Tucson, AZ---2022 at the Fox saw the great return to the Crown Jewel of Downtown. It was a brilliant year featuring many sell- out shows, world class talents new to Tucson, expanded kid and family programming and much more. 2023 expectations are high, with a trio of outstanding shows in partnership with the Tucson Jazz Festival in January, standout bookings throughout the year like Wynton Marsalis, Rosanne Cash, Los Lobos, Melissa Etheridge, Meow Meow, John Pizzarelli, several very special National Geographic features, captivating kids shows and more. The popular 2nd Saturdays Music and Movies Series continues through the new year, as well as Cinema Tucsón’s feature films from Latin America – all on the big screen at the Fox. Let the countdown begin!
JANUARY 2023 AT THE FOX
January 14 – 2nd Saturdays at the Fox: Music & Movies Series: Monthly one-of-a-kind performances featuring outstanding local music talents paired with a musical film. Doors open at 6, live music at 7, movie at 8.
The Music: Loren Dircks and Gila Bend
Loren Dircks is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Tucson. His band, Gila Bend, helped to pioneer the Country Metal sound. The new CD, Killing the Magic (Oranguitwang), features the single "Guitar Hero Gone",
The Movie: King Creole (1958)
An Elvis Classic: A troubled youth’s singing sets New Orleans rockin’. With a sweet girl to love him and nightclubbers cheering, it seems he will shake off his past and head for the top. But will a mobster and his man trap moll snare him a life of crime.
January 15, 7pm - Matthew Whitaker Quintet with Support from the Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Big Band. This event is co-promoted with the Tucson Jazz Festival
Born in 2001, Matthew Whitaker’s love for playing music began at age 3, after his grandfather gave him a small Yamaha keyboard. At 9, Matthew began teaching himself how to play the Hammond B3 organ. Four years later, he became the youngest artist to be endorsed by Hammond—in its 80+ year history. He was also named a Yamaha Artist at 15, becoming the youngest musician to join the stellar group of jazz pianists. He’s toured both in the US and abroad, performing on prestigious stages around the country including Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts, SF Jazz Center, Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, and at international venues in France, Italy, Germany, Indonesia, UK, Australia, Switzerland, Portugal, Japan, Spain, Morocco, and South Korea to name a few. Matthew’s television appearances include FOX TV’s Showtime at the Apollo, the Today Show documentary series “Boys Changing the World,” the Harry Connick Jr Show and an appearance on the syndicated TV talk show Ellen and a segment on the most-watched news magazine on television 60 Minutes!
School Matinee: January 19, 10am - All the World's a Song: Shakespeare in Jazz
Experience excerpts from Shakespeare’s masterpieces brilliantly transformed into songs, pairing America’s essential art form—jazz—with the words of the quintessential British playwright—Shakespeare. Throughout the concert, audience members will actively participate in this engaging celebration of Shakespeare’s work, offering a new way to tap into his genius. Students are empowered to examine the impact of language– whether they are Shakespeare’s words written over 400 years ago, or how we choose to talk to one another in our daily lives. The music is composed by “stunningly original” pianist, Daniel Kelly, and it is performed by him and two other jazz musicians of the highest caliber. Registration at https://r2.dotdigital-pages.com/p/5FKZ-6T8/shakespeare-in-jazz
January 21, 7:30pm - Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling and more in the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour. This event is co-promoted with the Tucson Jazz Festival
As one of the world’s longest running and most iconic events, the Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates its 65th year with a must-hear once-in-a-lifetime ensemble. Featuring Tony and Grammy Award winning NEA Jazz Master vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater alongside Grammy Award winning vocalist Kurt Elling and critically acclaimed rising star saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, this stellar band will be directed by visionary pianist Christian Sands and anchored by his longtime rhythm section, bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Clarence Penn. The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour concept began on their 50th Anniversary in 2007 with the idea of taking the musical spirit of MJF, along with artists who reflect that spirit, and fashion a musical program that engages all the artistry and energy of the festival and brings it to jazz fans throughout the country. That first tour included James Moody, Terence Blanchard, Benny Green, Nnenna Freelon, Derrick Hodge, and Kendrick Scott. The band debuted at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival where they recorded live and released the Grammy-winning CD Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary All-Stars: Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival. In total, the MJF on Tour programs have played over 185 concerts to almost 150,000 people.
