It’s almost three years since the very first 2nd Saturday Downtown kicked off on May 8, 2010 (click here for the first photo gallery), and the fun & excitement has continued every month since then (except for a few nights with a bit of inclement rainy weather, and also on January 8, 2011 after that mass shooting in Tucson).

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.

photo courtesy of Donovan Durband

From 2ndsaturdaysdowntown website for October 8:

At the Fox: The Tucson Symphony will make their encore appearance at the Fox Tucson Theatre and kick off the downtown-wide Who Shot Rock and Roll events and exhibits.

On the Scott Avenue Stage: In line with the celebrations of Tucson Rocks – featuring local exhibits of rock and roll photography at Tucson Museum of Art and Etherton Gallery, along with Zocalo’s pop-up gallery of local photographers, the outdoor stage hosts bands spanning the rock and roll gamut!

6pm-7:15pm: Combo Westside – “five member Tucson-based ensemble that blends more traditional latin genres such as bossa nova and bolero with contemporary music styles such as rhythm and blues, soul and funk”.

7:30pm-8:45pm: Cheepness “Sonoran Dirty Rock” – the kind of rock that recalls a time when cranking guitar extravaganzas were the highest order of the day and rock fans were damn glad of it.

9pm-10:15pm: The Mission Creeps “Surf-damaged-Rock-n-Roll” – a throwback to the dangerous edge of The Stooges and the serrated humour of The Cramps.

At the Rialto Arts & Antiquities Patio (SE corner of 5th Ave. & Congress St.): Kevin and Tanishia Hamilton present SW Soul Celebration. Starts at 6pm.

This year Tucson’s Pride on Parade will be held in conjunction with 2nd Saturdays Downtown. The theme is “People Representing Individuality, Diversity and Equality.” The parade will start at 6th Street and Pennington at 8:00 p.m. & go south, then west on Congress to Stone Ave. Grand Marshalls are Wendell Hicks (Executive Director, Southern AZ Aids Foundation), Dr. Heather Moroso (founder of Positively Beautiful), Scott Blades (Executive Director of Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network), & Jeffrey Scott Brown (creator of the AIDS Ribbon). Info: www.TucsonPride.org or call 520-622-3200.

Jonathan Rothschild, J.D.

Jonathan Rothschild, a Democratic attorney born & raised in Tucson who has never held public office before, filed his official papers for Mayor of the City of Tucson today at the City Clerk’s Office. A statement of organization for his Exploratory Committee for Mayor was filed back in July, 2010.

He held a fundraiser on December 7 at Etherton Gallery (click here) after I first reported about his exploratory committee back in September (click here).

He said today in a press release:

“Tucson needs a mayor who will get the job done,” Rothschild said. “All the things we’ve talked about for years, from economic development to downtown revitalization, need to get done and done responsibly. We’re coming through tough economic times.Tucsonans don’t expect things to come easy. They know it will be hard, but they expect results.”

In Tucson, competing interests have often clashed, with the unfortunate result of nothing being done and everyone being frustrated. Rothschild has spent a 30-year career in law at the head of a negotiating table, bringing people together, finding the shared interests of all involved and coming up with workable solutions. “We need leadership willing to tackle challenges head-on and make the city of Tucson what Tucsonans deserve,” Rothschild said. “We must put our differences aside and come together. That’s how we build a better Tucson.”

Former Ward 5 Council candidate Republican Shaun McClusky has already announced his intention to seek this Mayoral seat (click here).

No word yet from 3 term Republican Mayor Bob Walkup whether he will seek re-election. Read my previous blog about “Will Mayor Walkup run again?

Democratic Councilwoman Shirley Scott has indicated that she will NOT be running for Mayor, but seeking re-election to her 5th term in Ward 4. I refer to her conversation with Bill Buckmaster on KJLL radio on January 12 (click here). She will be facing opposition from Republican Mike Jenkins, who had challenged her in November 2003, and announced his formal candidacy today as well, in front of the Ward 4 council office.

And reports indicate that Ward 3 Councilmember Karin Uhlich is not interested in running for Mayor either.

Rothschild’s campaign website: www.jonathanformayor.com.

To keep up to date on candidate listings with the City Clerk of Tucson (click here), and the link on the left is “2011 Candidate listing”).

Jonathan speaks tonight at 7 p.m. at the Saguaro Eastside Democrats meeting, at the New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 Old Spanish Trail (northeast corner at Camino Seco). Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. Website: http://saguaroeastsidedemocrats.org/

He will be also be speaking at high noon on Jan. 31 at the Democrats of Greater Tucson lunch meeting at Dragon View restaurant, 400 N. Bonita Ave. Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers will also be speaking. Cost of lunch is $8.50 which includes tax and tip for the Chinese buffet. Website: www.tucsondemocrats.org.