September 11 marked the fifth 2nd Saturdays Downtown on and around E. Congress Street, filled with revelers, street musicians, more and more art & craft vendors, delicious food, and shows at all three theaters– the Rialto, the Screening Room and the Fox. We caught a bit of flamenco at the Screening Room, then listened to a lively free concert by Anna Warr & Giant Blue Band (six musicians with trumpets and saxophones, guitar, keyboards, drums).

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.

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Can it be that time again? For the fun-filled and eventful downtown urban street fest? Go on downtown to E. Congress Street on August 14, starting at 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Here’s the event schedules:

At the Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress, for free, starting at 7 p.m.:

Celebrate Tucson flyer

Celebrate Tucson! A Tribute to the Cultures of Tucson (and a tribute in memory to Cele Peterson):
Featuring entertainment from local groups including STICKSnFINGERS, Los Gallegos, and Mariachi Sonido de Mexico. Special guests include Olga Flores, Salvador Duran, Gabriel Ayala, and the Gospel Music Workshop of America, as well as the Tucson Chinese School Lion Dancers.
This event is co-sponsored by District 5 Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias and SEIU (Service Employees International Union).

At the Scott Avenue Stage (between E. Congress and E. Broadway):

6:30pm-7:30pm: Roll Acosta: Acoustic/Pop/Rock

7:45-9pm: Triple Double Band: Psychedelic/Reggae/Swing

9:15pm-10:30pm: The Tryst: Funk/Jazz/Soul
“Contenders in three categories for the 2010 TAMMIES (Tucson Area Music Awards) – best jazz band, best female vocalist and best horn player. Come and see why they are deserving of such accolades!”

Plus lots of craft vendors, food booths, street performers. Human statues (see photos courtesy of Donovan Dean Durband below) have been present before at other Saturdays, but sadly not this weekend. There’s always lots to do and lots to enjoy every 2nd Saturday Downtown.

Check it all out on their website at www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

Enjoy this urban street fest. Tell all your friends!

male human statue with drums at July's 2nd Saturdays Downtown

female human statue at July's 2nd Saturdays Downtown

8/15/10 UPDATE (photo gallery, click here).

Sad to say, I missed this huge downtown urban fest last night, but here are Donovan Dean Durband’s photos of all the fun. Thousands of people attended as usual, and had another fantastic urban fest downtown. Next one is scheduled for Saturday August 14, and we’ll be sure to attend then. Enjoy the photos below, more great photos on their website, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

Kids Unlimited at Ronstadt Transit Center

Flying Tortillas performer actually flying

Human statue on Congress Street

Day of the Dead crafts on sale

Seashell Radio on Scott Avenue stage

Human statue

Flam Chen & Daniel Martin Diaz at Sacred Machine gallery

Kate Becker & the Zodiacs

Flam Chen friends on stilts

Large crowd outside of the Fox Theater

Large crowd at Scott Avenue stage