Public Art & Murals Walking Tour, Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed, Water Lilies paint and sip, and more. 
Happy Friday, Oro Valley. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Oro Valley Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Refugees take the Gallagher Theater stage with their stories, runners join the Kino Sports Complex HungerWalk, and homeowners sign up for free lead inspections — catch up here.
State-level stories: Sedona and Payson facing wildfire evacuation alerts, Williams brightening Route 66 with neon nights and tacos, and five jaguars tracked in southern Arizona — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Fairy Caitlin brings miniatures to life
- Browse 400 quilts supporting Tucson Botanical Gardens
- Learn how Spanish shaped Southwest politics
- Explore Tucson’s vibrant murals and sculptures
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Trails: From sunrise javelina sightings to stroller-friendly loops under cottonwoods, these local paths around Oro Valley deliver the perfect dose of desert beauty.
Jobs: Ready to see who’s hiring? Arizona is rolling out the red carpet for job seekers with chip factories and Fortune 500s on the hunt. Discover top employers and how much they pay.
Finance: Explaining credit cards to your teen often feels like decoding ancient hieroglyphics. These easy credit lessons turn confusing plastic power into real-world know-how.
Cocktail: Whether you’re craving a smoky mezcal riff, a floral gin fantasia, or a boozy twist on the classics, The Hoppy Vine mixes rare spirits, house-made syrups, and a dash of theater into cocktails that turn your evening into a liquid performance you won’t forget.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎤 Craig A. Meyer @ Fox Tucson Theatre | Friday (8/15) at 7:30pm – Saturday night at the theater means dusting off the old sunglasses and belt buckle collection, because Craig A. Meyer is about to teleport us back to Elton’s glam wonderland. Expect spot-on vocals, a flashy wardrobe, and enough singalongs to replace your usual TV reruns.
🎤 Rio Da Yung OG @ Rialto Theatre | Friday (8/15) at 8:00pm – Rio Da Yung OG is crashing the Rialto Theatre stage with his signature Southern swagger, turning the pit into a communal vibe fest. GA standing, kids six and up welcome, so snag a spot, grab a clear bag, and witness a raw hip-hop blueprint live.
This weekend
🖼️ Public Art & Murals Walking Tour @ Presidio Museum | Saturday (8/16) at 8:00am – Meeting at old Presidio Museum, we’re strolling two miles south of Congress, ogling half a dozen murals and art sculptures that pop up like prickly pears. It’s a morning jaunt packed with artist backstories, light cardio, and local color. Don’t forget water or good shoes.
❓ Trivia Night @ Presidio Museum | Saturday (8/16) at 7:00pm – Grab a sweater, head to the Presidio courtyard, and test your Tucson trivia chops with local troublemaker Dave Fitzsimmons and resident game-show judge David Devine. Expect random tidbits, dry wit, and the occasional shove into audience participation, all for ten bucks with a cash bar.
😂 Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed @ Unscrewed Theater | Saturday (8/16) at 7:30pm – Grab the gang, even the pint-sized critics, and ditch the usual screen time for a family-friendly improv show that actually keeps you guessing. No script, no safety net, just fast-paced games fueled by your best, or worst, suggestions, and belly laughs galore.
🎨 Water Liles Paint and Sip @ Bawker Bawker Cider | Sunday (8/17) at 2:00pm – Bawker Bawker’s indoor taproom is doubling as a paint studio, so grab a cider, a canvas, and your dubious color instincts. No art background needed, just sip something crisp, follow the instructor’s lead, and walk out with a Water Lilies keepsake.
🎵 Mamma Coal @ The Maverick King of Clubs | Sunday (8/17) at 6:00pm – Forget your usual Tuesday trivia. Mamma Coal’s full band at The Maverick delivers gritty blues-rock, shaking paint off the walls and coaxing your inner head-bopper. Expect raw vocals, searing guitar, and fellow locals who’ve perfected the art of not talking over solos.
🔥 flipturn – The Burnout Days Tour @ Rialto Theatre | Sunday (8/17) at 8:00pm – Craving a cathartic soundtrack to your weekend? flipturn’s Burnout Days Tour delivers angsty riffs, heady crowd vibes, and a shot of indie-rock nostalgia. No refunds, so bring your clear bag.
Next week
🎭 Beautiful Spirit: Art in Motion @ Tucson Botanical Gardens | Monday (8/18) at 7:30am – Joe Benedict’s massive steel-and-mesquite sculptures are fluttering into town, waiting for you to pull a lever and watch a butterfly and dragonfly awkwardly boogie with gears and sprockets. It’s the perfect excuse to pretend you’re an engineer, not just a weekend couch potato.
🌻 Sunflower Magic Paint and Sip + Margarita Monday @ Risky Business | Monday (8/18) at 5:00pm – If your Mondays need a pick-me-up beyond coffee, swing by Risky Business for Sunflower Magic paint and sip on Margarita Monday. You’ll get a canvas, paint, and step-by-step guidance, plus bottomless margarita specials, ensuring your masterpiece looks as polished as your weekend stories.
🎸 Tesoro @ Saffron Indian Bistro | Tuesday (8/19) at 5:00pm – If you’re craving an evening where spicy tunes meet spicy curry, Tesoro’s flamenco set at Saffron Indian Bistro has your name on it. Think guitar solos hotter than the neighbor’s BBQ, a splash of funk and jazz, and zero risk of butter chicken going cold.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 The Paul Opocensky Project @ Roadies – 6 pm
- 8/15 Local Love @ 191 Toole – 7 pm
- 8/15 Douglas Williams @ Live Theatre Workshop – 7 pm
- 8/16 Velvet Crush @ Local Legends – 2 pm
- 8/16 The Paul Opocensky Project @ Borderlands Brewing – 6 pm
- 8/16 Corey Spector @ Westward Look – 7 pm
- 8/16 Journey USA @ Rialto Theatre – 8 pm
- 8/16 Emo Nite @ Club Congress – 9 pm
- 8/19 Alien Ant Farm @ The Rock – 7 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Oro Valley edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Michael Oliver (Oliver Realty, LLC)
Soaring ceilings and a dramatic double-sided fireplace set the stage in this 2,595-square-foot stunner, where a rolling library ladder and custom shelving make the living room feel straight out of a movie. The gourmet kitchen dishes up Viking appliances, granite counters, and a show-stopping arched window framing the Catalina Mountains, while a formal dining bay window keeps the views coming. No carpet here—just sleek travertine and rich wood-like floors throughout.
Upstairs, the master suite delivers serious spa vibes with a soaking tub perfectly positioned for mountain sunsets. French doors and statement lighting add flair, and the backyard oasis is all about panoramic desert vistas. Tucked inside La Reserve’s manned gates, this spot blends luxury with the wild Sonoran landscape, just minutes from trails, shops, and restaurants.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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