
Oct. 14 鈥 Limbeck, Club Congress.
Oct. 15 鈥 Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 16 鈥 The Score, Club Congress.
The Psychedelic Furs return to the Rialto Theatre on Oct. 16.
Oct. 16 鈥 The Psychedelic Furs, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 16 鈥 Tops, 191 Toole.
Oct. 17 鈥 Skillet, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 19 鈥 Candlebox, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 21 鈥 Black Jacket Symphony, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 22 鈥 The Fab Four Ultimate Tribute, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 22 鈥 Chris Isaak, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Oct. 22 鈥 Post Animal and Hot Flash Heat Wave, 191 Toole.
Oct. 23 鈥 Starcrawler, 191 Toole.
Oct. 26 鈥 Jason Bonham鈥檚 Led Zeppelin Evening, Tucson Music Hall.
Oct. 27 鈥 Squirrel Nut Zippers, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 29 鈥 Circle Jerks, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 29 鈥 Mayer Hawthorne, Hotel Congress Plaza.
Nov. 1 鈥 Heartless Bastards, 191 Toole.
Nov. 1 鈥 George Clanton, Club Congress.
Nov. 2 鈥 Kikagaku Moyo, Hotel Congress Plaza.
Nov. 3 鈥 Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular, Rialto Theatre.
Indie rock band Japanese Breakfast plays Club Congress Nov. 3.
Nov. 3 鈥 Japanese Breakfast, Club Congress.
Nov. 3 鈥 Code Orange, 191 Toole.
Nov. 4 鈥 Hobo Johnson & The Lovemakers, 191 Toole.
Nov. 5 鈥 Snarky Puppy, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 5 鈥 Crystal Method, 191 Toole.
Nov. 5 鈥 Atlanta Rhythm Section, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Nov. 6 鈥 Blue Oyster Cult, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 7 鈥 Blackberry Smoke, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 8 鈥 Ohtis, Club Congress.
Nov. 10 鈥 Negativland, Club Congress.
Nov. 11 鈥 The Meteors, Club Congress.
Nov. 12 鈥 The Beach Boys, AVA.
Nov. 13 鈥 Birdtalker, 191 Toole.
Nov. 13 鈥 REO Speedwagon, Tucson Music Hall.
Nov. 13-14 鈥 Dusk Music Festival, Jacome Plaza.
Nov. 15 鈥 Grayscale, 191 Toole.
Nov. 16 鈥 Death Bells, Club Congress.
Nov. 19 鈥 The Black Angels, 191 Toole.
Nov. 19 鈥 GWAR, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 20 鈥 Igor & the Red Elvises, 191 Toole.
Nov. 23 鈥 Black Label Society, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 26 鈥 Black Veil Brides, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 28 鈥 Tonstartssbandht, Club Congress.
Dec. 5 鈥 Katz煤 Oso, Club Congress.
Dec. 7 鈥 Luna Luna, Club Congress.
Dec. 13 鈥 Deeper Graves, Club Congress.
Dec. 29 鈥 Buckcherry, Rialto Theatre.
Lindsey Buckingham will bring new material when he plays the Fox Tucson Theatre Dec. 5.
Country/Christian
Oct. 2 鈥 Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 8 鈥 Asleep at the Wheel, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Oct. 8 鈥 Midland, AVA.
Oct. 14 鈥 Robert Earl Keen, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 22 鈥 Gary Allan, Tucson Music Hall.
Oct. 24 鈥 Amy Grant, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Oct. 31 鈥 Jamey Johnson, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 5 鈥 Martina McBride, Tucson Music Hall.
Nov. 6 鈥 Michigan Rattlers, 191 Toole.
Nov. 6 鈥 Zach Williams, Tucson Music Hall.
Nov. 11 鈥 Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 26 鈥 Sara Evans, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Dec. 3 鈥 Bartees Strange, 191 Toole.
Dec. 5 鈥 Lindsey Buckingham, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Dec. 6 鈥 Purity Ring, Rialto Theatre.
