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UA theater program performs 'Romeo and Juliet'
The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television program presented "Romeo + Juliet" by William Shakespeare. The show opened on February 26 and ran until March 19 at the Tornabene Theatre. "Romeo + Juliet" featured performances by Sydney DiSabato as Juliet and Max Murray as Romeo. Directed by Brent Gibbs, the show stays true to Shakespeare's classic tragedy, but with a Southern twist. This is Gibbs' 50th production he's directed at the UA and 23rd Shakespeare play.
Tucson's Fuzziest Parade
The annual Tucson Pet Parade which celebrates pets and their owners was held on Fourth Avenue Feb. 19. The parade featured participants in creative costumes, pet-friendly vendors and family-friendly activities. The event also provides an opportunity for pets and their owners to bond and socialize with other animal lovers.
A look at the biggest non-motorized parade in the US
On Feb. 23, hundreds of people gathered for the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade which took place along the Ajo Highway, a half mile from Park Avenue. The parade, which first debuted back in 1925, is known as the largest non-motorized parade in the country. This year the parade had approximately 200 entries, featuring colorful floats, galloping horses, and unique entertainment from around the community.
Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase 2023
The annual Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase returned this year from Jan. 27 - Feb. 11 with 48 gem show locations all across Tucson. The show draws both visitors and vendors from all over the globe, featuring one of the most impressive collections of gems, minerals and fossils in the entire world. The event draws in over 65,000 guests.
UA students share the love at the Giving Day event
This Valentine’s Day, the University of Arizona held a string of festivities on the Mall for the annual Giving Day event sponsored by the Wildcat Events Board. Booths were set up where students could make their own stuffed animals or grab candy. There were also various games, from Giant Connect 4 to a dunk tank which was used to raise money for the Giving Day initiative. Perhaps the most popular event of the day was the Couples Olympics. Whether students were celebrating Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, there was something fun for everyone.
The El Jefe Cat Lounge
The El Jefe Cat Lounge, on 3025 N. Campbell Ave., started in Tucson in Nov. 19, with Tiffany Lee as the owner. Lee is an entrepreneur that has had multiple businesses in the past but recently felt the need to have something of a “moral value.” She enjoys helping the cats find their forever home. Finally, My Forever Home is a rescue in Tucson that supplies El Jefe with its residents and keeps its average population around 35 cats. The cafe is named Jefe after a local middle school named a roaming jaguar that was spotted in the Santa Rita Mountains. They named him “El Jefe,” which is Spanish for boss or chief. At this time, the cafe is three adoptions away from 400 total adoptions. Lee says, "it's a big sense of satisfaction." Recently, Lee has been working on an expansion for the cafe. She wants to transition it into a cafe with its own brand of coffee. The finished product of the expansion is still undetermined, as Lee has just recently started the transition. The El Jefe Cat Lounge is not a shelter or rescue, which means they cannot take cats but would like you to visit TucsonFeralCats.org for community resources. You can find more information about the El Jefe Cat Lounge on their website.
All Souls Procession
The 33rd annual All Souls Procession took place on Nov. 6. People gathered in dresses and makeup to walk in remembrance of loved ones who have passed on.
Al Jisr Collective Photo Gallery
The Bridge is a collaboration among students from the University of Arizona and four public universities in Yemen: University of Aden, Hadramout University, Taiz University, and University of Saba Region. In this nine-month cultural exchange project, students engage regularly, share experiences, and work together on journalistic projects, including multimedia stories, a group podcast series, and this photo gallery. Some student work is presented under the Al Jisr Collective name for the security and safety of those contributors.
University of Arizona Bonfire
The University of Arizona celebrates Homecoming Weekend with a bonfire and the crowning of Homecoming royalty. The Tucson Fire Department was in attendance to help keep the fire under control. The fire was started in front of Old Main on the west side.
Arizona Repertory Theatre presents "Polaroid Stories"
The University of Arizona student theater program presents "Polaroid Stories" by Naomi Iizuka. The show will run from Oct. 27 to Nov. 6 at the Tornabene Theatre. The show features performances by Alyssa DiRaimondo as Eurydice and Ray Cuevas as Orpheus/Tereus.
