Arizoniques

No Business Like Show Business

Arizona now hosts not one but three Actors Equity theaters: the Arizona Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Phoenix, and Actors Lab. Performing in Tucson, Phoenix, and Scottsdale, these professional companies provide high-calibre entertainment, often staging critically acclaimed shows. Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) is based in Tucson but brings each of its half-dozen shows a season to Phoenix. In Tucson it performs at the historic Temple of Music and Art; in Phoenix, it appears at the Herberger Theater Center. This fall the season officially opens October 13 (preview performances begin October 6) and runs through May. For tickets, telephone 6222823 (Tucson) or 252-TIXS (Phoenix). Actors Theatre of Phoenix, a company dedicated to hiring only Arizona actors, is resident at the Herberger Theater Center's Stage West. Its season of five plays runs from October through May. For detailed information, telephone 279-6790; for tickets, 252-TIXS.

ARIZONIQUES Mystery Figures

Most of the Grand Canyon's 3 million visitors a year are unaware that human beings were there some 4,000 years ago. While archeologists know little about them, those early hunters left some intriguing evidence of their presence. Well preserved in the dust of isolated caves are beautifully made splitwillow twig figurines. These were first discovered about 50 years ago, but until the development of radiocarbon dating, their great antiquity was not known. Perhaps these figurines, placed in shrines or under rocks on the cave floors, were some sort of imitative magic. Make an effigy of the animal you're hunting (deer or bighorn sheep), pierce it with another twig (a ritual spear), and you might have more success during the hunt. Some of these figurines also have been found in caves of the Mojave Desert, in Nevada, and elsewhere in northern Arizona, but most have been recovered from the Grand Canyon. They may be seen in the museum at the National Park Service Visitor Center on the South Rim.

Saguaro Blues

Can a saguaro get sick of civilization? That's a question the National Park Service is trying to answer at its Saguaro National Monument near Tucson. Ever since the monument was established in 1933 to protect the distinctive plants, its borders have been crowded steadily by the growing city. Coincidentally, there's been a decline in the number of adult saguaros. Some researchers blame an increasingly harsh climate, cattle grazing, and cactus kidnapping. But now they suspect that the real threat to the still-impressive saguaro forests, which attract 700,000 visitors a year, could be bad air: specifically, the pollution churned out by vehicles in the Tucson basin, copper smelters, and other regional sources. The park service has been monitoring pollution at the monument for several years, and at times ozone nudges levels unhealthful for humans — an ominous sign, for plants can be more sensitive to this pollutant than people. Ozone from the Los Angeles basin, for example, has all but eliminated ponderosa pines in that area, and has crept east to damage plants in Joshua Tree National Monument.

Bob Hall, chief of Saguaro National Monument's Division of Resource Management, says one symptom of pollution overload may be the evident premature “browning” — a darkening and toughening of the saguaro's outer skin due to stress.

In a detailed study, scientists will measure the browning, test cuttings and soil for traces of pollutants, and grow saguaro seedlings and a garden of pollutionsensitive plants that will serve a similar function as canaries in old underground mines — when the canaries passed out, the miners knew the air was bad.

Hall puts his faith in the hardiness of the long-term desert survivor: “I've got a feeling that if you come around here in 100 years, you're going to see saguaros.”

Calendar September 1-3, Oatman.

The town's annual Gold Camp Days celebration takes place on Main Street, featuring a treasure hunt, the international “burro biscuit” tossing contest, an old miners look-alike contest, parade, games, contests, prizes, and gunfights. Telephone 768-4603.

September 1-3, Tombstone.

The annual Rendezvous of Gunfighters reenacts the shootout near the OK Corral with much hoopla and festivity. Telephone 457-2202.

September 12, Sun City West.

Lawrence Welk opened the Sundome 10 years ago. Returning to mark the event are some of the best performers to share Welk's spotlight, including accordionist Myron Floren, dance team Bobby Burgess and Elaine Balden, singer Ralna English, and dancer-marimba player Jack Imel. Special celebration begins at 6:30 P.M. Telephone 975-1900.

September 15-16, Payson.

The State Championship Fiddlers Contest draws players from around the state who compete to earn a trip to the national championship. Telephone 474-4515 or 474-5450.

September 22, Sedona.

Enjoy contemporary music in a spectacular setting during Jazz on the Rocks. Telephone 282-1985.

September 28-October 7, Grand Canyon Village.

The Grand Canyon to Mexico Almost Across Arizona Bike Tour begins here and goes to Nogales. Bus and bike transportation is available from Phoenix and Tucson to the Grand Canyon; participants also will have return transportation from Nogales. To celebrate the Tour's 10th anniversary, a special ride will depart September 24 from Scottsdale for the Grand Canyon. Telephone 885-8807.

For a more complete calendar of events, write to Arizona Office of Tourism, 1100 W. Washington Street, Phoenix 85007. Unless otherwise noted, all telephone numbers are within area code 602.