Weekend by the dozen

As the weather warms, it may occur to Sentinel readers that getting away from the screen, out of the house and into the world is the best laid plan. Hatch your weekend itinerary from the events below.

Friday

First Fridays at the TMA

Warhol mania continues as the Tucson Young Professionals host another First Friday event at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. "Andy Warhol—POP Art" will begin at 8 pm with the "Canned Art Extravaganza," an art challenge between two community organizations, Tucson Digital Arts Community (TDAC) and American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP). The two groups will compete in an art-off, creating pieces from donated cans of food. The event continues with dancing and live performances until midnight. Tickets are $15, or $10 plus three cans of food for the Tucson Community Food Bank.

Black Sabbath Wine Tasting

While pairing heavy metal with fine wine might never occur to the average oenophile, local wine salesman and scenester Kenny Stewart has done exactly that. Stewart will be pouring 5 wines to the stylings of Black Sabbath tribute band, Earth Below, from 7-10 pm at Old Town Artisans, 201 N. Court Ave. An $8 cover charge buys the band and the booze.

"The Man the Sea Saw" at Berger Center

Wolfe Bowart's performance, which will also be staged Saturday, is the Tucson native's latest physical theatre piece. Composed and performed by Bowart, the family-friendly play has a serious message about climate change. Bowart portrays a man set adrift on a tiny iceberg; as the climate warms, the man must face his memories and inhabit a world of the mind. Expect this performance to include mime, dance and audience participation. The Berger Performing Arts Center is at 1200 W. Speedway Blvd.

Tracy Shedd, The Modeens, The Monitors

This triple-band CD release at Plush, 340 E. 6th Street, has three Tucson acts slated to celebrate their new efforts. Tracy Shedd, a singer-songwriter with a strong sense of melody and lyrics, has turned from indie-pop arrangements to a more contemplative sound, featuring keyboards and strings. Her "City at Night" is a standout. The Modeens recall 70s proto-indie bands with their psych-tinged, vaguely unhinged sound, while The Monitors, Nowhere Man's Vikas Pawa's newest endeavor, play guitar-driven, rhythmically quirky indie rock on their release "The Big Return." $5 cover.

Saturday

Paws in the Plaza at Casas Adobes

Bring your best friend to Casas Adobes Plaza Saturday from 10 am-2 pm for a wag-inducing fair to benefit the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. The HSSA will have adoptable animals, a scavenger hunt for pets, a fundraising raffle and lots of pet-related vendors on hand. Many shops at Casas Adobes will also offer discounts to Paws in the Plaza attendees.

Greyhound Soul and La Cerca

Both of these Tucson-born and Tucson/Phoenix based bands play well-written alternative rock, and while their shows were once weekly events in Tucson, both play less frequently of late. Here is a chance to check them both with no cover charge at Che's Lounge, 346 N. 4th Ave. Joey Pena's soulful, smoky baritone, anchored by the rhythm section of Duane Hollis and Winston Watson, create the moody, bar-soaked rock of Greyhound Soul. La Cerca, the brainchild of singer/guitarist Andrew Gardner, combines pure pop hook with a more indie rock sense of arrangement. Gardner promises lots of new material at this show, but he is sure to play his instant classic "Trip Away" if someone buys him a beer.

Friki Tiki Garage Festival at The Hut

You can read more about this six band bill here. The Hut will be overrun with scooter madness on Saturday, as Friki Tiki takes over the joint with a garage/fuzz rock festival. Expect a big, loud retro sound from the likes of the Lords of Altamont, the Woolly Bandits, the Mission Creeps and the Green Lady Killers.

MOCA Grand Opening and Inaugural Exhibition

Tucson's Museum of Contemporary Art opens its new and permanent home at 265 S. Church to the public on Saturday. The inauguaral show, Made in Tucson/Born in Tucson/Live in Tucson, will be on view during a reception for museum members at 6 pm, and a public reception at 7 pm featuring a musical surprise guest. Free with museum admission of $8.

Sunday

Michael Palmer, Andrew Joron, Andrew Zawicki

The POG: Poetry in Action collective present three poets at The Eric Firestone Gallery, 403 N 6th Ave. at 4 pm. Michael Palmer,  author of "Codes Appearing (Poems 1979-1988)" (New Directions) and "Company of Moths) (New Directions) is one of the best poets to emerge from the San Francisco experimental poetry scene in the last 40 years. He is joined by fellow Bay Area poet Joron and Verse co-editor Zawicki. The event is co-sponsored by POG, Chax Press, and the UA Poetry Center. Phone 620-1626 for information. $5 admission, $3 students. This event is an adjunct to Words Through: A Tribute to Gustaf Sobin (1935-2005), which will be held Saturday, March 6, at 3:00 pm at the University of Arizona Poetry Center.

Pandora meetup at Rialto Theatre

Tim Westergren, founder of internet radio arm of the Music Genome Project, Pandora, will hold a Pandora user meetup at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. at 5 pm. The event will include an overview of the project by Westergren, followed by a listener feedback session. An invitation to which you can reply will have arrived if you are a Pandora member; joining Pandora is easy and will allow you to RSVP and bring all your friends to this free event. Westergren also promises cool Pandora swag.

Blues Sunday at St. Mark's Presbyterian

This 11 am Sunday service was organized by former pastor and blues drummer Rev. Mike Smith. Smith recruited local blues songstress Lisa Otey, on piano and vocals, and "Hurricane" Carla, on tenor sax and vocals. Also performing will be Ed DeLucia, guitar; John Snavely, clarinet; Mike Levy, bass. According to St. Mark's, Lent is a perfect time to celebrate blues music: "It is a time when we contemplate the entire human experience of suffering, loss, sadness, yearning for love and justice, and disappointment." St. Mark's Presbyterian is at 3809 E. Third Street. All are welcome.

Oscars viewing party at the Fox Theatre

While we at the Sentinel will be liveblogging the Oscars from home, those who want the full red carpet treatment may walk the step-and-repeat at the Fox Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. The event is Tucson's officially sanctioned Academy event, and proceeds from the gala benefit the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation. The event will also feature a silent auction, a “pick the winner” contest, and food and drink. Doors open at 5 pm, with the awards starting at 6. Tickets are $25 and are available through Fox's website or by calling 547-3040.