Let's extend a warm welcome to Dani, the new Events Liaison at Bookmans Speedway. This lady is ready to rock and roll and craft her heart out. She brings with her an extensive background including experience in theatre arts, running the kids department at Barnes and Noble and coordinating art for the University of Arizona's Student Union Galleries. She'll need that experience because Bookmans Speedway is known for its expansive and enthusiastic fan base. We asked Dani a few questions to better get to know her and to show you why she'll fit right in.

What will you strive for in your new position?
My immediate goal is to learn all facets of the position. Being new to Bookmans the task is daunting and proficiency is my main priority. Past that, I hope to help fill Bookmans with as much fun, positive energy, creativity and enjoyment as possible. I hope to continue the Bookmans tradition of being Tucson's "Go-To Place" for arts, entertainment and philanthropy.

How do you plan to make the job your own?
Nature's shoes are impossible to fill, he was a singular personality at Bookmans and was much loved. Typically, local music has been one of Bookmans' entertainment mainstays. I hope to, not replace, but expand upon that performance base into other performance genres and fine arts exhibitions. Given that I'm still learning, time and experience will show what plays an Bookmans.

What are your favorite tools of the trade?
So many of my trade tools are new to me, I am excited to learn and utilize our social media outlets, like Twitter and Facebook. I have an abiding love for children's literature, specifically picture books. Many artists find employment illustrating children's picture books and it is an endless reservoir of talent.

What do you do when you're not at Bookmans?
I have strong family ties in Tucson and spend most of my outside time with them. Specifically my husband, Dionne and my 15-year-old daughter Sage Rain, who is already a frighteningly proficient artist and cartoonist and who is a freshman at City High here in Tucson. I am also an audiobook fanatic and am passionate about literature in general. I believe it to be the distillation of all human thought, learning and expression and that writing is the noblest of endeavors.

What are you currently recommending in books, movies and music?
My favs are too numerous to list, so an abbreviated list would include authors such as Tom Robbins, Kurt Vonnegut, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I was never a big fan of Steven King until I read his book Insomnia, which led me to King's Magnum Opus, "The Dark Tower" series. I am also a fan of Australian director Baz Luhrman, especially his interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, and the ghastly opulent Moulin Rogue. My musical tastes run the gamut, one of my favs is the aria from Delibes' opera Lakme (an otherwise uninspired piece of work). However, I also love everything from Dwight Yokum to Metallica from Guns and Roses to Patsy Cline, Nirvana and Mudhoney, the Eagles to Arrested Development and everything in between.