Blogger Pam Powers (“Tucson Progressive”) announced this event (with an online poll): http://tucsoncitizen.com/tucson-progressive/2012/04/30/public-forum-today-should-rta-knock-down-100-buildings-to-make-broadway-look-like-a-freeway-poll/

The $71 M plan would call for widening of Broadway from Euclid to Country Club, affecting about 115 businesses on the north side, and historic buildings, neighborhoods such as Rincon Heights and Sam Hughes (on the National Historic Registry). Both Presidents of those neighborhoods spoke against the plan.

Speakers last evening at the press conference:

1) Ward 6 Councilmember Steve Kozachik
2) Mark Kerr, aide to Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres
3) Colby Henley, President of Rincon Hts. Neighborhood
4) Jessica Shuman, business owner of Kismet, 2627 E Broadway
5) John O’Dowd, President of Sam Hughes Neighborhood Assn.
6) Sid Hirsch, business owner of Hirsch’s Shoes, 2934 E. Broadway
7) Rev. Stuart Taylor, Tucson Bus Riders’ Union,
Eight) Demion Clinco, Pres. of Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation
9) District 5 Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias

Video below of the press conference courtesy of John Brakey, Co-founder of AUDIT-AZ:

Also present were: Ward 2 Councilmember Paul Cunningham, former State House Rep. Ted Downing, former Sahuarita Councilmember Rosanna Gabaldon, former Mayoral candidate Rick Grinnell, District 3 Supervisor candidate Tanner Bell, former State Senator John Kromko, attorney Bill Risner, former TUSD Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer, Brian Flagg from Casa Maria Kitchen, Donovan Durband Administrator from Parkwise, former Green Party candidates Dave Croteau (Mayor), Beryl Baker (Ward 1 Council), Kent Solberg (LD 27 House). I estimated the crowd at about 200 people, many of whom arrived by bicycle.

Steve K said that 15-20 neighborhoods were represented at the press conference, and I recognized neighborhood leaders from: Rincon Hts, Sam Hughes, Colonia Solana, El Encanto Estates, Arroyo Chico, Broadway-Broadmoor, Campbell-Grant, Catalina Vista, even Udall Park Neighborhood out east. Aides from the Council offices of Ward 1, 2, 5 and 6 were present as well.

If you feel strongly about this issue, contact the Mayor/City Councilmembers or your Supervisor at Pima County. Supervisor Richard Elias said yesterday that the citizens had to “force change to happen”, if they felt this 25 year old plan to widen Broadway was not necessary. Many of the speakers requested that the historic buildings be preserved, that small businesses on Broadway not be affected by any widening.

Steve K also noted during this one hour (6 to 7 p.m. on a Monday) that there was no traffic congestion on Broadway next to the church. My husband also told me that he was down there on Broadway (between Highland & Park) that same afternoon between 3:30 and 4 p.m. and there was no traffic jam.

Photo of crowd yesterday at press conference, courtesy of Pam Powers Hannley.

A year ago on May 8, 2010 a bunch of committed people kicked off the first 2nd Saturdays Downtown, and what a huge success that was. And almost every one since then has been fantastic.

The next huge urban street fest is set for next Saturday May 14 (on Congress Street, between the Fox Tucson Theatre and the Hotel Congress).

And here’s the list of the hard working Steering Committee members from their website:

Luke Cusack, Congress Street Clubs
Beth Dell, Beowulf Alley Theatre
Donovan Durband, Ward VI Office
John Flanagan, Flanagan’s Celtic Corner
Nicole Flowers, 47 Scott
Michael Keith, Downtown Tucson Partnership
Danielle Leines, Strongpoint PR
Jamie Manser, Zocalo Tucson Magazine
Fletcher McCusker, Providence Service Corp.
Erika O’Dowd, Cinema La Placita
David Olsen, Zocalo Tucson Magazine
Randy Petersen, KXCI
Julie Ray, Julie Ray Creative
Mia Schnaible, Screening Room
Monica Surfaro Spigelman, Tucson Cowgirl Communications
David Slutes, Hotel Congress

It has continued every 2nd Saturday since, except for January 8, 2011 for obvious reasons when most events were canceled due to the Tucson mass shooting. (And I think I’ve been to every one except perhaps for July, 2010).

