Big names and shows heading to Tucson this spring

Bluegrass queen Alison Krauss and Brit rocker Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame are reuniting 14 years after they collaborated on the critically-acclaimed duet album "Raising Sand."

The pair two years ago released the follow up, "Raise the Roof," and on June 15, they will perform songs from the album and the six-time Grammy-winning "Raising Sand" during their Arizona Arts Live concert at Centennial Hall.

It's one of the biggest shows coming our way this spring and early summer, and it marks the first time we will see Krauss on a Tucson stage since she and Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas, played the Tucson Arena in 2006. Plant was here as recently as 2018 with the Sensational Space Shifters at Centennial Hall. 

Other highlights of the spring arts season includes "The Linda McCartney Retrospective" that includes photos she took from her time in Tucson, a concert with one of the opera world's most dynamic rising stars, an evening with humorist Fran Lebowitz, the comic musical "Mean Girls" and a concert with 1970s Brit punk-rockers The Psychedelic Furs, which opens it U.S. spring tour in Arizona in late April. 

We compiled as complete a list of upcoming spring arts events as we could with the realization that some dates can change and events will be added as we go along. Check with the venue for more details and updates.   

Pop, rock

• Pinback, March 18, 191 Toole
• Greta Van Fleet, March 20, Tucson Arena at Tucson Convention Center
• Holy Faint, Fairy Bones and Sky Creature, March 22, 191 Toole
• The Blind Obedience Tour: Underoath, March 27, Rialto Theatre 
• Beabadoobee, March 28, Rialto Theatre
• The Silos, March 29, 191 Toole
• Built to Spill, April 3, 191 Toole
• Foreigner, April 3, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall
• Xiu Xiu, April 4, 191 Toole
• Pop Evil: Skeletons Tour, April 7, Rialto Theatre
• The Residents, April 12, 191 Toole
• Third Eye Blind, April 12, Rialto Theatre
• Last in Line, April 13, Rialto Theatre
• Silverstein: Misery Made Me 2023, April 18, Rialto Theatre
• Lotus, April 19, Rialto Theatre
• The Lemon Twigs, April 25, Club Congress
• Insound & Flow, April 28, 191 Toole
• Melissa Etheridge, April 29, Fox Tucson Theatre
• The Psychedelic Furs, April 29, Rialto Theatre
• Yoke Lore, May 18, 191 Toole
• Bastille, May 24, Rialto Theatre
• All Time Low, May 27, Rialto Theatre
• Yachtley Crew, June 3, Rialto Theatre
• Stryper, June 8, Rialto Theatre
• Lilac, June 10, 191 Toole

Hip-hop, R&B, electronica

• The Black Violin Experience, March 21, Rialto Theatre
• Token: Never Too Different tour, March 25, 191 Toole
• Onyx and RA the Rugged Man, April 1, The Rock
• Long Beach Dub Allstars, April 13, 191 Toole
• Devin the Dude, April 27, 191 Toole
• The Wailers, May 5, Rialto Theatre
• G Perico: Hot Shot Tour, May 13, 191 Toole
• Ice Cube with Too Short, May 27, AVA at Casino del Sol
• Death Grips, July 21, Rialto Theatre

Country, folk

• Hanna Haas, Brian Lopez, & The Senators, March 21, The Century Room
• Sophia Rankin & The Sound, March 24, 191 Toole
• Josh Turner, March 24, Rialto Theatre
• Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal, March 24, Fox Tucson Theatre
• Jimmie Allen, March 24, Desert Diamond Casino
• Teddy Morgan & Special Guests, March 25, Club Congress
• TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour, March 28, Tucson Arena at Tucson Convention Center
• Emily Nenni, April 7, 191 Toole
• Gordon Lightfoot, April 13, Fox Tucson Theatre
• The Brothers Comatose, April 15, 191 Toole
• Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands, April 15, Hotel Congress Plaza
• Dougie Poole, April 20, Hotel Congress Plaza
• Tony Furtado, April 20, 191 Toole 
• Roots & Boots, April 23, Fox Tucson Theatre
• Giovannie & The Hired Guns, April 24, 191 Toole
• Ian Munsick, April 25, Rialto Theatre
• Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, April 27, Fox Tucson Theatre
• Tish Hinojosa, May 18, Hotel Congress Plaza
• Aaron Lewis, May 21, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall
• Sara Shook & the Disarmers, May 25, Club Congress
• Junior Brown, June 14, Fox Tucson Theatre
• Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, June 15, Centennial Hall

