]]>
Musicians' boycott hurts innocent folks
Posted: Monday, July 26, 2010 12:00 amOur view: Sadly, reaction to SB 1070 puts the success of the Rialto in jeopardy
The boycott against Arizona that was prompted by SB 1070, the controversial new immigration law that's being challenged in court, is hurting the wrong people.Case in point: The management at the nonprofit Rialto Theatre downtown told us they've lost more than $100,000 because of the boycott and The Sound Strike, a nationwide musicians' strike against Arizona.
The Rio Nuevo redevelopment district owns the historic Rialto, but leased it to be operated by the nonprofit Rialto Theatre Foundation.
The foundation invests revenue remaining after its expenses in improvements on the historic structure, the sound, lights and HVAC system, and the theater's safety. Since 2005, that's a reinvestment of $750,000, said Doug Biggers, executive director of the Rialto.
The system works for the theater and for downtown. As an aside, Rio Nuevo board members who want the theater to provide a revenue stream to the redevelopment district are shortsighted. Their view suggests they don't understand the boost the current Rialto operating arrangement brings to downtown. More about that later.
As to the boycott, Biggers told the Rio Nuevo board last month that the theater is essentially only breaking even at this point. That's partly because of the lousy economy. But the boycotts have hit the theater even harder.
Acts that have canceled Rialto gigs because of the SB 1070 Arizona boycotts include:
• Cypress Hill, which cost the theater an estimated $20,000;
• Joan Baez at the Fox, which cost the foundation an estimated $12,000;
• Gogol Bordello, an estimated $15,000 net loss;
• Louis C.K, an estimated net loss of $15,000;
• Yeasayer, a $10,000 net loss;
• Dr. Dog, $10,000 gone;
•Vampire Weekend/Beach House, a loss of $20,000.
Another eight groups that have played the Rialto in the past, including Sonic Youth, have joined Sound Strike.
We've said it before, but it bears repeating: Those boycotting Arizona are hurting those they least want to injure, especially workers in the hotel and resort industry, and the boycott has unintended consequences that reverberate throughout Arizona's economy.
One institution that may be at risk is the Rialto Theatre, whose success has a direct economic impact on myriad downtown businesses.
As Biggers told the Rio Nuevo board, the theater produces an average of three shows a week. In the past five years, it's drawn 400,000 concert-goers downtown.
Figure each of them spends $10 before or after a concert, and you have more than $4 million in Rialto-generated spending pumping into downtown restaurants, shops and bars. We think $10 is a low-ball estimate. Make it $20, and that's $8 million.
But Rio Nuevo board member Mark Irvin said this during the board's June 30 meeting: The Rialto is "not producing any revenue and we'd like to see that change."
We'd say that $4 million or $8 million in Rialto-generated spending does nothing if not add to Rio Nuevo's income; the district's tax increment money is collected.
And were the Rio Nuevo board members to decide the foundation needs to tithe in some way to them, they'd essentially be drawing down cash that would have been used to maintain and improve an asset they own(!).
The Rialto Theatre is a success story and a downtown treasure in every way, as an historic property, as a generator of nightlife energy and as an economic engine for downtown.
If the foundation can't make ends meet because of the boycotts, that would be a terrible loss to Tucson.
Arizona Daily Star
To learn more about the musicians' strike, go to thesoundstrike.net
Comes The Dawn
The Rhythm Devils began as the duo of Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and his percussionist partner Mickey Hart. Over the years, they transcended rock and roll drum stereotypes with polyrhythmic explorations of the world of percussion, using an extraordinary variety of instruments and approaches. The aftermath of this collaboration was the larger Rhythm Devils, which have made periodic reappearances over the years. The 2010 version includes Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, Keller Williams (guitar, vocals) in July and Tim Bluhm of the Mother Hips (guitar, vocals) on later dates, Davy Knowles (guitar, vocals), Sikiru Adepoju (talking drum), and Andy Hess (bass). Watch The Devils perform originals and Grateful Dead tunes LIVE at The Rialto Theatre, next Wednesday, July 28. Tickets are still available online at rialtotheatre.com, at our box office (M-F, 12-6) and by phone at 520.740.1000 (M-F, 12-6).
