Arizona Spotlight: Recent Episodes
Arizona Public Media
From state and local news to in-depth interviews with artists, authors, and the people behind the headlines, Arizona Spotlight keeps you informed on what's happening in Southern Arizona. New episodes air every Friday.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The connection between Alcatraz prison and the Hopi tribe of Arizona; The Tucson Pink Pistols make a comeback; and the former owner of Colette's remembers Tucson's queer nightlife in the '80s.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Mike Stark shares the natural history "Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird"; and "Stories that Soar!" asks that we look for beauty beyond the screen.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson youth explores emotion and expectations in his book "The Weight of Tomorrow"; and how Ability Dogs of Arizona pairs those in need with canine companions.
Get a behind the scenes view at what it is like to win on Jeopardy, and a new 10 minute drama that explores what stepping on a crack in the pavement can really do.
Poet and author Liza Porter, storyteller Carmelene Siani and artist Tim H. Murphy share how they're able to look to the future without despair.
Explore how the Master-Apprentice program offered by the Southwest Folklife Alliance is preserving not just mariachi music, but the involvement of women in mariachi. Also: Sound Fiction returns with James Mustard's "Homestead on Bellatrix Prime"; celebrating the return of the Elegant Trogon to Madera Canyon; and "A Book I Love" from Cyclovia Tucson 2025.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Film essayist Chris Dashiell; remembering James Mercer, a Pima County Ranger killed in action in 1914; and "Stories That Soar!" celebrates the sun.
On Arizona Spotlight: Join Pati Jinich as she explores "Panamericana"; and Tibetan Buddhist Lama Lodu Rinpoche visits Tucson to share ancient wisdom about our inner space.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: This month's storyteller shares about the one thing in life he cannot resist; and a new segment of "A Book I Love."
Meet Bruce Gungle an ultamarathon runner; learn about the University of Arizona women's triathlon team from triathlete Laura Holanszky; and hear about what it's like to bike almost every street in Tucson.
Learn about the All In for Autism Dino Day and Walk; Pima Community College's Climate Community Day; John Coinman returns to the 40th Annual Tucson Folk Festival; and a new "Stories That Soar!" with some 1st grade humor.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: "A SandHill Day" by nature writer Rebekah Doyle; and the final essay from "The Class of 2024" about how teens help each other through difficult times.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: "A Book I Love" from the 2025 Tucson Festival of Books; "The Class of 2024" continues; and Mary Jo Pollack shares the story of earning her driver's license in 1964.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson architect Paula Holmes at 100, a woman always ahead of her time; and Lilliona from "The Class of 2024" shares an essay about growing up in the digital age.
Kirsten Miller talks about her novel "Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books"; and Mike Stark shares the natural history "Starlings The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird".
Also on Arizona Spotlight: TIHAN provides kindness and support to those living with HIV or AIDS; and a new Ten-Minute Drama "Haricot Verts."
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Understanding canyons on the moon; and more voices from The Class of 2024.
Listen to stories from a 60-year career largely spent helping people in love build everlasting memories. Bill Medley has one of the most distinctive voices in music history, and now at age 84 is still singing the songs the people love, continuing the legacy of The Righteous Brothers. Also: Marquez Price's new book "The Backcourt"; and "The Class of 2024" continues.
"Stories that Soar!" asks that we look for beauty beyond the screen; and an essay series "The Class of 2024" begins.
Old Pueblo Playwrights take stories to the stage in their New Play Festival; and the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Hear how Micky Dolenz of The Monkees recent recordings are exploring new ground, and how he celebrates being part of one of the most popular bands of the 1960s. Also: Invisible Theatre's production of "What the Constitution Means to Me"; and how Adiba Nelson's new children's book is a love letter to those seeking representation and a connection to spirituality.
Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis has always been an ambassador of the purest form of New Orleans jazz. Delfeayo will be performing in the Tucson Jazz Festival at the Rialto Theatre. Also: Three emerging local jazz musicians; and storyteller Jess Losoya shares a story about freedom.
Jazz singer Dominique Eade, rocker Dweezil Zappa, and comedy legend Vicki Lawrence all bring their talents to The Old Pueblo.
We'll take you behind the scenes of the annual “LightsUp!” festival of illumination at Tucson Botanical Gardens. The documentary "Growing Tradition" provides details about this dazzling display that requires more than a million sparkling lights and other decorations. Also: Meet Glenda Bonin a storyteller, magician and puppeteer who shares her "Sleigh Bells" story.
ArtWorks is an all-day program for adults with developmental disabilities. Their art is being displayed at the Joseph Gross Gallery in an exhibit called “Won't You Be My Neighbor”, featuring a series of original house designs that combine imagination with the most important aspects of what makes a house a home. Also: How the Tucson Bird Alliance will be making a difference in 2025; and actor and history buff Fred Pitts brings his one-man show "Aren't You..?" to Tucson.
Learn about an annual art auction event held by BICAS in Tucson - where food and music are also a part of the mix. BICAS is a non-profit bicycle recycling center that helps improve accessibility and independence in our community by making affordable two-wheeled transportation available to everyone. Also: How Ittai Sopher, a former Arizona Spotlight producer, became a "Jeopardy" champion; Marquez Price on the value of doing a digital detox; and "Stories that Soar!