Jazz, blues

• Lauren Kinhan, March 16, The Century Room
• Tom Wakeling & Steve Christofferson: Northwest Blues, March 17, The Century Room
• Walter Trout Band, March 19, Rialto Theatre
• Celebrating Anna Warr: A Memorial Concert, March 19, The Century Room
• Century Room Jazz Jam with Max Goldschmid, March 19 and 26, Century Room
• Mysterious Babies Traditional Jazz Band, March 22 and 29, The Century Room
• Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica: Global Jazz & Exotic Chamber Music, March 23, The Century Room
• Kristin Korb, March 24, The Century Room
• Late Night with Paul Green, March 25, The Century Room
• Vanessa Collier, March 26, Hotel Congress Plaza
• Wynton Marsalis, March 31, Fox Tucson Theatre
• Christian Sands, March 31, The Century Room
• Eddie Roberts, April 1, 191 Toole
• Roni Ben-Hur, April 15, The Century Room
• Rachel Eckroth Trio, April 20, The Century Room
• Diane & Lisa, April 23, The Century Room
• Buffalo Nichols, June 10, Club Congress

Latin, world

• Semillas Flamencas, March 18, MSA Annex
• Lunasa (Celtic), March 19, Pima Community College West Center for the Arts
• Kevin Kaarl, March 22, Rialto Theatre
• Caloncho, March 22, Hotel Congress Plaza
• Hermanos Gutiérrez, March 23, 191 Toole
• Los Caligaris, March 24, Club Congress
• Etran de L'Air, April 10, Club Congress
• Dyer-Logue: A Musical Journey Through Time, April 14, The Century Room
• Los Angeles Azules de Iztapalapa, April 15, AVA at Casino del Sol
• Benise, April 16, Fox Tucson Theatre
• TIMC Espectacular Concert feat. Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, April 22, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall
• La Maquinaria Norteña & Los Pescadores del Rio Conchos, April 23, Rialto Theatre
• Molchat Doma Tour 2023, May 2, Rialto Theatre
• Ottmar Leibert & Luna Negra, May 8, Rialto Theatre

Comedy, spoken word

• "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" March 23, Centennial Hall
• Hyprov: Improve Under Hypnosis, April 1, Fox Tucson Theatre
• Colin Quinn, April 1, Rialto Theatre
• Fran Lebowitz, April 6, Rialto Theatre
• Rory Scovel, April 14, 191 Toole
• Nikki Glaser, April 27, Rialto Theatre
• Steve Hofstetter, May 11, 191 Toole
• Neil Hamburger, May 19, 191 Toole
• Joe Gatto's Night of Comedy, June 9, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall

CLASSICAL AND CHORAL MUSIC

Arizona Early Music

For more than 40 years, the group has brought world-renowned ensembles that focus on medieval, renaissance and baroque music to Tucson. Concerts are held at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. azearlymusic.org, 520-314-1874

• Les Délices "Winds of Change: Music from the Age of Revolution," March 26
• Ensemble Caprice "Sweet! French Baroque Music and Chocolate," April 23

Arizona Friends of Chamber Music

For more than 75 years, the Friends have hosted chamber concerts including its annual Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival in March. Concerts are held at Leo Rich Theater. arizonachambermusic.org, 520-577-3769

• 29th annual Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival, now through March 19
• Double bassist Xavier Foley with pianist Kelly Lin, April 2
• Dolce Suono Trio, April 19

Arizona Opera

The professional company mounts performances at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall. azopera.org, 520-293-4336

• Mozart's "The Magic Flute," April 15-16

Arizona Repertory Singers

The mixed-voice choir performs at venues throughout the area. arsingers.org, 520-792-8141

