I’ve been blogging about this monthly event every month before the 2nd Saturday of the month. There’s been free outdoor movies to see hosted by Cinema La Placita and even often free films (or live performances) at The Screening Room (127 E. Congress St.). This Saturday the Cinema La Placita showing is at a new location: the Old Pueblo parking lot, 43 E. Congress St. between Scott & Stone Ave.

There’s been live music bands on the streets of E. Congress and close by, on the large Scott Avenue Stage (between Congress and Broadway), and at both the Fox and Rialto Theaters.

Performing along E. Congress are usually the 7 Pipers Band (Scottish bagpipes), and sometimes the mute or singing/dancing living statues from the Parasol Project. Tucson Circus Artists on stilts are usually entertaining downtown.

Food vendors and art & craft merchants are often selling their wares somewhere near the Scott Avenue Stage (there’s been some changes due to the modern streetcar construction). And eclectic art receptions have been held at Sacred Machine (245 E. Congress), The Drawing Studio (33 S. 6th Ave.), Dragonfly Gallery (146 E. Broadway), and Etherton Gallery (135 S. 6th Ave.)

Check out the event schedule every month at www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

There’s even entertainment now (or so I hear) on the top of the somewhat new green Pennington Street Garage (110. E. Pennington). This venue is being abbreviated as T.O.P. (Top Of Pennington) with jazz, rock & roll music, etc. Check it out.

And if you’re new to Tucson, or rarely go downtown, here’s your chance to enjoy downtown Tucson, mostly for free at this urban street fest. Just find Congress Street and roam around that area between the Hotel Congress & Rialto Theater on the east end, to the Fox Theater on the west end.

Performances by:

Out of Kilters
Eric Wilson
Celtic Moonshine
Seven Pipers Highland Dancers
Lykiska
The Tucson and District Pipe Band

More info at www.tucsoncelticfestival.org. My husband and I volunteered at the last Celtic Festival, mainly because we’re lived in England in two cities, honeymooned in Ireland, traveled to Scotland and Wales, and enjoy these cultures. And I love hearing “Scotland the Brave” on the bagpipes played by men (and women) in kilts of the Seven Pipers Band at 2nd Saturdays Downtown.

Enjoy that whisky tasting.

I love hearing taiko drumming probably because of my Japanese ethnicity, but so do a lot of people all over the world who aren’t Japanese. Venture downtown on 2nd Saturday Downtown on March 9, to hear this lively Tucson taiko group Odaiko Sonora (who celebrated their tenth year anniversary in 2012). They will be performing at 5 p.m. (to 5:45 p.m.) at the Scott Avenue Stage (between Congress and Broadway).

Odaiko Sonora is Tucson’s taiko, or Japanese ensemble drumming group. Serving southern AZ since May 2002, Odaiko Sonora is dedicated to increasing familiarity with and understanding of taiko in our community. We do this for over 30,000 people each year through classes and master workshops, performances, school residencies, teambuilding workshops and by producing concerts by internationally acclaimed taiko artists.

Lots more info here: www.tucsontaiko.org.

They will also be at Tucson Festival of Books on March 10, 1 p.m. at the UA Mall, in the Education Bldg. room 310:

Rome, Karen and Shiro (aka Bugsy) will participate in “Bringing the Arts, Literacy and Technology Together for Kids,” a session for educators and parents. We will be announcing the release of a new book featuring our plucky hero Asako and her devoted, magical dog.

I wrote about their first book “Asako, The Girl who Saved Her Village” last year (click here). They are working on a new book entitled “Asako, the Girl who Woke the Sun”, and it reportedly references the Uzume/origin of taiko myth, and is a story about Yokai spirits and magic. The plot is that young Asako journeys with her dog Shiro to find sacred drum beats that will coax the sun back.

Asako who woke the sun, illustrated by Nadia Hagen, preview image courtesy of Odaiko Sonora

For more events on 2nd Saturday Downtown on March 9, go to their event schedule (click here).

For more events at Tucson Festival of Books (March 9 and 10) go to their website (click here).