Hip-hop/R&B
Oct. 1 鈥 Tech N9ne, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 18 鈥 Isaiah Rashad, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 22 鈥 98 Degrees and Bell Biv DeVoe, AVA.
Oct. 30 鈥 Boldy James, 191 Toole.
Nov. 2 鈥 OhGeesy of Shoreline Mafia, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 17 鈥 San Holo, Rialto Theatre.
World/Latin
Sept. 29 鈥 Zoe, Rialto Theatre.
Sept. 30 鈥 Metalachi, 191 Toole.
Las Cafeteras brings its brand of Latin roots music to the MSA Annex on Oct. 8.
Oct. 8 鈥 Las Cafeteras (蜜聊直播 Arts Live), MSA Annex.
Oct. 8 鈥 Le Vent du Nord, Berger Performing Arts Center.
Oct. 12 鈥 The High Kings, Rialto Theatre.
Oct. 19 鈥 Gabriel Ayala, Hotel Congress Plaza.
Oct. 27 鈥 Little Jesus, Club Congress.
Oct. 28 鈥 Mon Laferte, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 13 鈥 Lisa Morales Band, Hotel Congress Plaza.
Dec. 9 鈥 Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Fox Tucson.
Dec. 10 鈥 An Irish Christmas, Rialto Theatre.
Dec. 11 鈥 Revoluci贸n de Amor, Rialto Theatre.
Dec. 16 鈥 Mary Lattimore, Club Congress.
Blues/folk/Americana/Jazz
Sept. 25 鈥 TKMA fundraiser, Monterey Court.
Sept. 27 鈥 Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, 191 Toole.
Sept. 26 鈥 Samantha Fish, 191 Toole.
Oct. 5 鈥 Pat Metheny, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Oct. 8 鈥 Lizzy & the Triggermen, Hotel Congress Plaza.
Blues guitarist Bob Margolin will join forces with Phoenix harmonica powerhouse Bob Corritore for a Fall Blues Revue at the MSA Annex, Oct. 16.聽
Oct. 16 鈥 Fall Blues Revue with Bob Margolin, MSA Annex.
Oct. 26 鈥 Lydia Loveless and Lilly Hiatt, Club Congress.
Nov. 6 鈥 Tommy Emmanuel, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Nov. 7 鈥 Boney James, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Nov. 9 鈥 JD Simo, 191 Toole.
Nov. 12 鈥 Slaid Cleaves and Robbie Fulks, 191 Toole.
Nov. 21 鈥 Scott Bradlee鈥檚 Postmodern Jukebox, Rialto. Theatre
Nov. 21 鈥 Paul Thorn Band, Hotel Congress Plaza.
Nov. 24 鈥 Gregory Alan Isakov, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 27 鈥 Jake Shimabukuro, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Dec. 1 鈥 Louis Prima Jr. & the Witnesses, Hotel Congress. Plaza
Dec. 3 鈥 Ann Hampton Callaway, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Dec. 4 鈥 Mary Chapin Carpenter, Marc Cohn, Shawn Colvin, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Dec. 11 鈥 The Robert Cray Band, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Dec. 11 鈥 Slim Jim Phantom Trio, Club Congress.
Dec. 17 鈥 Pokey LaFarge, Fox Tucson Theatre.
Dec. 19 鈥 B茅la Fleck, Sam Bush and others, Fox Tucson. Theatre
Comedy/Spoken word
Sept. 24 鈥 Kyle Kinane, 191 Toole.
Oct. 2 鈥 George Lopez, AVA.
Oct. 3 鈥 Jeff Dunham, Tucson Arena.
Oct. 16 鈥 John Cleese, Tucson Music Hall.
Oct. 28 鈥 Paula Poundstone, Fox Tucson.
Nov. 11 鈥 Randy Rainbow, Fox Tucson.
Nov. 13 鈥 Ryan Hamilton, Rialto Theatre.
Nov. 13 鈥 Gabriel Iglesias, AVA.
Dec. 1 鈥 Kevin Nealon, Rialto Theatre.