• "KidSong" April 16, Desert Skies United Methodist Church, 3255 N. Houghton Road; April 21, St. Mark Catholic Church, 2727 W. Tangerine Road; April 23, Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Road

Arizona Symphonic Winds

The community ensemble under the direction of László Veres performs free concerts, including its popular spring and fall parks series at Udall Park's László Veres Amphitheater. Admission is free. facebook.com/ArizonaSymphonicWinds

• Spring concert, April 2, Catalina Foothills High School
• "Music In the Park" series, Saturday evenings May 13-June 3 

Civic Orchestra of Tucson

The community ensemble is now under the baton of Music Director Keun Oh. Admission to the concerts is free; cotmusic.org, 520-730-3371

• "Bueno Dias and Bonjour," featuring Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High School, March 19, Crowder Hall; March 25, Sahuarita District Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Road. Young Artist Competition winner percussionist Campbell Stewart will perform at the March 19 concert and winners Hannah Zhang and Richard Peng will play at the March 25 concert. 
• "Light Classics and Pops," May 6, Christ Church United Methodist, 655 N. Craycroft Road; May 7, DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center.

Green Valley Concert Band

The community ensemble plays most of its concerts at the Sahuarita District Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Road, unless noted. greenvalleyconcertband.org, 520-329-7915

• "Love of Music," April 16

Pima Community College

Performances are at the PCC West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road. pima.edu/centerforthearts, 520-206-4500

• Spring showcase, April 2
• Jazz Ensemble, May 10
• Mariachi Ensemble, May 12
• Guitar Ensemble, May 13
• Orchestra, May 13
• Chorale and College Singers, May 14
• Concert Band, May 16
• Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop, May 16 and 18

Old Arizona Brass Band

Performing as the 4th Cavalry Regimental Band at Ft. Lowell; oabb.homestead.com

• Silver Spike Railroad Jubilee, Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, 414 N. Toole Ave., March 18
• Ft. Lowell 150th Anniversary Celebration, band concert, 2900 N. Craycroft Road, March 18
• Annual Historic Military Ball at St. David High School Auditorium, 70 E. Patton St., St. David, March 25

Sons of Orpheus — The Male Choir of Tucson

The choir has been performing at venues throughout the greater Tucson area for 31 years. sonsoforpheus.org

• 30th annual Gala Spring Concert, April 13, Green Valley Community Performance and Art Foundation, 1250 W. Continental Road; April 22, St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, 4625 E. River Road; April 28, The Highlands at Dove Mountain, 4949 W. Heritages Club Blvd. in Marana; and May 1, St. Cyril of Alexandria Church, 4725 E. Pima St.
• Memorial Day Concert, May 30, East Lawn Palms Mortuary and Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road

Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra

The community orchestra performs in person at SaddleBrooke’s DesertView Performing Arts Center and at Oro Valley’s St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Concerts also are live-streamed. sasomusic.org, 520-308-6226

• "War and Remembrance: Von Suppé, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Schoenberg," March 18 and 19
• "Wagner, Khachaturian, Beethoven," April 29 and 30

St. Philip's in the Hills music series

Events are held in the church and admission is free; stphilipstucson.org, 520-299-6421

• Premiere of Ēriks Ešenvalds’ "Saint Philip’s Missa Brevis," May 7

True Concord Voices & Orchestra

The professional choir and chamber orchestra performs at venues throughout Tucson. trueconcord.org, 520-401-2651

• Rachmaninoff's "Vespers," March 24-26; part of the 2023 Tucson Desert Song Festival

Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus

The boys chorus has been an institution in Tucson for more than 80 years, with a roster of singers who've gone on to careers in Hollywood and Broadway as well as corporate America. boyschorus.org, 520-296-6277

• Pops concert, May 6, Catalina Foothills High School

Tucson Guitar Society

Performances are at Holsclaw Hall at the UA Fred Fox School of Music. tucsonguitarsociety.org, 520-342-0022

• Raphaël Feuillâtre, March 18
• Soprano Fatma Said and guitarist Rafael Aguirre, April 6; part of the Tucson Desert Song Festival
• Tucson Guitar Society Orchestra, April 2

