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.

Kicking off their 13th Season!

Showing classic movies outdoors in downtown Tucson, 110 S. Church

every Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m.
May through October
$3 per person includes popcorn!

Schedule for May 2012:
May 3: Valley Girl
May 10: The Women
May 17: Shadow of a Doubt
May 24: A Streetcar Named Desire
May 31: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Wow, 13 years of movies in that outdoor setting at La Placita Village (SW corner of Broadway and Church, near the Zocalo). Lots of loyal fans & lovers of classic movies have been showing up for 13 years, rain or shine. If there’s heavy monsoon storms, there’s a phone number to call to check if the movie is showing or not –(520) 326-5282 for recorded information and rainout procedure.

And for the past 2 years, Cinema La Placita has been presenting movies for free as part of 2nd Saturdays Downtown, on the large wall in the empty lot on E. Congress between Scott and Stone Avenues. Coming up on May 14, Disney’s “The Incredibles”, new location on Jackson St., south of Broadway due to the construction.

Go to www.cinemalaplacita.com for the rest of the summer/fall schedule.

March 10, 2nd Saturday Downtown Tucson

Southern AZ Green Chamber of Commerce, 9 N. Scott Ave.
5pm-9pm: The Green Market – indoor retail space for green companies and individuals. From food and electric bicycles to artwork, solar and more. http://www.sagcc.org/

The Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit trade association of businesses, organizations, students and individuals interested in sustainability in Southern Arizona. The Green Chamber will direct its efforts at promoting the common economic interests of all its members and advocate a community based on ecologically sound policies and sustainable practices.

The Green Chamber will also work to enhance the green business climate in Southern Arizona by researching, educating and promoting sustainable practices to the business community; lobbying to enact practical legislation to encourage green practices in our community and assist businesses, organizations and individuals in maximizing their green footprints. It is not our intention to duplicate the offerings of other sustainable organizations but rather to complement them.

Their new office address as of March 5, 2012 is:
Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce
2840 N. Country Club Road (SAHBA Building)
Suite 1901
Tucson, Arizona 85716

For full schedule of events on 2nd Saturday Downtown’s urban street fest: www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com

Cinema La Placita will be showing that 1961 classic “West Side Story” at 6:30 p.m. on a large screen in the large empty lot on E. Congress, between Scott and Stone.