Kronos Quartet will be performing material from their new album 鈥淎 Thousand Thoughts鈥 with an accompanying film at Centennial Hall on Nov. 11.
Classical music
Get tickets and more information at .
鈥淎 Thousand Thoughts,鈥 film and live performance by Kronos Quartet, Nov. 11, Centennial Hall.
The group is celebrating its 40th season. 蜜聊直播 Early Music is requiring audience members to be fully vaccinated or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test within three days of the event. Get tickets through .
Aulos Ensemble final tour, Nov. 14, Grace St. Paul鈥檚 Episcopal Church.
Concerts are presented at Leo Rich Theatre unless noted. Those attending in-person performances must be fully vaccinated. Concerts also will be available online. Tickets are available through .
Pianist Maxim Lando, Oct. 17, UA鈥檚 Holsclaw Hall.
Jerusalem Quartet, Oct. 27.
Hermitage Piano Trio, Nov. 10.
Juilliard String Quartet, Nov. 17.
Cellist Jonathan Swensen and pianist Noreen Cassidy-Polera, Nov. 21.
St. Lawrence String Quartet, Dec. 8.
The volunteer choir performs at local churches. The ensemble, under the baton of Ryan Phillips, will perform a holiday concert on the following dates:
鈥 Grace St. Paul鈥檚 Episcopal Church, Dec. 10
鈥 Christ the King Episcopal Church, Dec. 12
鈥⒙燬t. Albans Episcopal Church, Dec. 17
鈥⒙燙hrist Church United Methodist, Dec. 19
Performances are at Tucson Music Hall and the Temple of Music & Art as noted. Get tickets through .
鈥淭he Copper Queen鈥 film, available online in October. Requires ticket to access stream.
鈥淓l Milagro del Recuerdo鈥 (The Miracle of Remembering), Dec. 11 and 12 at the Temple of Music & Art.
The community orchestra, under the baton of Conductor Charles Bontrager, is in its 45th season of presenting free concerts. For details, visit
鈥淭riple Threat鈥 tribute to Beethoven, Oct. 23 at Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene; and Oct. 24 at UA鈥檚 Crowder Hall.
鈥淢ade in America, Part II,鈥 Dec. 4 at Valley Presbyterian Church in Green Valley, Dec. 5 at Christ Church United Methodist.
The 60-voice community choir is celebrating its seventh year. Get tickets through
Bach, Price, Brahms & Bruckner Motets, Nov. 7, Catalina United Methodist Church.
Performances are held at Pima College west鈥檚 Center for the Arts on West Anklam Road. Get tickets through .
Pima Community College Orchestra will perform a mix of classic and contemporary pieces at a concert on Dec. 4.
Soprano Kirsten C. Kunkle and pianist Kassandra Weleck, Sept. 26.
Performing arts showcase, Oct. 17.
Guitarist Michael Lich, Oct. 21.
Cellist Juan David Mejia, Oct. 23.
Jazz ensemble, Dec. 1.
Wind ensemble, Dec. 2.
Guitar ensemble, Dec. 3.
Orchestra, Dec. 4.
Chorale and college singers, Dec. 5.
The volunteer community orchestra performs at DesertView Performing Arts Center in SaddleBrooke on Saturdays and at St. Andrew鈥檚 Presbyterian Church in Tucson on Sundays. Get tickets through
Verdi and Grieg, Oct. 16-17.
Tchaikovsky, Saint-Sa毛ns and Mendelssohn, Nov. 13-14.
The professional choir performs at venues throughout Tucson and in Green Valley as noted. Get tickets through .
鈥淔rom Darkness to Light,鈥 Oct. 22 Green Valley鈥檚 Valley Presbyterian Church, Oct. 23-24 at Catalina Foothills High School.
鈥淔rom Conflict to Peace,鈥 Nov. 19 at Valley Presbyterian Church, Nov. 20-21 at St. Andrew鈥檚 Presbyterian Church in Oro Valley.