Pima Council on Aging’s Ages ‘n Stages Expo

March 1 and 2, 2013
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tucson Convention Center
260 S. Church Avenue
(north of Cushing Street, west of Church Ave.)

Free event, an active adult lifestyle expo with booths, activities, exhibits, entertainment, seminars.

Sponsored by Carondelet and 2nd Saturdays Downtown and benefiting Pima Council on Aging, www.pcoa.org.

And in case you’re wondering, here’s a list of the exhibitors and map of the TCC floor plan (click here).

And if you want to see a winning movie about love and aging, check out 2013 Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film “Amour” at the Loft theater (click here).

The weather is warming up and Valentine’s Day is coming.

So is 2nd Saturday Downtown, Tucson’s popular urban street fest in downtown, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com. We usually check out the monthly art receptions, musical shows on the Scott Avenue Stage, Fox Theater, the food & craft booths, etc.

Artist Yoshi Nakano will be having a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 9th, for his one man “Brush Spirit” show, which opened at The Drawing Studio, 33 S. 6th Ave. on Feb. 2nd. He uses five elements: brush, sumi ink, washi (Japanese paper), pigment, and beeswax. The show runs through Feb. 24. We viewed his art on Feb. 2nd and it is very beautiful and elegant, especially one particular piece entitled “Into the Storm”.

“Into the Storm” by Yoshi Nakano, courtesy of the artist

Says Nakano, “My artwork is inspired by the wabi sabi spirits of nature and seasonal change. Through the daily practice of meditation, qi gong, and yoga, my awareness of how I communicate is transformed. This spirit comes through brush, ink, wax, pigment and water onto paper. Each brush stroke is filled with breath and spirit. The brush is synchronized to my breath. I follow the brush to meet my true self. In this moment, I am in a holistic state of being art.”

Yoshi Nakano’s artwork

Last Saturday he was also teaching Japanese calligraphy during his opening reception.

Artist Yoshi Nakano teaching calligraphy to young Sophia Venning, photo courtesy of mother Kresta Venning

Stop by the Drawing Studio on Saturday to see Yoshi’s art. And as for the other fun activities on February 9th, click here.

Despite the Sun Link construction on Congress Street and more construction on E. Broadway, 2nd Saturdays Downtown in still continuing, though the crowds have lessened. Here’s your chance to check out the restaurants, music stages, and art galleries around downtown in the cool of the evening.

Next one is comning up on Saturday Sept. 8, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (or later at the bars).

Check out the website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com for the full schedule, as always.

At the Fox Tucson Theatre for Downtown 2nd Saturdays: LeeAnne Savage

Saturday, September 8, 2012, 7:00 pm

Free Admission!

LeeAnne Savage

This high-energy performing artist successfully performed in and around the western US since 1995 with a collection of high caliber of musicians. Making her home in Arizona, many of her bands were not only very popular with fellow Arizonans, but received high accolades such as several TAMMIES (Tucson Arizona Music Awards) for Best Band, Best Musician, Best Vocalist.

And over at Cinema La Placita at 7 p.m. (empty lot on Jackson St. south of Broadway, west of Scott Ave.):

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM (2006)
Starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, and Ricky Gervais.

A newly recruited night security guard at the Museum of Natural History discovers that an ancient curse causes the animals and exhibits on display to come to life and wreak havoc.

Enjoy this entertainment, all happening downtown!

Most of you know that I try to report on every 2nd Saturday Downtown event, as I am committed to encouraging people to enjoy the events downtown. I used to work downtown for various jobs, and still hear cases at our courtroom at La Placita Village.

So once again this is just my reminder about the huge urban street festival on Saturday August 11. View the website here for lots of fun events as usual, plus an art reception at The Drawing Studio, 33 S. 6th Avenue, from 4 to 7 p.m.. I went to the July 28 opening of their current exhibit “The Art of Summer” of creative youth art (ages 9 to 18) from their summer classes. The show continues to August 25. I’ve also enjoyed several art classes from Drawing Studio instructors over the years.

