Desert evening paint and sip, summer flower basket design class, family-friendly improv comedy, and more. 
Happy Tuesday, 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 week ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: A Tucson gym fusing faith with workouts, a new Oro Valley trail linking neighborhoods, parks, and schools, and a café’s rotating glazed brioche doughnuts — catch up here.
State-level stories: Voters crowning Arizona’s most stunning vista, vineyards scrambling amid deepening water shortages, and millions set aside for tribal broadband expansion — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Safety alerts for hundreds of thousands of Kia and Ford vehicles as an early Atlantic storm takes shape, and Mediterranean diet tips ease inflammation — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Get free groceries at Connection Pointe Church
- Trace Tucson’s matriarchal business networks
- Gather weekly to craft for others
- Walk historic downtown Tucson’s Turquoise Trail
- Endurance’s auto protection plan is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pets: Give your pup some gourmet treats or spoil your parakeet with a fancy perch. These pet shops in Oro Valley have everything to keep tails wagging and feathers fluttering.
Nightlife: As temperatures drop after sunset, neon-lit dance floors and secret speakeasies come alive. These after-dark spots have something for every night owl.
Travel: Solo doesn’t have to feel scary once you hit 50. These safety hacks will have you packing your bag with confidence.
Playhouse: Whether you’re craving toe-tapping show tunes, spine-tingling drama, or the offbeat charm of experimental one-acts, Oro Valley Theatre Company brings center-stage magic (and just enough backstage buzz) to town.
Wealth: $4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over. Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirey outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🎨 Desert Evening Paint and Sip @ Roadhouse Cinemas Tucson | Wednesday (8/6) at 6:00pm – Head to Roadhouse Cinemas for a desert-themed paint and sip that doubles as happy hour therapy. All brushes, canvas, and aprons are waiting; just grab a cocktail or gelato from the lobby, trade brushstrokes with friends, and leave with a masterpiece you want to hang.
🌸 August Summer Flower Basket Design Class @ Casas Adobes Flower Shop | Wednesday (8/6) at 6:00pm – Whether flowers are your jam or you just want an excuse for cheese and rosé, this hands-on basket workshop at Casas Adobes pairs light bites with step-by-step tips from local floral gurus. Bring a friend and leave with a charming summer centerpiece, no experience required.
🎸 Buddy Guy @ Fox Tucson Theatre | Wednesday (8/6) at 7:30pm – Buddy Guy, the blues legend who taught Hendrix a trick or two, will turn our favorite downtown spot into an electrifying set worthy of blues royalty, complete with drumsticks, audience dives, and all. Gritty Chicago blues, Louisiana soul, and proof that real music still packs a punch.
🍇 Tasting History: Grapes @ Mission Garden | Friday (8/8) at 8:00am – Pop in anytime between 8 and 10 am for a juicy dive into Tucson’s past—through grapes. This month’s edition of Tasting History explores 9 varieties grown right in the garden, with nods to Spanish missionaries and Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s free, it’s flavorful, and yep, there are grape leaves involved.
🎷 Miguel Melgoza | Friday (8/8) at 5:30pm – Oro Valley’s summer concert series hits Stacks Book Club for an early-evening set by Miguel Melgoza. He’ll serve up acoustic pop, a dash of soul, and enough neighborly banter to make you grateful you ditched the couch.
This weekend
🎨 Violet Mountain Paint and Sip @ Hotel McCoy | Saturday (8/9) at 12:00pm – Bored of museum tours and tourist traps? Retreat indoors for a splash of champagne and brush strokes at Hotel McCoy’s Violet Mountain paint and sip, where you trade chit-chat for confident strokes, enjoy patient guidance, and depart with a purple masterpiece worth bragging about.
🥊 Boxing Showdown @ Tucson Boxing & Fitness | Saturday (8/9) at 1:00pm – If you’ve ever wanted to see grown adults trade polite chit-chat for knuckle tattoos, swing by Tucson Boxing and Fitness for the Tucson Boxing Showdown. Expect adrenaline-fueled matchups, hometown rivalry, and sweat that makes your post-match IPA taste even better.
🎵 Laser Foo Fighters @ Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium | Saturday (8/9) at 6:30pm – This laser light show blasts Foo Fighters riffs with enough neon to make your 14-year-old self jealous. Your ticket also unlocks the museum’s exhibits, marine life, planetary science, insects, and more, so you can rock out then nerd out in one go.
😂 Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed @ Unscrewed Theater | Saturday (8/9) at 7:30pm – Tired of the same old screens and soggy popcorn fights? Grab the kids and head downtown to Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed’s improv comedy show for an unscripted, family-friendly evening. Every scene’s a surprise, so brace yourself for good times, genuine laughs, and utter chaos.
🐉 Final Fantasy: Commander League | Sunday (8/10) at 2:00pm – Sharpen your strategies and shuffle those decks—it’s time to duel. Whether you’re a longtime TCG fan or just curious about geek culture, this 8-week Commander League offers a glimpse into one of the fastest-growing hobbies around.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/5 Mamma Coal @ Arizona Senior Academy – 11:30 am
- 8/5 Clay Whittington @ Gaslight Theatre – 7 pm
- 8/5 Shucked @ Centennial Hall – 7:30 pm
- 8/6 Buddy Guy @ Fox Tucson Theatre – 7:30 pm
- 8/6 EST Gee @ 191 Toole – 8 pm
- 8/6 The Gaslight Anthem @ Rialto Theatre – 8 pm
- 8/7 Marty Stuart and more @ Fox Tucson Theatre – 7 pm
- 8/7 Maoli @ Linda Ronstadt Music Hall – 8 pm
- 8/8 Jacob Acosta @ Club Congress – 7 pm
🏠️ This house is wild
*This 👇 could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: George Laughton (My Home Group)
With 3,333 square feet of living space and a mountain backdrop, this four-bedroom retreat sits on nearly an acre inside a gated enclave. The 2024 refresh brought a new roof, HVAC, and a kitchen with granite counters, a walk-in pantry, and an island big enough for baking marathons or midnight snacks. Dual living rooms, a gas fireplace, and walk-in closets in every bedroom keep things comfy and organized.
The split master suite comes with its own full bath, while the covered patio looks out over a sprawling backyard just waiting for a hammock or garden party. A three-car garage handles all the gear, and sunscreened windows keep things cool year-round.
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