鈥淔rom Anticipation to Joy: Lessons & Carols by Candlelight,鈥 Dec. 9 at St. Philip鈥檚 In the Hills Episcopal Church, Dec. 10 at Green Valley鈥檚 St. Francis in the Valley Episcopal Church, Dec. 11-12 (matinee only) at Catalina United Methodist Church, Dec. 12 evening at St. Alban鈥檚 Episcopal Church.
The community chorus has been around since 1949 and performs several concerts a year. Tickets and details at
Fall concert, Nov. 21, Catalina Foothills Church.
The orchestra performs its classical concerts at Tucson Music Hall and its MasterWorks concerts at Catalina Foothills High School. TSO is requiring audience members to be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test 72 hours before a concert. Tickets are available through .
Classical series:
Tchaikovsky Fourth opening night with violinist Lara St. John, Sept. 24 and 26.
Mozart鈥檚 鈥淛upiter,鈥 with cellist Amit Peled, Oct. 15 and 17.
Pianist Joyce Yang will perform Scheherazade with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra in November.
Scheherazade with pianist Joyce Yang, Nov. 12 and 14.
The Thrill of Tchaikovsky, Dec. 10 and 12.
MasterWorks series:
Brahms and Mozart, Oct. 2-3.
Mozart Symphony No. 40, Nov. 6-7.
Special events:
Messiah, Carols and Songs, with vocal soloists, Dec. 18-19, at Catalina Foothills High School.
Performances are on campus in Holsclaw and Crowder halls. Get tickets through
蜜聊直播 Symphony Orchestra, Sept. 25 and Nov. 20.
Faculty bassoonist Marissa Olegario, Sept. 29.
鈥淢usic + Festival 2021: Nadia Boulanger and her students,鈥 Oct. 8-10, school of music.
UA Philharmonic Orchestra, Oct. 8, Dec. 3.
UA Wind Symphony, Oct. 14.
UA Wind Ensemble, Oct. 15.
蜜聊直播 Wind Quintet, Oct. 21.
Opera Theatre: Copland鈥檚 鈥淭he Tender Land,鈥 Oct. 28-31.
19th annual Octubafest, Oct. 28 and 31.
68th annual Band Day, Oct. 30, 蜜聊直播 Stadium.
Chamber Music Soiree, Nov. 3.
Malleus Percussion, Nov. 4.
3rd annual UA Saxophone Day, Nov. 7.
University Community Chorus, Nov. 7.
2nd annual Tucson HarpFest, Nov. 12-13.
Collegium Musicum, Nov. 14.
An Evening of Opera Scenes, Nov. 18
Baritone Andrew Stucky and pianist Douglas Kinney Frost, Nov. 19.
2021 Vocal Arts Showcase, Nov. 20.
Coro Choral Ensemble, Nov. 21.
Treble Glee, Nov. 21.
Mariachi 蜜聊直播, Nov. 23.
Steel Pan Ensemble, Nov. 28.
Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet, Dec. 1.
UA Jazz Band and Studio Jazz Ensemble 鈥淏eyond the Pandemic,鈥 Dec. 1.
UA jazz combos, Dec. 2.
UA Wind Ensemble, Dec. 4.
William Wolfe Guitar Award Recital, Dec. 5.
Undergraduate Percussion Ensemble, Dec. 5.
Fred Fox Graduate Brass Quintet, Dec. 5.
UA Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, Dec. 7.
Tucson New Horizons Band, Dec. 12.
String Chamber Music, Dec. 14.
has nearly 50 sets and backdrops customers of all ages can use for do-it-yourself photoshoots.
The new entertainment space is the latest venture by local brothers Connor and Ian Franulovich, who also own and operate next door to the selfie museum.
Admission costs $25 and children under the age of 5 get in for free at Youniverse, located at 5750. E. Broadway Blvd.聽
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com. On Twitter @Starburch
Contact reporter Gerald M. Gay at ggay@tucson.com.
Cathalena E. Burch
Reporter
Gerald M. Gay
Reporter
New Tucson festival borrows border cultures from food and cocktails to music