Log onto to their website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com. The May 14 event schedule is online, plus photos of past 2nd Saturdays Downtown happenings.

Cinema La Placita will be showing the Walt Disney children’s film “Fantasia” on the large empty wall on Congress Street (between Scott Avenue and Stone Avenue).

And mark your calendars for the upcoming 2nd Saturdays Downtown in 2011:

June 11
July 9
August 13
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10

Thank you to all the steering committee members for all the hard work to keep this popular urban street fest going for a whole year. And what a lot of fun it has been for 12 months!

And here’s the photo gallery of the May 8, 2010 very first successful 2nd Saturdays Downtown (click here.)

Has it only been a year since UA Associate Director of Athletics for Facilities and Project Management Steve Kozachik was sworn in as the City of Tucson’s Ward 6 Councilmember? He and his staff should be congratulated on their hard work, especially on Rio Nuevo issues.

And Steve had never held public office before, so he had a lot to learn about the City of Tucson’s financial situation. He is a Republican and defeated Democratic incumbent Councilmember Nina Trasoff in November, 2009.

Councilmember Steve Kozachik

Council Office: Ward Six staff
Ann Charles, Council Adminstrative Assistant
Barbara Jacob, Administrative Assistant
Donovan Durband, Council Administrative Assistant
Teresa Olson, Council Administrative Assistant
Christal Ferree, Executive Assistant

Donovan used to write for us at Tucsoncitizen.com (“Urban Durband”) until he was hired by Steve.

Join them for a non-partisan holiday party for all.

Happy Holidays!

Ward 3 Council office is having their holiday event today (no fancy flyer received, just an email notice):

Holiday Event and State of the Ward with Council Member Karin Uhlich -
December 15 – 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres from Pastiche. Ward 3
Council Office, 1510 E. Grant Road. A presentation from the Ward 3
Neighbors’ Alliance will start the evening off with their agenda for
the first quarter of 2011.

Councilmember Karin Uhlich

Council Office: Ward Three Staff
Tamara Prime, Chief of Staff
George Pettit, Council Administrative Assistant
Linda Mehall, Office Supervisor
Lisa Ross, Administrative Assistant

This is Democratic Councilmember Uhlich’s 2nd term in office. She defeated Republican incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Kathleen Dunbar in 2005, and Republican challenger Ben Buehler-Garcia and Green Party challenger Mary DeCamp in 2009. She is the Executive Director for the Center for Economic Integrity.

Season’s greetings to all.

Attend either or both of these Council offices’ holiday events, and get to know your Councilmembers.

Toby Chivers

Event schedule to date from website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.org.

Scott Avenue Stage (between Congress St. and Broadway Blvd.):

6:00pm-7:00pm: A Son y Sol (Latin American music with a twist)
7:15pm-8:30pm: Banana Gun (upbeat acoustic)
8:45pm-10:00pm: Jumper (power-pop)

Along Congress Street:

Art Car Exhibit: 10+ vehicles presented by Automorphosis
Odyssey Storytelling: Look for the StoryArts Cart on the topic – “Masks: Hidden Identities”
5:30 pm-6:15pm: 7 Pipers Band – bagpipers
7pm-9pm: Critical Stilts – Stilt walking & dancing
6pm-10pm: Living Statues, presented by Parasol Project (see photo below courtesy of Donovan Durband)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Ronstadt Transit Center @ 6th Ave & Congress Street:
5:30pm-7pm: Les Avenge – beat boy acrobatics
7:00pm-8:00pm: Desert Melodies
8:00pm-9:00pm: The Technophobes – candy folk music
9:00pm-10:00pm: Honey Pistol – folk rock/indie/acoustic
7pm-9pm: Magician John Coppin
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Indian Village Lot – Kid’s Corner! Between Stone & Scott on Congress:
West wall: Cinema La Placita screens “Alice in Wonderland” & an encore presentation of a compilation of music videos from the Tucson Film & Music Festival.
East Wall: Ultimate Electronics hosts Rock Band video competitions.