Tucson Masterworks Chorale

The mixed voice ensemble that got its start in 1949 specializes in the masterworks of choral repertoire. tucsonmasterworkschorale.org, 520-403-5630

• "Adiemus Colores," with the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus, April 23, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Tucson Pops Orchestra

The professional ensemble is led by Khris Dodge, who replaced longtime music director László Veres who retired from the Pops after the spring concert series. Free "Music Under the Stars" concerts are held at Reid Park's DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center on Sunday evenings. tucsonpops.org, 520-722-5853

May 14, 21 and 28

Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Music Director Josè Luis Gomez, now in his seventh season with the orchestra, has added a season-long ¡Celebración Latina! series that celebrates Tucson’s Hispanic cultural heritage. Performances are at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall or Catalina Foothills auditorium. tucsonsymphony.org or 520-882-8585

• "Tantalizing Tricksters," with guest violinist Kerson Leong, March 17 and 19
• "An Evening with Hilary Hahn," March 22
• "The Magic of John Williams," March 25-26
• Mahler's "Resurrection," with soprano Kelley Nassief, contralto Emily Marvosh and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, March 31 and April 2; part of the Tucson Desert Song Festival
• "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi In Concert," May 12-13
• Young Composers Project showcase, May 19-21

University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music

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Performances are at Holsclaw and Crowder Halls at the music school, 1017 N. Olive Road, or 520-621-3341; music.arizona.edu

• Schaeffer Guitar Competition Finals, March 19, Holsclaw
• TurnUp Multimedia Festival, March 23-25, Holsclaw
• Amelia Rieman Vocal Competition, March 25, Holsclaw
• Trester Festival for Latin American Music, March 26, March 31, April 1, Crowder
• "Beloved Quartets: A Benefit Concert for the University of Arizona String Project," featuring Theodore Buchholz, Molly Gebrian, Timonthy Kantor and others, March 29, Holsclaw
• Tucson Desert Song Festival recital: Soprano Angel Blue, April 1, Holsclaw
• Guitar Ensemble with Mack Wolz, David Sewell and Corey Denham, April 2, Holsclaw
• Trumpeter Hayato Tanaka recital, April 4
• Peter Brook's “La tragédie de Carmen,” April 14 and 16, Crowder
• Opera Scenes, April 20, Crowder
• UA Concert Jazz Band and Studio Jazz Ensemble, April 21, Crowder
• Treble Glee, April 22, Crowder
• University Community Chorus and Coro, April 23, Crowder
• Collegium Musicum and Arizona Baroque, April 23, Holsclaw
• UA Jazz Combos, April 23, Crowder
• Percussion Ensemble, April 26, Crowder
• Wind Symphony, April 27, Crowder
• Philharmonic Orchestra, April 28
• Assad Tribute, April 29, Holsclaw
• Wind Ensemble, April 29, Crowder
• Arizona Symphony Orchestra and Arizona Choirs, April 30, Crowder
• Graduate Brass Ensemble, April 30, Holsclaw
• UA Steel Pan Ensemble, April 30, Crowder

THEATER

Arizona Arts Live

The University of Arizona arts presenter dabbles in everything from classical and pop music to theater and performance art. arizonaartslive.com, 520-621-3341

• "Dimanche," April 26-29, Tornabene Theatre

Arizona Repertory Theatre

The University of Arizona theater presents professional-quality performances by students at the Tornabene Theatre on campus. Get tickets through theatre.arizona.edu; 520-621-3341

• "Romeo & Juliet," through March 19. 
• "Head Over Heels" musical, April 9-23
• New Directions Festival, April 21-30 at the Harold Dixon Directing Studio in the School of Theatre

Arizona Theatre Company

Performances are at the Temple of Music and Art downtown. atc.org, 833-282-7328

• "Pru Payne, through March 25
• "Private Lives," April 15-May 6
• "The Legend of Georgia McBride," June 3-24

Arts Express

The arts education program is a leader in musical theater, with performances Fridays through Sundays at its Park Place mall location. arts-express.org, 520-319-0400

