Wednesday
The Too-Many-Shows-&-Fundraisers Show. Win number one right off the bat — how could you not want to visit an art exhibit with such an original name? And it’s free! The exhibit holds sculptures and paintings from the artists including Alex Arshansky, Lee Roy Beach, Grace Ciotti, Fred Collins, Steven Derks, Darenthia Grayson, Zoe Hale, Jane Hendrickson and Mary Wyant. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Find it at Art Gallery, 1122 N. Stone Ave. Call 624-7099 for more information.
You live in Tucson, so chances are you have strong feelings one way or another about ironic hipster facial hair. To learn more about this phenomenon, or to listen to some hilarious standup comedy, or both, check out the Beards of Comedy Tour tonight at Club Congress. These four funny guys blend stand-up with music, sketch and improv comedy techniques into their show. Find it at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. $8 advance, $10 at the door. 8 p.m. 21+
Thursday
Check out the film “”Who Do You Love?”” Presented by The Tucson International Jewish Film Festival at The Loft Cinema. The movie captures the fascination Leonard Chess developed for 1940s blues while living in Chicago, how he took that fascination and built the record company Chess Records, and thus launched singers like Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry into the limelight. The show will start rolling at 7 p.m. Post showing, Phil Chess, co-founder of Chess Records, will be available for a Q&A. Find The Loft Cinema at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Tickets are $7 with a student ID.
The UA Poetry Center hosts a reading by two alumni of the UA’s creative writing MFA program. David Wojahn and Ann Cummins will each read their work. Both are the authors of several books of poetry. Find it at the Poetry Center, 1508 E. Helen St. 8 p.m. Free.
Friday
“”Tiny Furniture,”” winner of the Best Narrative Feature award at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival, opens at The Loft Cinema. You could not ask for anything more fantastically drab/out of this world — it will make you smile and smirk and snort with laughter. Director/writer/actress Lena Dunham makes every college graduate’s worst nightmare come true in her catalogue of post-graduate delirium. Find it at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
If you’ve all but given up on your New Year’s resolution to get in shape, make a last-ditch effort by taking a short, guided hike. Naturalist Meg Quinn will guide this easy-to-moderate trek from 8 a.m. to noon in the Tucson Mountains. Reservations are required. Call 615-7855 or email eeducation@pima.gov for more information. Free. Find it at the Cat Mountain Trailhead in Tucson Mountain Park, 3300 S. Sarasota Blvd.
Saturday
Get in touch with your Secretariat side and spend the afternoon at the Rillito Park Horse Racetrack. Heavily ornamented hats are encouraged. $8 for Clubhouse admission will secure you access to the restaurant and bar; $5 for Grandstand admission will get you up close and personal with the snack and beverage bars. Gates open at 11 a.m., and racing commences at 1 p.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. Find it at 4502 N. First Ave. Call 293-5011 for more information.
Pop on your pork pie, strap up those suspenders and grab a stogie. The 1930s are coming to Hotel Congress (again)! The club bills the Congress Speakeasy as a 1930s variety show, featuring comedy, vintage cocktails, and live music from dUO VibrAto and other bands. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Arizona Rangers, who have been an Arizona civilian law enforcement fixture since 1901. The show runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.
Sunday
Feeling classy? Check out our very own UA opera singers at 2 p.m. The talented ladies and gentlemen will be competing for scholarships granted by the Amelia Rieman Opera Competition. Find it at the UA School of Music building in Crowder Hall. It’s free!
I see much free-association in your future. Stop by the Sheraton Four Points, 1900 E. Speedway Blvd., to unlock the mysteries of the past, present, and future at the phsychic/holistic fair. Participate in palm readings, listen to lectures, and learn the hottest new healing methods from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5. Vendors set their own prices. Visit tucsonpsychicfair.com for more information. They’ll be expecting you.
Monday
Remember back in 1999 when you used to lie on your bed, listening to Guster, and think: “”It just can’t get any better than this””? Me neither, but they are playing with Good Old War at the Rialto Theatre at 7 p.m. Find it at 318 E. Congress St. Tickets are $21.50 in advance and $24.50 at the door. All ages. Go ahead and reminisce about the days of old, thanks to songs like “”Satellite”” and “”One Man Wrecking Machine.””
If you’re into the finer things, soedn the night at UA Crowder Hall (Speedway Boulevard and Park Avenue). Violinist James Buswell, cellist Carol Ou and pianist Paula Fan will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $11 for general admission, $9 for UA employees and seniors ages 55 and older, and $5 for students. Call 621-1162 for tickets.
