The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association is going bigger and better with a Festivus for the rest of us on Saturday.
The nonprofit has traditionally held its annual holiday fundraiser at the Unitarian Universalist Church on East 22nd St., but decided to raise the stakes this year.
Coordinators booked the spacious El Casino Ballroom and signed KXCI (91.3-FM) as a co-sponsor.
From there, it was just a matter of finding a theme for the event and tracking down some top local talent.
Jim Lipson, president of the TKMA, gives credit to KXCI general manager Randy Peterson for the Festivus idea, an alternative to Christmas and cult holiday made famous by the '90s sitcom "Seinfeld."
"Randy is a Festivus guy," Lipson said. "There have been Festivus events in one form or another for years since 'Seinfeld' ended. We wanted to have fun with it."
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Among the musicians wrangled into performing will be John Coinman, on break from touring with Kevin Costner & Modern West; Kevin Pakulis' new Americana project, The Coyote Supper Club; and blues player Stefan George's group, the Ditchriders.
The String Bean Folk Orchestra also will play, as will the world beat group Baba Marimba and blues violinist Heather Hardy.
"Heather is such an exciting performer," Lipson said. "She played our folk festival's Tucson Museum stage and had 350 people in the museum plaza just rocking out.
"These are some of the biggest names we could find locally that played within our sphere."
Lipson said, in keeping with the Festivus theme, there will be no holiday music at the show, just a healthy mix of folk, blues and Americana.
Any feats of strength or airing of grievances will also be held off, in lieu of dancing and dining. El Molinito will provide plates of food for $7.
Proceeds from the event benefit KXCI, as well as the annual TKMA folk festival, which takes place in early May.
Lipson said that he hopes the Festivus celebration will be just as popular as their past holiday events.
"We thought this would be something fun that would catch people in a different way."
If you go
• What: The Tucson Kitchen Musician Association's Festivus celebration and Dance Party.
• When: 6 p.m.-midnight Saturday.
• Where: El Casino Ballroom, 437 E. 26th St.
• Tickets: $10. Meals from El Molinito will be available for $7. Proceeds benefit KXCI and the 28th annual Tucson Folk Festival.
