Known for celebrating and reuniting the best music Arizona has produced over the past decades, HocoFest finally addresses the popular and influential punk rock scene, and doing so in grand style. Several of Arizona’s most prominent punk rock acts from the last twenty years – including one surprise act- reunite for this one rare and explosive night of music, kicking off the Hocofest 2009 Club Congress stage. Headlining the proceedings is arguably Arizona’s most nationally well-known punk rock act, JFA (Jodie Foster’s Army). It’s been 17 years since they have played here, but the band has lost none of the energy that propelled them to national prominence in the 80’s. 

Tucson’s hugely popular Blood Spasm and Feast Upon Cactus Thorns (more widely known for their unprintable acronym) led the Old pueblo’s punk rock scene from the mid eighties through the 90’s and now both will do the same again, reuniting exclusively for this night. Cosmic Jackhammer, another one of the best Tucson punk rock acts from the 90’s round out the Tucson contingent.  Stage sponsor, Missouri’s DC JAM Records, has also been able to convince legendary LA punk rock act Painted Willie to commence the proceedings, kicking off the five band blow out (six, if we include the unannounced “surprise act”). If you are a fan of old school, meat and potatoes Arizona punk rock, this is a very rare, and not to be missed showcase. As with all the Hocofest nights, tickets are only $10 in advance ($25 for all three days), and sell-outs are extremely likely. This night is also combined with the outside Latin stage, increasing the likelihood of early sell-outs. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended.

For the first time in it’s five-year history, Hocofest hosts an incredible night of the best Latin music from Tucson and beyond. Focusing on history, variety, quality and most importantly –fun – the night will feature more acts than one stage can contain.

2^nd STAGE ADDED. The night will start with the incredible youth mariachi troupe Mariachi Tesoro, followed by the high energy of the 10-piece salsa band La Unica. The amazing 15 piece “indie-mambo” of Sergio Mendozo Y la Orkesta are up next. It’s no secret that Sergio has the HOTTEST band in the state right now. Sergio is already packing the Rialto Theatre and have a scheduled tour with Calexico this summer. Not bad for an act that didn’t exist six months ago! If you haven’t seen them yet, now is the time. 

Closing out the night is very special treat - internationally known, Mexican Institute of Sound (http://www.institutomexicanodelsonido.com/) Hailing from Mexico City – and flying in exclusively for Hocofest, mastermind Camilo Lara will create his exciting mix of mariachi, hip hop, rock and electronica, for an after party that will be hard to top the rest of the festival. In between the main stage acts Los Gallegos, Grupo Sonido and Jose Pepe Saavedra will perform on a secondary stage outside!

As with all the Hocofest nights, tickets are only $10 in advance ($25 for all three days), and sell-outs are extremely likely. This night is also combined with the inside AZ Punk Rock Reunion Showcase, increasing the likelihood of early sell-outs. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended.

ONLY $10 Per night

$25 3 day pass

Sell out very likely, buy now!

Friday

7pm Doors

Outside Latin Stage with :

Mariachi Tesoro, Orquesta la Unica, Mexican Institute of Sound,  Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta Los Gallegos, Grupo Sonido and Jose Pepe Saavedra!

Club Stage:

AZ Punk Rock Reunion with :

JFA ,  Blood Spasm,  Feast Upon Cactus Thorns,  Cosmic Jackhammer,  Special Punk Rock Dj,  Joe E. ( No Bull show KXCI)

Saturday

5pm doors

Outdoor Solar Stage

Nick Luca BBQ Party W/ Friends

then

Tim Lee3, Golden Boots,  X - John Doe/Exene Cervenka rare duo performance, Dellinger Kirkwood, Meat Puppets and friends

Club Stage:

Alana Sweetwater

Recycled Fashion show with Preen and Buffalo Exchange!

Then  Dance Party with BANG! BANG!

Sunday

Doors 5pm

Outdoor Solar Stage:

Al Perry BBQ Party, Lonna Kelley, Walter Salas-Humara

Sleepercar, Calexico

Club Stage:

Matt Ellis, Cracker

After party with :

Neil Hamburger

Har Mar Superstar

Limited 3 Day Pass

This will sell out!

For the first time in it’s five-year history, Hocofest hosts an incredible night of the best Latin music from Tucson and beyond. Focusing on history, variety, quality and most importantly –fun – the night will feature more acts than one stage can contain.

2^nd STAGE ADDED. The night will start with the incredible youth mariachi troupe Mariachi Tesoro, followed by the high energy of the 10-piece salsa band La Unica. The amazing 15 piece “indie-mambo” of Sergio Mendozo Y la Orkesta are up next. It’s no secret that Sergio has the HOTTEST band in the state right now. Sergio is already packing the Rialto Theatre and have a scheduled tour with Calexico this summer. Not bad for an act that didn’t exist six months ago! If you haven’t seen them yet, now is the time. 

Closing out the night is very special treat - internationally known, Mexican Institute of Sound (http://www.institutomexicanodelsonido.com/) Hailing from Mexico City – and flying in exclusively for Hocofest, mastermind Camilo Lara will create his exciting mix of mariachi, hip hop, rock and electronica, for an after party that will be hard to top the rest of the festival. In between the main stage acts mariachi and cumbia  groups will perform on a secondary stage outside.