• "The Full Monty," March 24-April 8
• "Ragtime," April 21-May 7

Broadway In Tucson

Performances are at Centennial Hall on the UA campus. broadwayintucson.com

• "Mean Girls," March 28-April 2
• "Riverdance," April 28-30

Gaslight Theatre

Family friendly performances include matinee shows. thegaslighttheatre.com, 520-886-9428

• "The Ballad of Two Gun McGraw," through March 26
• "Robin Hood," March 30-June 4
• "The Revengers," June 8-Aug. 27

Invisible Theatre

The company, in its 51st season, performs at its venue unless noted. invisibletheatre.com, 520-882-9721

• "Billie! Backstage with Lady Day," March 18-19, Berger Performing Arts Center
• "Small Mouth Sounds," April 19-30

Live Theatre Workshop

The company mounts a children’s theater program in addition to its mainstage performances. livetheatreworkshop.org

• "The Other Place," March 30-May 6
• Tooth Fairies in Training, April 15-30

Pima Community College

Performances are at the West Campus on Anklam Road. pima.edu/centerforthearts, 520-206-4500

• "Proof," April 13-23
• Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet in Less Than 30 Minutes," April 29-30

The Rogue Theatre

The theater, in its 18th season, offers performances at its venue. theroguetheatre.org, 520-551-2053

• "The Seafarer," through March 19
• "A Midsummer Night's Dream," April 27-May 14

The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre

The award-winning professional company is in its sixth season. scoundrelandscamp.org, 520-448-3300

• "One Twig at a Time," April 13-30
• "Pooh," May 12-21

Winding Road Theater Ensemble

windingroadtheater.org

• Fifth annual "Eight 10s" 10-minute play festival, May 19-28, Temple of Music and Art

DANCE

Ballet Tucson

ballettucson.org

• Spring concert, March 24-26, Leo Rich Theater

Pima Dance

tucne.ws/1lch

• Spring Dance Show, May 5-6

FILM

• 31st Arizona International Film Festival, April 19-30, The Screening Room; filmfestivalarizona.com
• "I Dream in Widescreen" University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television student film showcase, May 6, Fox Tucson Theatre; tftv.arizona.edu

VISUAL ARTS

Center for Creative Photography

1030 N. Olive Road, ccp.arizona.edu

• "The Linda McCartney Retrospective," through Aug. 5
• "Sessions on Creative Photography: Hazel Larsen Archer," through Aug. 5 

University of Arizona Museum of Art

1031 N. Olive Road, artmuseum.arizona.edu

• The Samuel H. Kress Collection, through March 2024
• "Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre," through May 20

Sculpture Tucson

3420 E. River Road, sculpturetucson.org

• 2023 Sculpture Festival, March 18-19
• "Joy," through May 

Tucson Museum of Art

140 N. Main Ave., tucsonmuseumofart.org

• TMA Gala, March 18
• Arizona Biennial 2023, April 1-Oct. 1
• "Jose Luis Cuevas: Unpardonable Sin," May 4-Oct. 22
• "Popol Vuh and the Maya Art of Storytelling," May 4-Oct. 22

Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson

265 S. Church Ave., moca-tucson.org

• Cecilia Vicuña's "Sonoran Quipu," through Sept. 10
• Raven Chacon: While Hissing, March 24-Oct. 22
• Na Mira: Subrosa, March 24-Oct. 22

Etherton Gallery

340 S. Convent Avenue, ethertongallery.com

• "Again with the Real: Chris Rush & Ellen McMahon," through April 15

Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery

Pima West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road; tucne.ws/bernalgallery

• Annual juried student exhibition, April 12-May 5

PCC Visual Arts Gallery

Pima West Campus, Santa Rita Building; 2202 W. Anklam Road

• "Borderlands Southwest — Photography," April 17-Sept. 1; reception April 27

The Art Gallery @ Downtown Campus

PCC downtown campus, 1255 N. Stone Ave.; facebook.com/pccdcart

• Student Art Exhibit, through May 19

Desert Artisans’ Gallery

6536 E. Tanque Verde Road, desertartisansgallery.com

• "Desert Expressions," through May 6