Meet the father and son founders of Spotlight Community Theater. It's a place where curious student-age children can learn about all aspects of the performing arts, with no experience required. Spotlight Community Theater is holding performances of “Cinderella” in December to raise money for charity. Also: A tale of true love that started in Tucson in 1943 that continues today; and historian David Leighton shares the history of the Reid Park Zoo.
“Children of the Holocaust” is a living-history project launched by AZPM. Project producer Laura Markowitz interviewed 20 survivors who were children during the Holocaust, and later settled in Southern Arizona. This week, hear the story of Paula Bronstein, a survivor who escaped the Nazis by hiding in Holland. It saved her life, but cost her her childhood. Bronstein passed away earlier this month, at age 87. Also: Beth Colburn Orozco shares the story of her search for the daughter she never knew.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent for the BBC, receives the 2024 Zenger Award for Press Freedom from the UA School of Journalism; and Richard Cachor Taylor's talks about his book "Birds of Arizona".
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Voices from the Tucson Pride Festival; emerging UA filmmakers take the stage at San Diego Comic-Con; and historian David Leighton shares the star-studded story of Nick C. Hall.
Featuring: The stars of Live Theatre Workshop's "Misery"; Broadway designer David Korins' creations from "Beetlejuice"; a ghost story from "Stories That Soar!"; and the supernatural invades suburbia in the Ten-Minute Drama "The Jack-O-Lantern".
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Find out how the Assistance League of Tucson has been helping people in need for 65 years; and cold blooded critters (and those who love them) gather for the 22nd Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show..
Jade Beall is a Tucson-based photographer with an eye for finding beauty all around her. Beall talks about her collection called “The Crone Body”, which contains intimate portraits that celebrate the changing wisdom and power of women as they age. Also: "Bad Art Night" at the Arizona Science Center offers people a chance to explore their curious side; and an asylum seeker shares his welcome to Tucson.
Long-time friends Molly McKasson and Susan Claassen have each created lasting legacies in Tucson, and next week they are reviving their sketch comedy act “Mols and Suz” for one night only at the Invisible Theatre. Also: The 3rd Annual Chinese Chorizo Festival celebrates culture, community and food; and Tucson native Jeff Biggers on co-writing "Disturbing the Bones".
One legendary day in 1956, four of America's leading music stars met and recorded a session together for the only time in history. Now the musical stage play “The Million Dollar Quartet” dramatizes the chemistry between Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, and it is being presented in Tucson by the Saguaro City Music Theatre. Also: Film Fest Tucson returns with independent and international cinematic gems; and "Stories that Soar!" explores the meaning and versatility of love.
Meet Awesta Zarif and Lucy Lavely, the stars from Arizona Theatre Company's new production of “Dial M for Murder”. Also: How Bisbee Bikeways want to make transportation safer and healthier; and learn the secrets of the Vegan Night Market.
The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre recreates the experience of old-time radio for a special event. Also: Monument Valley's important role in the classic westerns of John Ford and John Wayne; and a local librarian is recognized for his dedication to improving youth mental health.
A new documentary called “Final Vows” tells the story of a small order of cloistered nuns who live at Santa Rita Abbey, an isolated monastery in the high desert of Arizona. Dwindling numbers and old age threaten the order’s long-term survival, and the monastery stands in the path of new mining projects being dug south of the Grand Canyon. Also: The Rogue Theatre celebrates its 20th anniversary season; and "Stories That Soar!" presents a boy's remembrance of his father.
Nature writer and outdoors adventurer Rebekah Doyle shares an essay about her perspective on “Monsoon Magic”. Also: Reactions to the first load of uranium ore to come from the Pinyon Mine near The Grand Canyon; and "Concussion: The Play", a new Ten-Minute Drama.
Learn about some fascinating discoveries made in the Sonoran desert by Dr. Deni Seymour that shed new light on the history of first European settlement in North America. Also: Simon Donovan shares a story about a beloved dog named Betty.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Visit Valley of the Moon; Marquez Price on "digital detoxing"; and 65 years of local television history in the AZPM Video Archive.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The story of Nick C. Hall, the Mayor of Old Tucson, and a song about spreading love, joy, and hope.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Checking in with the Tucson Audubon Society; and a Tucson knitter who is making socks the REAL old-fashioned way.
On this Arizona Spotlight, hear three women who are telling vibrant stories across different mediums: Tucson-based author Lydia Millet; Author, educator and storyteller Molly McCloy; and local music artist Gabrielle Pietrangelo.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Visit the Word of Mouth Print Space; celebrate imagination at the Library's Megamania!! Festival; and meet the founder of the Naco Wellness Initiative.