January 22, 7pm -Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers. This event is co-promoted with the Tucson Jazz Festival
Based out of Williamsburg, VA, Hornsby first rose to national prominence with The Way It Is, his 1986 Grammy-winning debut album with The Range. The title track became the most-played song on American radio in 1987 while Tupac Shakur’s timeless song “Changes” builds on “The Way It Is” and set the stage for many subsequent versions of the track. In 1991 Hornsby collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, playing on her iconic hit “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Additionally, Hornsby was a part-time member of the Grateful Dead from September 1990 to March 1992, performing over 100 concerts in America and Europe. The 13-time Grammy nominee has also solidified his status as a highly sought-after collaborator.
January 24, 1pm - Curious Conversations, Inspired by San Jose Taiko at the Fox on February 2
Anyone who has seen a Taiko performance knows what a powerful, visceral experience it is. It is for good reason that this form of Japanese ensemble drumming has become popular across the world, even carving out a home for itself in Southern Arizona for the past two decades! Taiko groups have played on the Fox Theatre’s stage for years now, including the upcoming performance by the hugely influential San Jose Taiko. Join us at the Fox or on Zoom for a fascinating conversation about Taiko and how it came to Arizona, with someone who has consistently been at the heart of Taiko in Tucson. Please register above.
January 25, 7pm - Cinema Tucsón – Love & Mathematics
(Amor y matemáticas, Claudia Sainte Luce, Mexico, 2022, 85 min. In Spanish with English subtitles) Starring Roberto Quijano, Diana Bovio, and Daniela Salinas, the fifth feature film from director Claudia Sainte-Luce (The Amazing Catfish) is a satirical and engaging comedy about the ambitions and aspirations of upper-middle-class Mexican society. Set in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey, Love & Mathematics tells the story of Billy Lozano, who after teenage fame as part of a popular boy band, has found himself in his late thirties, and unhappily married. Billy’s suburban routine consists of taking care of his infant son and loathing his wife’s poorly behaved lap dog. His life changes when he meets Monica, a former mega-fan of the band, who moves into the house next door and inspires him to pick up the guitar again and find something worth living for.
January 28, 7:30pm – Michael Cavanaugh: Music of Billy Joel & Elton John
Michael Cavanaugh is the new voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook and a charismatic performer and musician made famous for his piano/lead vocals in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out. Handpicked by Billy Joel to star in Movin’ Out, Cavanaugh evokes a style rivaling the Piano Man. The show culminated in 2003 with both Grammy and Tony award nominations. Michael began playing at age seven. Encouraged by family and friends, and inspired by his hero Billy Joel, Michael formed his first band at age 10 and began playing local functions, fine-tuning the craft that would become his chosen career. His first full-time gig as a musician was an extended engagement in Orlando, Florida, at a piano bar called Blazing Pianos. In January of 1999, Michael received an offer that would unknowingly change his life: an opportunity to play Las Vegas at the famed New York, New York Hotel and Casino. It was there that Billy Joel spotted Michael and joined him on stage one fateful night of February 2001. It only took two songs before Billy was convinced that he had found his new Piano Man: Michael Cavanaugh. Michael closed up shop at New York, New York and moved to New York City to work alongside Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp to shape the Broadway Musical that would be called Movin’ Out. In the lead role, he received both Tony and Grammy nominations.
January 29, 3pm – National Geographic Live: Improbable Ascent with Maureen Beck
Maureen Beck loves to prove people wrong. Born with one hand, she tried rock climbing for the first time after a camp counselor told her she could skip it. Her love of the sport was instantaneous, but there was no guide for climbing with one hand. Unfazed, she decided to figure it out for herself through trial and error—one of her early adaptive climbing innovations even involved taping a metal ladle to her arm. Before long she was leading a crew of passionate adaptive climbers around the world, forging a path for a new generation.
School Matinee: January 31, 10am – The Gruffalo Live – SOLD OUT!
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark woods in a magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there? Songs, laughs and monstrous fun await students aged 4 and up in the much-loved show that’s toured the world!
The Crown Jewel of Tucson. We make Memories. We make Connections.
We make Tucson Proud
ABOUT THE FOX
The Fox Tucson Theatre enlivens Tucson, fostering community growth and connections by shaping exceptional, live arts experiences in a celebrated setting. The “Crown Jewel of Downtown” makes memories, makes connections, and makes Tucson proud. Programming includes exciting year-round live entertainment from the top entertainers in the US, as well as community produced events, classic movies, family programming, and more. Beautifully restored, the historic 1930’s Art Deco theatre Fox has become an important symbol of the resurgence of a thriving city center and continues to contribute to the economic growth in the region. The Fox Tucson Theatre is located at 17 W Congress. For tickets and additional information visit foxtucson.com or call the Box Office at 520-547-3040.
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