Michael made a video announcement that you can see here:
And yes that is an exact scale replica of their tour bus.
Tickets will go on sale July 30th at 10am online at rialtotheatre.com, by phone at 520.740.1000 (M-F, 12-6) and through our box office (M-F, 12-6).
]]>Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 4 at 10am right here on The Rialto Theatre's website.
Bummer!
We will post here as soon as it's up and working again, so you can buy your tickets.
Sorry for the inconvenience. Please be patient--we're trying to be as well.
Ticketforce is back up! Online sales and the box office are now fully operational. Thanks for being patient!
]]>First up on June 2nd is the master of funk George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. You've never been properly funked until you've been funked by Mr. Clinton and his cosmic compadres. Don't be too late to get on board the Mothership. Tickets are available now at the Rialto Box Office or by phone at 740-1000 or by clicking right damn HERE.
Then on June 6th, we're very pleased to announce that Hip Hop legend Nas will be gracing the Rialto stage for the very first time. Widely regarded as one of the best MCs to ever rock a mic, Nas has several platinum albums and hit singles in his career, and is due to release his collaboration with Damian Marley, Distant Relatives, on May 18th. You do not want to miss this show -- it's a special treat to get to see an artist of Nas's caliber within the intimate confines of the historic Rialto Theatre. Get your ducats the same ways as usual: Rialto Box Office at 318 E. Congress St., 740-1000, or by clicking right HERE, right now.
]]>Refunds will be issued at point of purchase or automatically if you paid with a credit card.
We will be surprised if this doesn't continue to happen unless this bill is repealed or struck down by courts as unconstitutional.
If you support the Rialto and other businesses that are dependent on performing artists and tourism, please take a moment to let the state legislature and the Governor know that SB 1070 is hurting Arizona business.
Read more about it:
Cypress Hill's statement
The Tucson Sentinel covers the story
A post at the Arizona Daily Star
The Tucson Weekly posts the letter Rialto GM Curtis McCrary wrote to Cypress Hill to attempt to persuade them to undertake the show.
Coverage in the Phoenix New Times
The Arizona Republic writes about it (try to avoid the comments section unless you're a masochist or at war with common sense and good grammar).
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik explains why SB 1070 infringes on rights and is bad for local law enforcement offices (reposted from the Wall Street Journal).
]]>
Tickets on sale on this here Rialto Theatre website, by phone at 740.1000, at our box office (M-F, 12-6), or at Bookmans Entertainment Exchange.
It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of the entire 2010 North American tour for King Sunny Ade and his African Beats.
As some of you may have heard by this time, on March 26th 2010 a tragic car accident took the lives of two members of the African Beats, talking drummer Gabriel Ayanniyi and percussionist Omo Olope, who were en-route to a video shoot for a forthcoming recording. The initial response to this accident was a cancellation of all pending Nigerian shows and a period of mourning. While we were unable to reach the artist himself, staff members of the organization assured us that after a period of mourning the band would continue with their scheduled North American tour.
Over the following two weeks communications with the band and the artist became difficult. When the US Embassy refused to grant visas to replacement members in a timely manner, there was additional confusion about the possible courses of action. As time moved on and we began to see shows cancel one by one, it became clear that the artist and the band had neither recovered from the impact of the tragedy, nor were they able to find consensus on when and how to move forward with normal touring and performance activities.
At this time we feel the only responsible action is to cancel and withdraw from the remaining dates until such a time as King Sunny Ade and his group have sufficiently regrouped and are ready to face the rigors of an International tour again.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the band and the families of the deceased. On behalf of the artist and his band we extend our apologies to all the presenters and fans who will be disappointed by their inability to perform in North America this year.
