The new year not only brings students and classes back to Tucson but also a rich lineup of music, arts and cultures; events are springing up left and right.
One popular event is presented by the non-profit organization, Jazz in January, which hosts the Tucson Jazz Festival, running from January 11-21.
This year will be the fourth year of the festival.
Many different jazz artists will be performing at venues all over the Old Pueblo, and the festival is expected to have an attendance of around 20,000, Jazz artists including, Sheila E., Arturo Sandoval and Spyro Gyra.
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Another event, which allows patrons to experience a different culture, is The Tucson Japanese Festival, on Jan. 20, from 1-5 p.m.
This event is located at Pima Community College’s Downtown Campus, and will be hosting a variety of different events and activities.
The festival will include demonstrations such as taiko drumming, martial arts, dance performances and smaller events such as origami. They will also have Japanese food for everyone to enjoy.
A geology activity, called The Gem and Jam Festival, has an expected attendance of over 55,000 people, which takes place on January 25-28.
Many people come from all over to see and show off different fossils, gems, and minerals as well as “jam” to electronic dance music.
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This is the 12th year Tucson hosts the festival.
The Wings Over Willcox Birding and Nature Festival will run from Jan. 11-14. The festival provides the opportunity to hike in the Sky Islands and tour the local wildlife.
Another event is the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival, which will be from Jan. 11-21. This festival showcases around 20 independent, international films about Jewish culture. According to the website, this is the longest-running Jewish film festival in the country, with over 3,000 people expected to attend.
The Zoppé Family Circus brings Italian circus fun to Tucson from Jan. 12-21. This is the seventh year of acrobats, equestrian shows and canine stunts. The show includes lots of audience participation and is held in at Mercado San Agustin.
The Catalina Organ Festival provides a different type of music. Held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Catalina United Methodist Church. Musician Katelyn Emerson, the 2016 First Prize winner of the American Guild of Organists and the Associate Organist and Choir Master at The Church of the Advent in Boston, will perform on the 3,000 pipe organ.
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