Arts & Entertainment

Arts & Entertainment

Lauryn Hill Cosigns Fellow Rapper Doechii During Breathtaking Performance

By Cristian Padilla Photo from Doechii’s NPR Tiny Desk Grammy-award winning artist Doechii was invited on stage by Ms. Lauryn Hill to rap her Billboard No. 1 hit song during her headliner set at the Jazz in the Gardens music festival March 8. An exhilarating set that fans definitely enjoyed.  Lauryn Hill performing with Doechii. Photo by JLN Photography/Shutterstock Doechii thanked her idol on X, saying "Thank you Miss Lauryn Hill. Thank you. My heart is so full. She is my hero. This is the greatest honor hip hop could give me. Praise God." She continued with "my entire body is vibrating with joy right now. I'll never forget this day! EVER!", showing her appreciation to Hill for the opportunity.  Coming off of her Grammy winning mixtape "Alligator Bites Never He...
Pima Arts

2025 Pima Spring Music Showcase Review

By Jaymes Grace The Pima Community College Orchestra On March 30 Pima Music presented its Spring Music Showcase at The Center for Performing Arts located at Pima Community College West Campus. Performing in order were the concert band, followed by the orchestra, chorale & college singers, guitar ensemble, jazz combo and the Mariachi ensemble.  Held in the Proscenium Theatre concert hall were both the concert band and the orchestra. To open, the concert band first performed a piece entitled “Keeper of the House”. It was a perfect opening for the showcase—gentle, soft and soothing. It had a renaissance sound with its use of fluted instruments and accompanying drums. The Pima Community College Concert Band The second piece called “Rippling Watercolors” was orig...
Review of Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” 
Arts & Entertainment

Review of Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR’s “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” 

By Cristian Padilla Photo by Getty Images. “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” is Drake's newest album in collaboration with PARTYNEXTDOOR. This is his first release since the mind-blowing Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl performance. With 21 tracks and a runtime of 74 minutes, is it even worth listening to?  Drake has been known for releasing subpar projects as of late. With a new collaborator in the mix, it could’ve been different this time and exceeded everyone's expectations. Along with having a questionable title, neither artist delivered the way fans hoped. While many were waiting for a classic R&B sound, they were met with another sound more similar to Drake's more recent projects.   As the album begins, we're hit with Drake being basic and trying to return to his root...
A Look Back at PCC’s Production of “Dracula”
Arts & Entertainment, Pima Arts, Pima Theatre, Top Stories

A Look Back at PCC’s Production of “Dracula”

By Victoria Gross A scene from Pima Community College’s production of “Dracula”. Photo from Pima Arts’ Instagram Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” is a hallmark of Halloween and an inspiration to goths everywhere. Naturally, the Pima Community College theatre department’s opening night of the stage adaptation was sold out. Meg O’Connor’s adaptation, directed by Maryann Green, took place from Oct. 17-27 at the Black Box Theatre at Pima’s Center for the Arts. The production ran as smooth as a well-oiled machine without a single faulty part. The crew created a bewitching atmosphere. The room was dark except for a few candles which lit the simple, yet eye-catching set. Eerie music set the mood. The lights went out, and the play began. The rhythm and harmony created by the ensemble actors...
Stepping Back into the 80s with ‘The Wedding Singer’
Arts & Entertainment, Pima Arts, Pima Theatre, Top Stories

Stepping Back into the 80s with ‘The Wedding Singer’

By Emmy Anderson Scene from "The Wedding Singer". Photo by Pima Community College Arts “The Wedding Singer” at Pima Community College brings the 80s to life with energy and joy. The PCC student adaption is directed and choreographed by Simone Jolivet-Manuel, with Chris Will as assistant director and Mickey Nugent as assistant choreographer. The dynamic choreography electrifies the stage, and the soundtrack will stay with you long after the final bow. It’s an evening of fun and nostalgia. At its heart, “The Wedding Singer” is about finding yourself, embracing the chaos and of course, classic 80s romance. The creative team set out to bring a new perspective to the show that feels just as nostalgic. “We needed something different. Something a little more current, a little more re...
“Bigger than the Music”: Examining Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show
Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Events, Politics, Reviews, Sports, Top Stories

“Bigger than the Music”: Examining Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show

