Twilight Third Thursdays

 Join your fellow Tucsonans at the Tucson Botanical Gardens this summer for hot, steamy evenings filled with glorious visuals and vocals.  At twilight each Third Thursday, the Gardens will host dynamite local talent in the form of visual and performing arts for the perfect evening out.  Let your experience be quenched by a cool drink or a refreshing cup of ice cream by Isabella’s Ice Cream.  You can even get your face painted!  It is the perfect event for a date or an outing with the whole family.

June 20
Jenny Day, These trace remains | Music by Tesoro| Flights of Fancy birdhouse exhibit

Currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Painting at the University of Arizona, Jenny Day has been creative most of her life, with piano and pie-making as loves that have had to take a backseat to her visual art. Her work is often inspired by the many places she has lived in, most recently a remote off-the-grid cabin in Alaska. Her canvases often leave the viewer wondering which blanks to fill in, trying to understand all the things not said.  These paintings are beautiful yet disturbing – evoking a memory from ones’ past or from a dream – you can never tell for sure.

To complement Jenny’s often unnerving work, Tesoro’s sound is shocking in its own way, their passion seductive. This mesmerizing world music mixture combines flamenco roots and Latin jazz rhythms that enlighten and motivate.The group was named Best Latin Band for the Tammies this year (Tucson Area Music Awards). Tucson Lifestyle Magazine named Tesoro as Top Local Entertainment in February 2012.

Of course,  don’t miss a walk through the Backyard Bird Garden; a last look at the 40+ original birdhouses on display that will be lit up for viewing.

July 18
The work of David Kish and Holly Swangtu |

Music by Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl

These two artists, both living in Tucson, have never met, and yet their imagery is uncannily complementary, although quite differently executed.  Kish, with his delicate, full-scale saguaro rubbings, makes the iconic patterns of the Sonoran Desert come alive with an element of surprise. Swangtu with her richly-dyed fibers, creates a similar synergy with her surrounding desert home. 

Up from Bisbee for the evening, to match this vibrant visual work, comes the great songwriting of Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl – a beautiful, harmonic folk-pop group with a distinctly desert feel. Winner of the 2008 Tammie for best folk group, they offer up a somewhat biting yet straightforward Western style.

August 15
C.J. Shane | music by The Cordials

C.J. Shane is a visual artist and writer.  Throughout the years, she has experimented in several media, but her primary interest is in painting, artists’ books and relief printmaking.  Shane exhibits nationally and internationally and her work is found in private and institutional collections.

The natural world, especially the beautiful Sonoran Desert, continues to be the greatest source of grounding and inspiration in Shane’s life and work.  She is also deeply influenced by the cultures of Mexico and China, two countries where she has lived and traveled extensively.

To accompany her work you’re in for a treat with The Cordials who, since Zocalo Magazine first outed them as a band in July of 2011, have been inching their way into Tucson’s ear. A regular supergroup, the band is comprised of members of Silver Thread Trio, Seashell Radio, the Modeens and Saint Maybe, and combines elements of rock, pop, surf and country into a wonderfully gritty style all their own.

September 19
85712 (a group show by artists living and working within this Tucson ZIP code) | Music by Mustang Corners

Who knows what’s in store for the month of September in Porter Hall Gallery, with this first ever curated group show from artists living within the Tucson ZIP code, 85712?  A call for entries is currently out but the results are not yet in – stay tuned for what ends up on the walls that month.  Bringing a pulse to these walls is the sounds of Mustang Corners .

Mustang Corners is named after one of their many grammatically challenged, illegibly written songs. Now they singing those challenged songs all over the pueblo of Tucson. So lift that glass or even say a prayer and come along for a ride with Mustang Corners. Check em out, why not, they really put a whole new twist on the Americana genre.

Event Details
Thursdays, June 20, July 18, August 15 and September 19
5 to 8 p.m.
Cash bar & food,  ice cream and face painting available
Adults $9, Children $5

Member Adults $5, Member Children $3

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