Plus art activities for the kids, an anti-gravity jumping device and more!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Old Pueblo Garage, 27 E. Congress Street:
6pm-8pm: Blanco Cliff & John White – blues

……………………………………………………………………………………

NW Corner – Congress St./Stone Ave:
6pm-8pm: The Missing Parts – Folk music from an undiscovered country

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

SW Corner – Congress St./Stone Ave:
7:30pm-10pm: Les Avenge – Beat boy acrobatics
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Chicago Store, 130 E. Congress Street:
6pm-10pm: One Phat DJ
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

June’s Corner Store, 10 E. Broadway Blvd.
6:30pm-8pm: TBA
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Flanagan’s Celtic Corner, 222 E. Congress Street:
Annual Celtic Pumpkin and Gourd Carving Contest. Gift Certificates to Flanagan’s Celtic Corner will be awarded.

———

And over at El Presidio Park and the Jacome Library Plaza of the Joel D. Valdez Main library is Tucson Meet Yourself, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., also on Saturday! Read my blog on that annual event (click here).

Upcoming 2nd Saturdays Downtown: Saturday, November 13, 2010 and Saturday, December 11, 2010.

Photos below all courtesy of Ward 6 Council aide Donovan Durband.

7 Pipers bagpiping down Congress Street

Here’s a photo of one of the acrobatic performers with “The Fying Tortillas” aka Les Avenge at the Ronstadt Transit Center.

Lot of delicious food vendors selling a variety of cuisine are available each month.

Laos Student Club food vendor

These four human statues called the “7 Blahs” (Parasol Project) would stand perfectly still until someone gave them money, then they would shout out “blah, blah, blah” and dance. Very amusing for the kids.

Screening Room marquee (flamenco dancers inside)

The Missing Parts street musicians

Fox Theater crowd down the street

Anna Warr & Giant Blue Band performed inside the Fox Theater

large crowd in the Empty Lot on Congress

puppet vendor on Scott Avenue

Good night from three of the “7 Blahs”.

Next 2nd Saturdays Downtown slated for October 9.

Be there.

Two for the price of none: 2nd Saturdays Downtown and Rendezvous on 4th Avenue, both on 9/11. Read on about these two free urban street fests:

On the Scott Avenue Stage (between Congress and Broadway):

6:30pm-7:30pm: The Dusty Buskers – Performing with their latest four-man lineup, featuring award-winning banjo player Rudy Cortese and Hadji Banjovi of The Brambleberries on bucket bass. “Celtic-bluegrass tunes with a punk attitude and a subversive comedic slant.” TucsonScene.com

7:45pm-9:00pm: Sentido – Featuring guitarists Justin Fernandez and Brian Scott (formerly of Tesero) and bass player Andrew McClarron, the band showcases traditional Spanish flamenco music, while also incorporating lively danceable rhumba pieces. The style is comparable to the likes of the Gipsy Kings and Paco de Lu

9:15pm-10:30pm: Fourkiller Flats – “An alt-country combo that combines elements of post-punk rock with a decidedly country bent.” – Stephen Seigel, Tucson Weekly

And at the Fox Tucson Theatre (free concert) at 17 W. Congress St.:

7pm-9pm: Anna Warr and Giant Blue Band – “rock and blues served with brass and sass!”

Doors open at the beautiful Fox Theater at 6 p.m.

STICKSnFINGERS Caribbean group with dancers on August 14 at the Fox Theater, courtesy of Jon Scanlon

2nd Saturdays Downtown is more than the music performances, it’s an urban street fest with vendors selling all kinds of food, arts & crafts, some advertising programs. There have also been human statues, street musicians, telescope viewing, circus acts, free advice by a guy with a stand, tarot card readings at the past 2nd Saturdays– since the inaugural event on May 8, 2010. And most of the businesses on and around Congress Street are open for business, even the art galleries.