University of Arizona hosts its 69th annual Band Day
Arizona hosts its 69th annual Band Day on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Arizona Stadium. High school bands from around the state flock to the university every year to compete in hopes of going to the state competition. Rincon University High School won first place in the 4A category with a score of 78.6.
The Coalition of Black students and Allies protest
The Coalition of Black students and Allies protested for the decriminalization of Black bodies. The protest took place on the University of Arizona campus on Friday, Oct. 14.
Arizona men's and women's swim and dive teams win home openers against Grand Canyon University
The Arizona men's swim and dive team beat Grand Canyon University 204-90 and the Arizona women's swim and dive team also beat GCU 219-76 for the Wildcats' home openers at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center. Stand-out freshmen include Kelly Wetteland who won two of her first collegiate races in the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke. Other outstanding Wildcats include Hayden Ghufran, Haakon Naughton and Billy Oates who won the 500-meter freestyle, 200-meter butterfly and 100-meter backstroke, respectively.
Mission for Arizona: Activism on campus
Mission for Arizona, “A People-Powered Campaign,” is paid for by the Arizona Democratic party. The goal is to get volunteer canvassers to help University of Arizona students register to vote. This fall, the group aimed to get students register in time to vote for Arizona’s Nov. 8 midterm election.
Carter Everly, a Mission for Arizona volunteer and former UA student, has volunteered for Mission for Arizona since the beginning of the fall semester. When Everly saw the group tabling on campus last semester, he said he knew he wanted to volunteer this fall. He has always wanted to be more involved with politics.
“I thought I could make a difference instead of just using my one vote and make a bigger impact,” he said.
In his eyes, being a canvasser is work that matters, and can end up making a difference.
Everly and other volunteers go through a one-day training from Mission for Arizona leaders to learn how to give a pitch. When being stopped by a canvasser, they will ask if they are registered to vote. Depending on the response, the canvasser gives a different pitch.
Some students who are at the UA from out-of-state do not know that they do not need to be an Arizona resident to vote in the state. But as long as one has an Arizona address, they can vote.
In the beginning of the semester when more students were getting registered to vote, Mission for Arizona stationed students in specific places around the university such as in front of the libraries or the Richard A. Harvill Building. Everly said if they were not stationed, volunteers would walk around the campus to collect voter registrations.
Arizona is a purple state, also known as a swing state, meaning that the two major political parties, Republican and Democrat, have almost equal support amongst voters in Arizona. Mission for Arizona is in support of the Democratic party, and Everly said their goal now is to get voters to know more about Mark Kelly and Katie Hobbs in hopes that Arizona will become a blue state in this midterm election.
“Your vote is going to matter more here,” Everly will tell students when he is canvassing, “because of Arizona being a swing state.”
Everly said he expects Mission for Arizona canvasser volunteers will be back on campus for other upcoming elections, such as the presidential one. As for now, the last day to register to vote for the midterms was Oct. 11. Everly plans to work for Mission for Arizona until November to keep informing voters on Kelly and Hobbs.
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Arizona celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
The University of Arizona celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month during the Arizona football halftime show on Oct. 8 at Arizona Stadium. Hispanic Heritage Month started on Sept. 15 and ends on Oct. 15. The performers conducted two performances: one was a traditional Hispanic song accompanied by traditional dances and music, and the other song was performed with the Pride of Arizona marching band.
Paint Broadway Blue
Paint Broadway Blue protesters gathered on the street corner near 5000 Broadway Blvd. on Oct. 8 in conjunction with the Women's Wave Day. Women's Wave is the nationwide women's action day. Attendees held signs protesting for women's rights.
Professor Meixner's Candle Light Vigil
A candle light vigil was held for Thomas Meixner on Oct. 7 at Old Main on the University of Arizona campus. Speeches by President Dr. Robert C. Robbins, Meixner's brother-in-law and others helped to memorialize the professor's life.
Arizona football team defeats University of Colorado Boulder
The Arizona football team took on Pac-12 opponent, the University of Colorado Boulder, on Oct. 1 in Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats took the lead early, scoring 26 points in the first half. The Wildcats did not stop there, though. They outscored the Colorado Buffaloes 43-20, advancing their record to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The Wildcats take on the University of Oregon this coming Saturday, Oct. 8, during Family Weekend.