And if this youth art show isn’t uplifting enough, catch a free showing of “Up” at Cinema La Placita’s temporary venue at Jackson Street (parking lot, one block south of Broadway Boulevard & between Scott & Stone Avenues). Synopsis of their film from their website :

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 “UP” (2009) PG 7:30 p.m.
Starring Ed Asner

By tying thousands of balloons to his home, 78-year-old Carl sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years younger, inadvertently becomes a stowaway

And if you’ve never been to this over 2 year old festival (started in May 2010), then treat yourself to an urban delight night.

Dance to the lively beat of Caribbean drums from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Ronstadt Transit Center (NE corner of 6th Avenue and Congress St.), with Sticks & Fingers.

Richard Noel playing the steel drums with Sticks & Fingers

Sticks and Fingers is a dynamic percussion group that produces a joyful Afro-Caribbean sound. Their range of musical genres is vast… from Calypso, Soca, Reggae and African beat to American Standards. The artists integrate various percussion instruments into all these diverse compositions together with dance and vocals, transporting their audience to a festive, joyful experience in the tropics.

Founder/percussionist Richard Noel is from the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. He recently produced a new CD called “Taking it Higher”. I have been seeing & hearing Sticks & Fingers perform their dynamic music downtown over the past few years, and just recently met Richard at the 2012 Tucson World RefugeeFEST. He plays the steel drums and Congas, Bongos, Timbales, Djembe, and Bells.

Sticks & Fingers website: www.rdnoel.com.

More info about other happenings on and around Congress Street on Saturday: www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com

Not so, so check out the usual fun happenings on June 9, at 2nd Saturday Downtown’s urban street festival. Click here for full event schedule.

And this Saturday, there’s going to be free admission to a Pink Floyd Tribute by “Atom Heart Mother” at 7 p.m. at the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress.

That sounds awesome for you Pink Floyd fans.

More upcomng events (concerts & classic movies) at the Fox, click here.

And for you former CD 8 Congresswoman “Gabby” Giffords fans & friends, she’s supposed to make an appearance over at the Rialto Theater, 318 E.Congress (near the 4th Avenue Underpass):

FREE “GET OUT THE VOTE CONCERT AND RALLY FOR RON BARBER” with Sergio Mendoza Y La Orkesta, Joey Burns & Jacob Valenzuela of Calexico, Salvador Duran, and Kevin Pakulis Band featuring Amy Langley. All ages – free. Doors open at 5 p.m., concert goes to 8 p.m.

Democrat Ron Barber is running to replace Giffords in CD 8 U.S.House, against Republican Jesse Kelly and Green Charlie Manolakis. The special general election is next week on June 12.

Enjoy a hot 2nd Saturdays Downtown on June 9!

With the temporary closing of part of E. Congress Street for the Sun Link modern streetcar construction, going downtown has been a bit of a challenge. However, 2nd Saturdays Downtown did happen last month on April 14, and will be held again on Saturday May 14.

Downtowntucson.org reports that Scott Avenue will be expanded down to Jackson Street to accommodate the construction: http://www.downtowntucson.org/2012/05/2nd-saturdays-moves-to-scott-avenue/

Full event schedule at the 2nd Saturdays Downtown website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

And click here for a detour map: http://www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Detour-Plan.pdf. Consider taking the Sun Tran bus, biking, walking, skateboarding, to ease up some of the traffic going downtown. But remember that 6th Avenue south of E. 6th Street is now two ways for easier access, so there is parking still available, just not on Congress.

Support downtown and continue to enjoy this wildly popular & successful urban street fest, with lively music, great selection of food, crafts, movies, art receptions, science exhibits, classic cars, etc. etc. Most events are free except for the food.

Showing at The Drawing Studio, 33 S. 6th Avenue are whimsical and satirical cartoons by David Kish, who draws the Hoopleville Comics in The Tucson Weekly. I went to the opening reception last Saturday, and the show is open again this 2nd Saturday, and will continue till May 26.