Any summer of 2009 in Tucson wrap-up must mention what was, in my opinion, the stand-out event of the season: Atomic #10, a sexy collision of kitsch and cool that transpired at the Flamingo Hotel on a sweltering June evening. Atomic #10 had Michael Jackson impersonators, cactus bikinis, fake mustaches, DJs, a "fan tent" chill-out room, dancers, art installations, bands and more. Organized and hosted by local arts and performance collective Parasol Project, it was the party of the year.
Until Pueblo Noir.
Every great party needs a theme. In September, the 90th birthday of Hotel Congress and the kick-off of the Tucson Film & Music Festival provided the catalyst for yet another Parasol Project retro-swank soiree. There was a balloon drop, a champagne toast, and aerial acrobats, performances by jazz act Le Chat Lunatique and Portland's March Fourth marching band, burlesque routines, a nickelodeon theater, a costume contest and a peep show box playing old black-and-white filthy movies. Pueblo Noir was simultaneously inclusive, intriguing and edgy.
In a nutshell: Parasol Project throws one heck of a shindig! I spoke with artistic director and founding member Leah Rothschild to find out more. She told me about Parasol's affordable practice space in the Lost Barrio at 299 S. Park Ave., where Tribal Fusion Bellydance and Lotus Moon Yoga for Kids classes are held, describing Parasol's live productions and its warehouse space as "two different arms of one 'umbrella' organization." There's also a boutique which is open Thursday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Rothschild says Parasol is "completely volunteer and mostly self-funded," and that their goal is to "engage and build unity through avenues of expression including participatory, environmental, and spectacular arts."
In just the last several weeks, Parasol Project participants have sponsored a screening of "Invisible Children," a documentary film on the crisis in Northern Uganda; hosted "World in a Box, " a diorama art show in conjunction with the Tucson Pima Arts Council's Open Studios Tour; continued their monthly Poetry Jam series; and participated in Hotel Congress' World AIDS Day celebration.
Upcoming events at Parasol Project's space include One-Man Band Fest on Friday, December 4, hosted by Ms. Audra de Bauchra and featuring Al Foul, Mosquito Bandito, Al Perry, Jimmy Carr, Bee Bones, Special Head and more. Admission is $7 with doors opening at 6pm and is 21 only.
For the young ones, Parasol welcomes family entertainers Z Puppets Rosenschnoz's Amazing Knip Knop Circus on Friday, December 11 at 7pm and Saturday, December 12 at 11am, for $10 at the door or $8 in advance. There will also be a Glow-in-the-Dark Family Dance Party the evening of December 12 at 6:30pm.
Parasol Project will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Friday, January 8, and you're invited! Check www.ParasolProject.com for details as the date approaches.
