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.

More Hot Hot Hot! music this coming Saturday July 14 at 2nd Saturdays Downtown.

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

Temperatures are now getting up into the 100′s and people are questioning if it’s too hot to party?

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!