Big Skye pie makers, courtesy of Donovan Durband

I usually look for the friendly pie makers (Big Skye) at Ronstadt Transit Center, to enjoy one of their many delicious pies. And they’re inexpensive too!

So venture on downtown via car, bus, bike, motorcycle, skateboard, or walk under the 4th Avenue Underpass for another family-friendly urban street fest on Saturday September 11, the 9th anniversary of 9/11/01.

“Rendezvous on 4th Avenue” is also happening Saturday night as well, from 5 to 9 p.m. between University Blvd. and E. Ninth Street (north of that 4th Avenue Underpass). Live music, merchant sidewalk sales, fashion show at 7:30 p.m. at Winsett Outdoor Performance Center, 316 N. 4th Avenue. More info: www.fourthavenue.org

Rendezvous on 4th Avenue poster

UPDATE: Photos of this great 9/11 event, courtesy of Donovan Durband:

http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2010/09/12/photos-of-another-great-2nd-saturdays-downtown-fest/

human statue, courtesy of Donovan Durband

A Son y Sol at Ronstadt Transit Center, courtesy of Donovan Durband

Roll Acosta on the Scott Avenue Stage, courtesy of Donovan Durband

A couple of art receptions were going on as well at Arts Marketplace (featuring artist Mel Dominguez), teen art at The Drawing Studio, and “The Art of Functional Fashion” mixed in with bike training (with drums!) at the newly opened 02 Modern Fitness center at 186 E. Broadway (corner of 5th Avenue). Over on Congress, Daniel Martin Diaz was showing his art in Sacred Machine (photo below). There was definitely diverse community art to choose from last night.

Daniel Martin Diaz's Sacred Machine gallery, courtesy of Donovan Durband

Also here are some photos by Jon Scanlon for Tucson’s Birthday at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

standing room only at the Fox Theater, courtesy of Jon Scanlon

We spent almost our entire time at the free Fox Tucson Theater concert, featuring first The Seven Pipers Scottish bagpipe troupe, then the Gospel Music Workshop of America, followed by former Tucson Citizen staffer Daniel Buckley‘s video of Cele Peterson, and a short talk by “Big Jim” Griffith (of Tucson Meet Yourself fame), then lots of great music.

Gabriel Ayala at the Fox, courtesy of Jon Scanlon

Gabriel Ayala (Native American guitarist) was followed by STICKSnFINGERS Caribbean band with 5 calypso like dancers, Chinese Lion dancers of the Tucson Chinese School, then guitarist Salvador Duran (with Chili Willie on bongos), Los Gallegos (4 talented brothers), and finally Mariachi Sonido de Mexico with singer Olga Flores. Wow, it was a multi-cultural fest of terrific local music & dance, for over two hours.

Sticks & Fingers with dancers, courtesy of Jon Scanlon

Chili Willie with Salvador Duran, courtesy of Jon Scanlon

Los Gallegos at the Fox, courtesy of Jon Scanlon

Mariachi Sonido de Mexico, courtesy of Jon Scanlon

“Big Jim” on stage said it all “This is our community, and ain’t it great?” This event was a tribute to Tucson’s “First Lady of Fashion”, Cele Peterson, who passed away at age 101 in May of this year. For more photos of this Fox Birthday event, go to the Tucson Birthday website (Flickr) for Jon Scanlon’s photo file (click here).

If you haven’t been to a 2nd Saturdays Downtown event yet, mark your calendars for the next one on September 11. It’s a family-friendly event as well, as shown by this photo last night of these joyful little boys playing with bubbles:

boys playing with bubbles, courtesy of Donovan Durband

logo

It’s that time of month again, time for the second 2nd Saturdays Downtown “Urban Street Fest” on June 12.

