Of all the radio cowboys in history only one can claim the title as the most inept in the west. Sightless by choice, the Blind Ranger wears a sleeping mask both day and night in an attempt to sharpen his other senses. The result is a quartet of remaining senses which are about as sharp as a beach ball. Berto is his ever-frustrated, but much brighter sidekick. You’ll feel his pain. Still, you gotta love a cowboy in a sleeping mask who bellows, “Quiet, Berto, and let my ears do their exquisite work!”

Audience members are chosen at random to participate in a quiz show all about Arizona. It’s a pretty straight forward affair. If they get the right answer, they win a prize, blah, blah, blah. Quite frankly, you’d have to have the IQ of cactus to get the answer wrong. Here’s a few samples.

1. Which of the following mottos appears on Arizona’s lisence plate?
A. The Grand Canyon State
B. Land of Five Man-Made Quickly Evaporating Lakes.
C. Don’t Tread On My Mullet
D. Back off, I’m packin’ heat

2. Which of the following is a popular political action group in Arizona?
A. The Sierra Club
B. African-Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans for the reinstatement of Ev Mecham
C. The Sun City/Liesure World Alliance for eliminating the speed limit
D. Scottsdale Citizens for more Trailer Parks

3. Which of the following is a true Arizona musical event?
A. Sedona’s Jazz on the Rocks
B. The Apache Junction Fusion Jazz Festival
C. Arpio-palooza
D. The Arizona Mormon Choir Trash Rap Festival

A hilarious look back at Arizona’s past complete with live sound effects, “On This Day” pokes light-hearted fun at the history of our dry little corner of the universe. Characters might include the spanish explorer Coronado and his constant grumbling about armor chaffing, Jackie Mason-like camels imported from the Middle East to build a road across Arizona, and an interview with the Lost Dutchman himself.

Elliott Power has returned to Citrus Valley, Arizona. Sometimes he wonders why. Life was good in California where he wrote movies for silent screen cowboys. Then one December day, bombs fell on Pearl Harbor and Elliot felt the call home to his father’s hot, dusty citrus farm. His hands have never felt more awkward. His family has never seemed more odd or more extraordinary, and was it really this hot when he lived here before?! Set during the golden age of radio, The Life and Times of Elliot Power is a comedy-drama which focuses on the meaning of home, family, and the wonderful insanity of living in the Valley of the Sun.

Arizona may suffer the occasional drought, but there’s no dearth of musical talent here in the Grand Canyon State. You’ll see the best of the best on the CVP stage. Special musical guests include the incomprable Margo Reed and Igor’s Jazz Cowboys. Special guests also come in the non-musical variety such as Arizona humorist and historian Marshall Trimble.

• Pics of Betty Blake & Marshall Trimble...