Inquiries or condolences to the band directly may be referred to Chief K. Osayemi, osayemi2k@yahoo.com
With best regards
Andrew C. Frankel
Refunds available at point of purchase. Any tickets purchased through this website or at Rialto Theatre using a credit card will be refunded automatically, and will appear on your statement in 2-4 business days. We're very sorry for the inconvenience. Please feel free to contact the box office at 520-740-1000, Monday-Friday 12-6pm with any questions.
All roads lead back to Tucson.....and to Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, Bisbee and Tombstone as well!
Roger, PH, Nick and Jim have been busy writing and rehearsing songs for their next album. But they're anxious to get out of the house and play some shows! So starting Apr. 22 in Sedona, the boys will take a quick lap around the state for the Arizona Highways Tour.
These special concerts will truly be a unique and fun experience for everyone as RCPM travels to places they rarely get to play. The first three shows in Sedona, Flagstaff and Prescott will be RCPM Acoustic Trio. Hometown boys Roger, PH and Nick will treat fans to all the beloved RCPM and Refreshments classics delivered in a way rarely heard.
Jim then joins up with the band for a series of full-throttle rock shows at venues RCPM doesn't get to play often. Fans will not want to miss these special shows!
As a ''thank you' from RCPM for those who will be following the band from town to town, a special offer is available for the Tombstone, Tucson and Bisbee concerts. The first 100 people to buy a 3-show pass (www.rialtotheatre.com) will receive a free Corzo tequila drink and RCPM merch!
The Prescott show in front of the city courthouse is free. Fans are encouraged to bring canned food items for a corresponding food drive that day.
Roger was born and raised in Arizona, don't ya know, and he and the rest of RCPM are eager to give the home crowd a unique and memorable concert tour and to raise a glass and say, "¡Salúd!"
Apr. 22 - Sedona
Apr. 23 - Flagstaff
Apr. 24 - Prescott
Apr. 29 - Tombstone (buy tickets here)
Apr. 30 - Tucson (buy tickets here)
May 1 - Bisbee (buy tickets here)
Tickets for Tombstone, Tucson, Bisbee, and a 3-day pass for those shows are also available at www.rialtotheatre.com, the Rialto box office (M-F, 12-6) and by phone @ 520.740.1000.
]]>Refunds available at point of purchase. Any tickets purchased through this website or at Rialto Theatre using a credit card will be refunded automatically, and will appear on your statement in 2-4 business days. We're very sorry for the inconvenience. We hope they return soon!
]]>
"This shows the power of brotherly love and forgiveness," Mustaine says. "David Ellefson belongs in Megadeth. Next we are going to show you the power of getting your asses kicked...HARD!"
David Ellefson concurs: "This is a huge moment for all of us, band and fans alike. It is a great celebration of the music from one of the biggest landmark albums of our career."
Ellefson will join Mustaine and Megadeth band members Shawn Drover (drums) and Chris Broderick (guitar) on tour in support of the group's current CD Endgame, which has received some of the highest critical accolades of the band's career.
"We'd like to thank James LoMenzo for several years of loyal service on the bass, and wish him the very best," Mustaine adds.
For more information on Megadeth, go to: www.megadeth.com. Buy tickets for Megadeth's 'Rust In Peace' Tour with Testament and Exodus online here!
]]>
ON SALE NOW!
**THIS EVENT IS AT W. CUSHING ST. & S. MEYER AVE. ... IN THE STREETS OF BARRIO VIEJO**
Parking is available at TCC. Please, no street parking.
Enjoy music, food, drinks and crafts all day long!
2 stages of music, from 1pm to sunset.
The first 200 tickets available will be $15! Buy your tickets at rialtotheatre.com, The Rialto Theatre box office, 740.1000 or through KXCI.
$18 Tickets available in advance for KXCI members.