Last month the inaugural event attracted about ten thousand partiers to “eat, drink, be merry” & explore, listen to varieties of music, watch performers & circus acts, purchase goodies and clothes, etc. etc. on E. Congress Street between the infamous Hotel Congress and Church Avenue. Last month there was even a guy giving out “free advice for 5 cents.”

Here’s a photo gallery (click here) of the some of the happenings on May 8, but the upcoming schedule for Saturday June 12 sounds fantastic as well.

Time: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Be there.

The outdoor stage will again be located on Scott Avenue at Broadway and will feature local bands.

* 6:30 p.m. – Drama Club, a 60’s soul and funk band
* 7:45 p.m. – Leila Lopez, a folk/fusion guitarist and vocalist and
* 9:15 p.m. – The Sand Rubies, a Tucson Weekly Hall of Fame band known for straight on rock and roll.

The Fox Theatre (17 W. Congress) will again be offering FREE admission and will feature Creedence Again, the country’s premier Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band from Chicago. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the first set at 7:00 p.m.

Human statues at Chicago Store on May 8, courtesy of Donovan Durband

Street musicians from a cappella performers, a pipe and drum corps, country artists to jazz musicians will line Congress and Sixth Avenue along with food vendors and local craftsmen.

See photo on left of human statues on E. Congress St. at the 1st “2nd Saturdays Downtown” on May 8th.

There’s no better reason to go downtown. For more info, log onto www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

Update: photos of this second fest click here.

Jamie O’Brien was playing his uplifting Irish music at One North Fifth (with Sharon Goldwasser on violin & mandolin), then I rambled over to the lovely Fox Tucson Theatre to hear the renowned Portland Cello Project (five cello musicians) on stage with a drummer. They played a haunting “Godfather Theme” in the first hour and even a rousing singalong “Hey ya”, followed by several lively songs with Weinland (a vocal guitarist).

Then I ran into fellow TC.com blogger Charles Spillar (“Artistic Tucson”) and we set off to explore two fabulous L.A. themed bars– Sapphire Lounge (rooftop bar, with several floors of ultra elegant dance/lounge areas) at 61 E. Congress, then Zen Rock, an equally elegant dance/lounge with a basement at 121 E. Congress. Wow, neither of us could believe these two high scale bars existed on Congress Street.

Then we checked out “Catacoustic Groove” a men’s cappella rock/soul/R & B group of six fellows including Dr. Bruce Bayly, an old friend of mine. They were drawing a large crowd at the Ronstadt Transit Center.

Also happening: a rock sound stage on Scott Avenue with The Modeens, The Mission Creeps, and Greyhound Soul, and nearby the Tucson Circus Arts with people on stilts, who teach juggling, clowning & taiko drumming. A local pie maker (Big Skye) sold me a delicious strawberry/rhubard pie. It seems street musicians were everywhere, along with mimes/human statues with grey faces & costumes, and a good mix of food and craft vendors. Most of the restaurants on E. Congress were open and doing good business as well. Stefan George was performing over at the Hotel Congress for free.

Cinema La Placita showed Beatles’ movies on a large screen projected on the wall of the large empty lot on E. Congress between Scott and Stone, and Ultimate Electronics encouraged youth to participate in karaoke/musical instrument participatory singalongs, also Beatles’ music. I loved hearing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” again. Cinema La Placita organizer Erika O’Dowd was passing out flyers for their upcoming Beatles movie on May 13, “A Hard Day’s Night.”

Need I say more? It was a fantastic “Urban Street Fest.” Kudos to former TC.com blogger Donovan Durband and his new boss Ward 6 Councilmember Steve Kozachik who apparently had a big hand in pulling this event together. Both men were present as well, enjoying themselves.

And as Everett, the guy with a humorous “Free advice for 5 cents” stand on the corner of Congress/6th Avenue said “my advice is to come back” for another 2nd Saturday. I recommend we all take his advice.

The second 2nd Saturdays Downtown is slated for June 12. Don’t miss it.

5/9/10 UPDATE: Photo gallery of shots taken by Donovan click here.