By Emmanuel Rodriguez Kendrick Lamar performing during the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on Feb. 9. Photo by Bob Kupbens, Icon Sportswire, Getty Images All eyes were on Kendrick Lamar on Feb. 9 with viewers tuning in to watch his much anticipated 2025 Superbowl LIX Halftime Show. Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist, showed up and showed out with his prevalent symbolism, song choices and allusion to the daily experience of being Black in America throughout his performance. The Compton-born artist performed a variety of hits from his repertoire including “luther” featuring SZA, “Humble” from his album DAMN and his Billboard record-breaking hit “Not Like Us”.  The performance served as a love letter to Black America and a critique of the divided America we live in. Fans and sp...
January’s Most Captivating Albums
Arts & Entertainment, Opinion, Reviews, Top Stories

January’s Most Captivating Albums

By Cristian Padilla Photo by Tada Images This year started off strong musically. Coming off of 2024, with pop culture at one of the most active points it has ever been with iconic moments such as BRAT summer and the Drake/Kendrick Lamar beef, everyone is waiting for what's next. Will 2025 surpass or even live up to the hype 2024 had? These January releases offer hope that captivating artistry will continue into the year. “Eusexua” by FKA twigs “Eusexua”, released Jan. 24, is FKA Twig’s third full-length album. With 11 tracks and a runtime of 42 minutes, it has become a fan favorite for those in the art pop and electronic scene. Characterized by its deep emotion and raw energy, it speaks of transcending the human plane to become an amoeba of feeling.  It opens with t...
Behind The Loft Cinema’s Expansion
Arts & Entertainment, Features, Pima News, Top Stories

Behind The Loft Cinema’s Expansion

By Lucia Grijalva Side-view of The Loft Cinema's renovation under construction. Photo by Roman Contreras. Local Tucson treasure The Loft Cinema first announced their expansion campaign via their Instagram page on July 15, 2024. Plans initially began under wraps with their quiet start (or soft launch) back in 2023. From 2023 up until their announcement date this past July, the donation pool reached a near-total of $2 million. Now, as of January 2025, a whopping near $4 million has been amassed in total.  The renovation will transform the well-known and well-loved institution. The money raised is also funding an added expansion to the current campus. In the updated version of The Loft, visitors can expect to see a new fourth screen/indoor theater, an outdoor rooftop cinema ...
Old Pueblo Playwrights Annual New Play Festival Returns
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Old Pueblo Playwrights Annual New Play Festival Returns

By Carol B. Somer, Communications for Old Pueblo Playwrights From left to right, Eric Everts, Meagan Jones, Sydney Flynn and Scott Berg act in a staged reading, and premiere of Leslie Powell’s “Crossroads.” TUCSON, Ariz. — Old Pueblo Playwrights presents staged readings of 17 original works by 11 playwrights, some award-winning, at its 36th Annual New Play Festival. No tickets needed; $10 per show; no credit cards. Just arrive at the Temple of Music and Art’s Cabaret Theatre before 7 p.m. on Feb. 6 through 9—or before 2 p.m. on weekends. Prepare to laugh, cry, consider provocative ideas and talk back! Visit https://oldpuebloplaywrights.org for more info. The Temple of Music and Art’s Cabaret Theatre is located at 330 S. Scott Ave. Old Pueblo Playwrights also welcome student...
Spring 2025 Dance/Movement Courses at PCC: Embrace Your Rhythm and Fitness Journey
Arts & Entertainment, Education, Health, Pima Arts, Pima News, Top Stories

Spring 2025 Dance/Movement Courses at PCC: Embrace Your Rhythm and Fitness Journey

By Rebecca Ursule Photo by Pima Community College Pima Community College offers an array of dance (DNC) and movement classes that not only provide a fun exercise experience but also contribute towards academic goals. From Ballet to Jazz, Modern Dance to Ballroom and even specialized classes like Belly Dance and Pilates, there's something for every dancer or fitness enthusiast to explore. PCC DNC Classes: Where Fitness Meets Artistry Pima Community College's DNC classes are conducted on real dance floors, allowing students to immerse themselves in the art and joy of movement. These classes are designed to enhance coordination, flexibility and overall physical fitness while also nurturing creativity and expression. What's more, many of these classes can be counted towards As...