Also: How art can help with in-hospital healing; Luis Alberto Urrea on how his literature career began; and "Stories That Soar!" considers the meaning of love.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The Pascua Yaqui Tribe welcome new leadership; and the legacy of screen actor Donald Sutherland.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: A local librarian is recognized for his dedication to youth mental health; and a personal story about what the U.S. flag can represent.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: A program called "Red, White and Blue" wants veterans,first responders and their loved ones to get the mental and emotional help they need.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Richard Davis remembes growing up in Tucson's Black community; learn about Aphasia, and a place in Tucson offering friendship and support for those living with it; and go storm chasing with "Stories That Soar!"
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The secrets of the Vegan Night Market; how the Noyce Teaching Scholarship is helping to find and retain good STEM teachers in Arizona; and Julie Sasse says goodbye to the Tucson Museum of Art.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Macro photographer Jillian Cowles peers into the private life of spiders; and Chris Dashiell visits "The Tomb of Ligeia".
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Tucson Tellers of Tales, a story from Nooshie Motaref, and a story from Penelope Starr
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The documentary "Fair Play" gives visibility to the unending work of new mothers; and explore the Brazilian martial art of capoeira.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: What "Bad Art Night" at the Arizona Science Center offers the creatively curious; "I Dream in Widescreen 2024" showcases a new class of film makers; and "Stories That Soar!" offers a 4th grader's perspective on "Self Love".
Also on Arizona Spotlight: A preview of the upcoming Tucson International Mariachi Conference; the peace and sisterhood of the Hamrah Arts Club; and the work of a largely forgotten female composer from the 18th century has a 21st century debut.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: NPR's Sarah McCammon on her autobiographical memoir "Ex-vangelicals"; and a story about lessons in Little league and life from Steve Braun.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The holistic housing approach of "I Am You 360"; and 10-Minute Dramas returns with "It's Saturday".
Also on Arizona Spotlight: "All In for Autism 2024" is about sharing resources and building community; Chris Dashiell reviews the documentary "Body Parts"; and a 5th grader's emotional song for her mother.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The sounds of a world gone by are being celebrated by a band called Piffaro; and a celebrating of creative writing returns to Cochise College.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: How Stories Change Lives - Social Venture Partners "Fast Pitch" offers opportunities for local non-profits; and Mel Blumenthal shares a story about being sneaky on a German train.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: UA receives a historic donation of WWII memorabilia; visitors to the 2024 Tucson Festival of Books share "A Book I Love"; and an essay about the beauty of Agua Caliente Hill.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The International Uranium Film Festival returns to Tucson; the comedy of Elliot Glicksman; and "Stories That Soar!" looks at how children cope with depression.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: "A Conversation with Edith Head" returns to Invisible Theatre; the founder of Odyssey Storytelling on building community for 20 years; and Luis Alberto Urrea remembers giving his first autograph.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Being last in line to get water from the Colorado River; and four short films debut at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Water us in Utah is draining Laker Powell; How Ehrenberg, Arizona got its name; and seeing color for the first time.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Arizona Theatre Company reveals "Intimate Apparel", starring Tracey N. Bonner, directed by Oz Scott.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The inspiring story of Shirley Chisholm on stage; and an ambitious new musical called "Alice by Heart".
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal on helping loved ones survive dark times; and, how do YOU pronounce "Sahuarita"?
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The Pima County Public Library brings MegaMania! back to Tucson; and Arizona Illustrated's new series of poetic short films.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Family and friends hold a unique memorial for a loved one; and the musical bond shared by Emma and Martha Peterson.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Local experts weigh in on feeding the future; Meet composer and pianst Larry Redhouse; and a new series of productions at The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre called The Late Night Radio Hour.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Hydropower on the Navajo Nation; Preview the upcoming Oro Valley Arts Festival; Listen to a poem by Rick Wamer, and a new song from Gabrielle Pietrangelo.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: How Prop 308 made higher education attainable for undocumented students; and why Kidz At Play is not a rap group.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Alejandro Canelos' short stories explore secrets of the desert; How Bisbee is supporting Arizona's pollinators; and the Arizona Wildlife Federation celebrates 100 years.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: How teachers are dealing with AI in classrooms; and a story of survival in plain sight from Children of the Holocaust.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: NPR's Ari Shapiro on "Och & Oy: A Considered Cabaret"; Luis Alberto Urrea recalls his friendship with K. Le Guin ; and, Stories that Soar! returns with "The Spelling Test".
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Author Kerri Maher on her latest novel "All You Have to Do Is Call"; and, a conversation with the cast of Saguaro City Music Theatre's "Little Shop of Horrors."
Also on Arizona Spotlight: The Chinese Chorizo Festival returns to Tucson; A conversation with Nabil Ayers on his debut novel; And, a look into this year's Film Fest Tucson.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: True Concord Voices & Orchestra celebrates their 20th season with "Songs of America" featuring the work of Raven Chacon; and, Stories the Soar!
Also on Arizona Spotlight: Arizona Insect Festival returns to the University of Arizona; A look into how adaptive sports are building up Tucson's youth, and a post card from the 2023 Arizona Youth & Peace Conference.
Also on Arizona Spotlight: "The Hidden Battle" co-director Anne Dalton on overcoming the stigma around mental illness, and artist Beth Surdut on the mechanics of listening and "Uncommon Knowledge".