Thursday Oct. 14
Screening of “”Zen in Ryoko-in”” at the UA Poetry Center
Bet you didn’t know that the founder of the University of Arizona Poetry Center is named Ruth Stephan. Bet you didn’t know that she made a documentary called “”Zen in Ryoko-in”” in 1971. Find out what else you don’t know about Ruth Stephan and centuries-old Zen Buddhist rituals by watching her 70-minute film at the Poetry Center this Thursday.
Poetry Center
1508 E. Helen St.
8 p.m., free
Top Dead Center at The Hut
If you’re going to The Hut on Thursday be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. Top Dead Center, Tucson’s eminent Grateful Dead cover band, will be jamming out until the LSD wares off. TDC has been performing since 1999.
The Hut, 305 N. Fourth Ave.
9:30 p.m., free
Friday Oct. 15
Marianne Dissard and Friends at Solar Culture
Marianne Dissard will take the stage with her Europe 2011 touring band, made up of Sergio Mendoza, Brian Lopez, and Gabriel Sullivan. Guest musicians like Salvador Duran will join the fun. This performance is part of the two-day celebration of “”Lonely Cowgirls,”” a collaborative film project between Dissard and the Parasol Project performance art troupe. The film is a companion to Dissard’s upcoming album L’Abandon.
Solar Culture
31 E. Toole Ave.
9 p.m., $7
Five for Fighting at Club Congress
“”More than a bird. More than a plane.”” It’s … a multi-platinum singer-songwriter! John Ondrasik, better known as Five for Fighting, is dropping into Club Congress this Friday. Expect old chart-toppers like “”Superman (It’s not Easy)”” and “”100 Years,”” along with tracks from his 2009 album, Slice. Disclaimer: there will be no actual fighting.
Club Congress
311 E. Congress St.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
$28 advance, $30 day of show
Saturday Oct. 16
Van Gogh Rescue CD release show at Plush
Local progressive/funk/alternative players Van Gogh Rescue are unleashing their debut album “”From the Top of Your Lungs”” with an all-night show at Plush. A sonic mix between the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus and Pink Floyd, VGR is a unique new force in the local scene. Expect to hear more of them. Also performing at Plush are Fort Worth and The Avalanche Symphony.
Plush
340 E. Sixth St.
Doors open at 9 p.m., $5
Sunday Oct. 17
SABHF Blues & Heritage Festival at Reid Park
Monday is a drag. Get your blues out this Sunday at the Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Foundation’s Blues & Heritage Festival at Reid Park. This year’s lineup features LA-based blues- and soul-singer Javina Magness, Neon Prophet, Sergio Mendoza y la Orkestra, The Coolers, The Sugar Thieves, and more. For the complete lineup visit http://www.azblues.org/Festival.
Reid Park
3400 E Camino Campestre
11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., $10