As with all the Hocofest nights, tickets are only $10 in advance ($25 for all three days), and sell-outs are extremely likely. This night is also combined with the inside AZ Punk Rock Reunion Showcase, increasing the likelihood of early sell-outs. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended.

Top national acts, prominent local acts, a Sonoran BBQ and a dance party are featured on Night Two of the fifth annual Hocofest, Arizona’s solar powered music festival. Starting Friday the 4th with the first AZ Punk Rock reunion Stage and the inaugural Latin Music stage, Hocofest goes back to its roots, featuring return visits from the Meat Puppets and John Doe. This year is special – both the Meat Puppets and John Doe are bringing special guests. Joining the Meat Puppets is the buzz laden Kirkwood Dellinger, featuring Elmo Kirkwood -Meat Puppets leader Kirk Kirkwood’s son. John Doe does also comes in with a bang, bringing along Exene Cervanka, his partner in the legendary X. In over 30 years of performing this is the first year they have performed as a duo.

The evening gets underway with the Nick Luca BBQ. Nick will host the early stage with various local luminaries, then will be followed by former Windbreaker’s new band the Tim Lee 3.

The night also features the 3^rd Annual Buffalo Exchange Recycled Fashion Show inside the Club. With music provided by Alana Sweetwater, this popular event tips it’s hat to the overall eco-friendly theme of Hoco, having models take the catwalk with outfits designed entirely from recycled material. Every year, inventive, outrageous and almost wearable garments are paraded in front of the raucous crowd. Always a highlight of the festival.  Matt McCoy closes out the night with his popular Bang Bang dance party, right up 2AM.

As with all the Hocofest nights, tickets are only $10 in advance ($25 for all three days), and sell-outs are extremely likely. If there any tickets remaining day of, we recommend arriving early as there is an expected likelihood of early sell-outs. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended.

Favorite sons Calexico are teamed with national favorites Cracker, to close out the fifth Annual Hocofest Music Festival, Arizonas’ Solar Powered Music Festival.

Like Saturday’s event, the closing night kicks off at 5pm with the popular Sonoran BBQ hosted by the legendary Al Perry. His guests include Silo’s frontman Walter Salas-Humara and phoenix chanteuse Lonna Kelley.  Then a duo of great headlining acts, Sleepercar and Calexico follow one after another in a no-filler showcase. Inside, rising national star Matt Ellis gets things warmed up for the great Cracker. This wouldn’t be Hoco without a great after party, and this year both Neil Hamburger and Har Mar Superstar join the festival activities with a midnight party. Har Mar’s last performance at Club Congress was a chaotic, drunken, improvisational, work of bad performance art. We could not wait to ask him back. As with all the Hocofest nights, tickets are only $10 in advance ($25 for all three days), and sell-outs are extremely likely. If there any tickets remaining day of, we recommend arriving early as there is an expected likelihood of early sell-outs. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended.

MR. MOCOS: “YOU CAN PICK YOUR FRIENDS”

Local Musician Appeals To Both Kids and Adults

Musician/singer “Mr. Mocos” will be our featured act at Hoco Family Fest and will perform songs from his new rock and roll album “You Can Pick Your Friends.” The hilarious, high-energy, original music with guitar riffs galore, is sure to have kids in stitches and dancing with their parents as the “big kids” reminisce about their own childhood. Remember getting flip-flop blowouts or building your own rocket ship out of a cardboard box?

 "Many of my friends who have families are listening to repetitive, tiresome songs just to appease their children.  I thought, why not make music for kids AND parents to enjoy together?” said producer Jim Gyuro, the mastermind behind Mr. Mocos’ catchy tunes.  Gyuro said the songs were spawned from his own great childhood memories and hopes they will spark a memory or two for other parents as well.

Gyuro has been writing music and performing in bands for over 15 years.  The self-produced album was recorded in Gyuro’s Tucson, Arizona, home studio and mixed at Jim Brady Studios, with assistance from jazz-great Jeff Haskell.  For the past year, Mr. Mocos has been entertaining young audiences and their parents during festive children’s rock concerts in Southern Arizona.  Today, fans can find out why “G-I Joe Married Barbie” or listen to a Johnny Cash-style “Ballard of The Bubblegum Kid”, by downloading songs on the Internet.

You can order a copy of the CD, visit iTunes, CDBaby.com, Digstation.com and Amazon.com or these local stores in Tucson, Arizona: Charlie’s Comic Books, Kid’s Center, Bohemia and Mildred and Dildred.

Odaiko Sonora, Tucson’s premiere taiko, or Japanese ensemble drumming group will be performing at Hoco Eco-Fair Sunday, September 6th!

Serving southern AZ since May 2002, Odaiko Sonora is dedicated to increasing familiarity with and understanding of taiko in our community. Odaiko Sonora is also dedicated to offering our region the finest taiko performance possible. They do this for over 13,000 people each year through classes and master workshops, performances, school residencies, teambuilding workshops and by producing concerts by internationally acclaimed taiko artists.

SOUND, MIND, BODY & SPIRIT are the principles behind Odaiko Sonora’s teaching and playing. Our students and members strive always to honor the traditions of taiko as they have come to us through our teachers, to honor our audiences through the artistic quality of our presentations.