Happy 2025!

I hope your New Year is off to a good start and will be full of good health, joy and music! Tucson is alive with so many events, concerts and opportunities for the community to gather together in person or on the radio. 

This Monday from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm KXCI continues our longstanding tradition of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our Director of Education and Community Engagement Stephanie Engs has highlighted several local community events that commemorate Dr. King for your consideration and inspiration.

KXCI is proud to once again sponsor the Tucson Jazz Festival, which kicked off this weekend and runs through the next one. An amazing array of treasured artists and rising stars grace stages large and small all around downtown from the Fox to The Century Room, Rialto Theatre to the Hotel Congress Plaza and a free afternoon of music this Monday, January 20th at Corbett's and the outdoor stage on 7th Street at 6th Avenue.

Check out our Locals Only session with Unified Field Theory for insight into the local jazz scene and to hear some of the extraordinary young musicians who will be performing on Saturday at 191 Toole for the festival. Also save the date for Sage Lacapa, who will be live in Studio 2A this Monday for Locals Only.

And speaking of things to look forward to, get your tickets now for KXCI’s Baila el Pueblo–A Desert Music Festival on Saturday, March 22nd. This outdoor festival at MSA Annex features an incredible array of international, regional and local artists and vendors representing cultural traditions of the Old Pueblo in a benefit for KXCI.

Read on to find out more about all these and other happenings in our community. I hope to see you out there! Say hello if you see my dad and me on the dance floor.

Duncan Hudson

KXCI Music Director

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Featured Programming, Monday January 20th

KXCI Community Radio is proud to continue our long-standing tradition of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Monday, January 20th, 2025, we invite you to join us for a day of featured programming as we reflect on his profound impact and enduring vision.

Beginning at 5 am, KXCI DJs will pay tribute to Dr. King. They will share music from Black artists, sounds of the civil rights era, excerpts from his historic speeches, and community, weaving a rich tapestry that celebrates his life’s work and ongoing influence.

Dr. King’s powerful words and ideas continue to inspire action and hope. Each year, this day serves as a moment to reflect on where we have been, where we are now, and the future we can create together. This year’s community and national theme is Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365.

We hope you will tune in and join us as we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, honor his vision, and reaffirm our commitment to work towards a better future for all.

Tucson Jazz Festival

January 17th-25th

The Tucson Jazz Festival is taking place January 17th-25th. Over ten days the Jazz music-centric festival features musicians of every caliber - from seasoned veterans to rising stars. Artists will perform in venues all around Downtown, from main-stage concerts and intimate club shows to impromptu jams and artist panel discussions. For the complete list, to purchase tickets and for additional information download the new TJF2025 app or visit Tucson Jazz Festival.

Revisit Unified Field Theory

Live in Studio 2A on Locals Only

From January 6, 2025

Unified Field Theory is a Tucson-based jazz group featuring many of the most talented young musicians on the local scene. The band is led by bass player extraordinaire Patrick Morris, who also writes and produces the music. For this Locals Only live session in KXCI’s Studio 2A, the band lineup included: Alassane Diarra on keyboards and vocals, Casey Hadland (who leads sunCHower) on drums and Ryan Wheless (who leads Space Travelers Union) on saxophone.

As a part of the Tucson Jazz Festival, a dynamic showcase of the local jazz scene that blurs the lines between jazz, art rock, hip hop and indie-soul will feature sunCHower, Space Travelers Union and Alassane at 191 Toole on Saturday, January 18th.

Sage Lacapa – Live on Locals Only

Monday, January 20th at 9 pm

Sage Lacapa and bandmates will stop by Locals Only on Monday January 20th for a performance and interview at 9PM. Tune in at 91.3 FM or livestream the performance here.

Sage Lacapa is a White Mountain Apache musician. He is releasing singles to promote an upcoming album set to release in April of this year. Sage Lacapa gives a refreshing take on blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and folk music. His band consists of Kirin Vicenti (Jicarilla Apache) on backup vocals and singing saw, Samuel Redbird (Hopi) on drums, and Eros De Paz on bass and electric guitar.

Follow Sage Lacapa:

Instagram: @sagelacapa

Facebook: Sage Lacapa

Linktree: Sage Lacapa

Learn more about Locals Only on KXCI on our Locals Only program page.

KXCI Presents! Ani DiFranco

Monday, January 20th Rialto Theatre

Ticket Giveaway Contest

Ani DiFranco 

w/Joy Clark

Rialto Theatre

Doors: 6:30 pm / Show: 7:30 pm

All Ages – $36.50-$52 Buy Tickets

Ani DiFranco is widely considered a feminist icon and the mother of the DIY indie movement, being one of the first artists to create her own record label in 1990. While she has been known as the “Little Folksinger,” her music has embraced punk, funk, hip hop, jazz, soul, electronica and even more distant sounds.

*CLICK FOR CONTEST RULES* The deadline to enter is through noon, Sunday, January 19th. The winners of (1) pair of tickets will be selected at random (one entry per person). Ticket winners will be put on the guest list and must present ID at the venue box office on the night of the show to gain entry. Winners will be notified to the email address entered in the contest after the deadline and drawing.

KXCI's Baila el Pueblo–A Desert Music Festival will showcase a vibrant array of musical traditions from around the southwest. There will be local food vendors and artisans on-site. 

Internationally touring artist Reyna Tropical will headline the festival. Inspired by the wide-reaching cultural traditions of Peru, Colombia, and the Congo, trailblazing guitarist and songwriter Fabi Reyna remixes and melds these influences to create a tropical feel. Regional artists include Los Esplifs, Native Creed, Hataałii, Nicosa, MizSkoden and Las Chollas Peligrosas. Poster artwork by Alex Jimenez.

Start the Year in Style with

KXCI’s Exclusive Merch

Start 2025 in style with a limited-edition KXCI crewneck sweatshirt featuring artwork by acclaimed local artist Jessica Gonzales. Known for her stunning murals across the Southwest, Jessica has captured KXCI’s Tucson soundscape in vibrant hues of turquoise, curry, and paprika. These cozy sweatshirts are perfect for the season and are available in select sizes at KXCI.org for a limited time.

Don’t miss out on our 40th-anniversary sale! Amazing deals on special anniversary items are still available while supplies last. Grab one of our heritage shirts designed by Danny Martin and Tom Walbank for just $5!



Our online store is stocked with something for everyone: KXCI mugs, adorable onesies, iconic T-shirts, socks, hats, stainless steel tumblers, tote bags, bandanas, and even a clear KXCI concert bag—perfect for live music fans. We ship anywhere in the U.S. Visit the Shop page on our website to share the spirit of KXCI with your loved ones this year.