36 things to do in Tucson this weekend, Aug. 21-23

Tucson residents have a packed slate of options Aug. 21 through 23, from a musical at the University of Arizona to late night dancing, local markets, comedy, family activities and outdoor events. The weekend includes free gatherings such as the Old Tucson Summer Night Market and Discovery Nights at Children’s Museum Tucson, along with ticketed performances, museum programs and nightlife across central Tucson, the east side, the Foothills and beyond. Whether you want to shop from local artists, listen to live music, explore the desert after sunset or simply find something different to do, there are 36 events and ongoing activities to consider.

At Centennial Hall, “Hell’s Kitchen” brings the story to the stage through choreography set to Alicia Keys’ music. The musical’s opening night Tuesday was interrupted when an elevator set piece malfunctioned soon after the performance began. Maya Drake, who plays Ali, and the cast took a 30 minute break before continuing. The show is at Centennial Hall, 1052 E. University Blvd. Another major concert is scheduled at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., where fans can expect a high energy performance and mosh ready songs from one of metalcore’s most influential bands.

Comedy fills several time slots at Tucson Improv Movement, 414 E. Ninth St. The Soapbox features four short, personal stories from special guests, using those experiences as inspiration for improv. Another show invites audience members to submit anonymous confessions from their lives, which performers then use to build scenes. There is also an all female stand-up comedy show with beer, wine and snacks, plus a Saturday happy hour from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. where improvisers perform while attendees enjoy drinks. The venue’s lineup gives Tucsonans several ways to spend an evening laughing without committing to a traditional theater production.

Music and dancing take over other downtown venues. Gimme Gimme Disco offers an ABBA inspired party built around favorite songs from the 1970s and 1980s. The Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. Fourth Ave., hosts a night of dark wave, new wave, old school industrial and both traditional and contemporary goth music. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., has an emo dance party for guests 21 and older. Tickets cost $21 in advance and $25 on the day of the event, with $1 from every ticket going to organizations working on issues including mental health, poverty and terminal illness. At Snakes & Lattes, 988 E. University Blvd., late night programming combines immersive music, hosted games, prizes and craft cocktails.

Several events focus on shopping and local creativity. At Floozy Flea, held at The Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St., attendees are encouraged to wear their ugliest outfit while browsing vendors, crafts, games, tattoos, coffee and other treats. Admission is free, but shoppers should bring money for purchases. Old Tucson’s Summer Night Market also offers free entry and parking. Visitors can walk through the town square to browse work from local artists, listen to live music and find crafts and food vendors. The market has become an evening setting for browsing handmade goods, including lighted shadow boxes, as the sun goes down. The Foothills Mall, 7325 N. La Cholla Blvd., also hosts a free market with yard art, home decor, jewelry, baked goods and more. At St. Philip’s Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave., local makers sell their work from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays, with live music and restaurants nearby.

Families have multiple choices, including a fairytale tea party at Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road. The event includes characters, snacks, tea, interactive activities and amusement rides. Admission is $35 for adults, $25 for children ages 2 through 12 and $10 for children age 2 and younger. The Tucson Woman’s Club, 6245 E. Bellevue St., hosts a family oriented gathering with entertainment, a Hawaiian dinner, vendors, information tables, raffles and door prizes. At Hunter’s Kitten Lounge, 5319 E. Speedway, guests can snuggle cats while watching a movie. Children’s Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave., offers a free Discovery Night with science and art activities, story times and pop-up science experiments.

Science, gardens and nighttime landscapes are also part of the weekend. Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd., presents music themed laser shows featuring AC/DC and Daft Punk. Tickets cost $20 and include admission to the science exhibits. The Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, offers $5 admission every Friday through Sept. 25. At the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Cool Summer Nights continues from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 29. Visitors can walk the grounds in cooler temperatures, bring a flashlight, look for nocturnal animals, touch a stingray and take part in themed activities. Admission is $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for children ages 3 to 12.

Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, continues its summer series from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 28, with music, spirits and food. On Saturdays, the garden is working with Children’s Museum Oro Valley to add nature play for families. Sabino Canyon’s night tour also returns on Saturdays through Oct. 25, giving visitors a chance to experience the canyon after dark. Catalina State Park offers Catalina Nights on the first and third Fridays of each month, featuring a one mile guided walk on the Nature Trail. The Presidio Museum has a calendar of downtown walking tours, including the Turquoise Trail, Armory Park, Barrio Viejo, Death After Dark and Public Art and Murals. Prices begin at $30, and some tours require advance registration.

The weekend’s quieter and more social activities extend beyond the main event calendar. Snakes & Lattes hosts a Ravensburger Puzzle Race mini tournament, where teams compete over a 500 piece puzzle, with each participant receiving a soda or iced tea, a shared treat and a puzzle to take home. Queer Hearth Tucson holds Third Friday Game Nights from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Coalition Space, inviting people to bring games or use the available collection. Artists of all experience levels can attend an open studio with the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild, while Catalyst Creative Collective, 4500 N. Oracle Road, offers a chance to relax, hear music and learn painting techniques from professional artists. A Thursday run club meets for a slower paced four mile route past murals and the Rattlesnake Bridge, followed by drinks at a bar. The West Side community also gathers at Transit Cycles, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, at 5:30 p.m. for a 6 p.m. ride to Dragoon Brewing, where $1 pints and food from Muncheez are available. Sunset Yoga at the MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, continues on Tuesdays with instructor Joanna.