2012 Moctoberfest performers, courtesy of Karel Moonen

MoCtober Festival 2013
www.moctoberfest.com

A Spring Carnival & Fundraiser for Many Mouths One Stomach (MMOS)

MoctoberFest is an April Fool’s Carnival, Beer festival, and Community Arts Fundraiser for All Souls Procession curators Many Mouths One Stomach. (Last year we raised nearly $2500 which paid for ASP2011 TPD support & fence/barricades. Thank YOU for your attendance & support! We would like to continue the fun and celebration again this year.

A full line up of live music, DJs, entertainment, informative & interactive workshops, magicians, aerial stunts, artisan food-trucks, and vending by local crafters.

What: 2nd Annual MoctoberFest – April Fool’s Carnival – www.moctoberfest.com

When: March 30st

Time: 2pm to 2am

Where: Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento,1/4 mile West of I-10 on Congress

Cost: $5 for an all-day pass. Re-entry is permitted.

All ages, 21 & up w/ID, children 10 & under permitted until 10pm & free with paying adult

Featured Entertainment:

Flam Chen, the Missing Parts, Tucson Circus Arts instructor Katherine Celeste & Aerial Crew, aerial acts by Air Loom, Salvador Duran, Mamaxé, Planet Djembe, the Circus Electric -Tesla Coil stunts with Carl Nagual & Co., DJ Carl Hanni, magicians Kenny Stewart & Nate Anderson’s are the Brothers Macabre!, Richard Noel of Sticks n Fingers, dunking booth, a giant swing, Black Ginger, Tygel Pinto, the Bennu, DJ Joshua Pocolips, Orbital Evolution, Flight School, secret Burlesque Cabaret, STWTS DJ Matthew Cassidy, Open Fire Circle, and more TBA.

Afternoon Workshops With:

Flight School (Partner Yoga),Mamaxe (West Aftrican Dance), Saguaro Stompers (American clog dance), Orbital Evolution (hula hoops), Tucson Circus Arts (aerial silks and various circus arts demos), Fire Mecca & Morning Fyre -PHX (poi and glow/flow/fire-spinning arts), and more TBA.

OPEN FIRE JAM CIRCLE – AT YOUR OWN RISK

We would like to invite fire dancers/performers to bring their gear and sign up to show their moves, commune and share, with like minded people. We will provide fuel.

Continuing with the MMOS mission of creating festival culture Moctoberfest invites everyone down for a good time, to meet old & new friends, converge and share, collaborate and create, dance and play together in public space.

The people in Tucson come from the broadest range of interests, cultural experience, generations, yet we live, work and play together. MoctoberFest is another playground to let loose, make fun of ourselves, and transform our tolerance into acceptance and to learn to be accepted… to be ourselves… to each create our own “flag” and wave it! We have lined up some of the best local talent in Tucson for a full day of entertainment and interactivity!

We encourage locals to come dressed up…Dress your best, dress like a fool… show us how you do it when you do it when you don’t care who cares… We may even have a fashion show and ask you to be a part of it. We will have a ”beach-side” photo studio for your pleasure and archives.

We are calling out to Volunteers and helpers for the event. Earn a free pass to get in and get on the behind the scenes crew and help us create this event. OR if you have an act you would like to bring to the main stage or Cabaret.

WE ARE ALSO CALLING OUT DUNKEES… If you’re a Tucson Celebrity, your fans would LOVE to dunk you. Volunteer or nominate someone that you want to see dropped into a tub of water!

For more information, contact: Ruben Palma, email: moctoberfest@gmail.com

www.mercadosanagustin.com

www.manymouths.org

www.allsoulsprocession.org

www.flamchen.com

Agustin Brasserie interior, courtesy of the restaurant

I’ve heard from various FB (Facebook) friends about Agustin Brasserie, the newish French restaurant in the Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento, #150 (SW corner of W. Congress St., west of the I-10.)

Although they opened in March, 2012, it took me several months to finally stop by for lunch. It’s a very upscale restaurant, with white walls, white dishes, fresh flowers, and black/white photos on the walls.

Le Menu has French appetizers such as Escargot (with herb garlic butter, white wine, crostini), French onion soup, Vichyssoise (warm potato leek soup). There are several salad selections as well such as Endive Roquefort, Salade Agustin, and Market Salad.

Since it was a bit hot (even in November) I just opted out for the Crab Cakes, though the Soft-Shell Crab BLT sounded terrific.

The French baguette bread (from La Baguette Bakery) arrived via waiter Danny quickly, and it was very crunchy and fresh. Within a few minutes my lunch dish appeared with fresh mixed garden greens in a light lemon oil dressing, and two superb crab cakes. I appreciate good crab cakes as that is usually what I order in most seafood restaurants if it is available, and aside from the most delicious ones I’ve ever had in Hawaii, these two were wonderfully soft and tasy, with a delicious lemon horseradish aioli sauce.

The exciting lunch choices include a Duck Confit Sandwich, Seared Skuna Bay Salmon, Risotto, and many other interesting entrees. For their lunch menu (click here http://www.agustinbrasserie.com/lunchweb.pdf)

There’s also a dessert menu for you big eaters, and the Chocolate Mouse with a raspberry coulis sauce sounded enticing, as did their Vanilla Creme Brulee.

Nice touch: the bill comes with “Merci” (thanks) at the bottom, like in France.

Agustin Brasserie Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11 to 10 p.m., Saturday 5 to 10 p.m, Sunday 9 to 3 p.m. for brunch (separate menu with omelets, French crepes, & mimosas as well).

There is a full bar across from the dining table where you can sit on stools and eat as well. Plus there’s outdoor seating in the pleasant grassy courtyard of the Mercado. Phone: 520-398-5382, website, http://www.agustinbrasserie.com/

And I hear they’re having a special menu for New Year’s Eve.

Gather at 5:00pm on Nov. 4th
registration area on Toole Ave just West of Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.

Procession Begins 6pm
GRAND FINALE
Mercado San Agustín on West Congress (west of I-10), 100 S. Avenida del Convento

We will be initiating our new finale site on West Congress and with the help of Gadsden Company we will be investing in a new Festival Grounds that will be developed over the next few years-look for more details soon!
Flam Chen and a multitude of other performers TBA, The Community Spirit Group, and
with this years musical guests: SORIAH, Richard Noel from Sticks and Fingers and David Galleher, Danza Azteca Calpulli Tonantzin, Tucson Arts Brigade, Odaiko Sonora, Mourning Frye, de Dar a Luz, and more.

Map of new route is below (The change must be due to construction on 4th Avenue as the previous route used to start at Epic Cafe at University Blvd. and go through the 4th Avenue Underpass to downtown). The new route now starts near Hotel Congress:

This wildly popular procession is in its 23rd year and there must be 20,000 or more people now walking the route. For more information on other events leading up El Dia de Los Muertos and this All Souls Procession, go to their website: http://www.allsoulsprocession.org/

Hope you enjoyed Halloween last night, and it’s time to get ready for All Souls on Sunday. Raices Taller art gallery will be hosting a Dia de los Muertos community event on Friday November 2nd, from 6 to 8 p.m. It is their “annual homage to Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead with a cultural celebration in the tradition of the Hispanic Southwest. Community groups, guest artists and gallery members pay personal tribute to Dia de los Muertos with altars, ofrendas (offerings), paintings and sculpture. All events are free and open to the public, donations appreciated!”They are located at 218 E. 6th Street, 520-881-5335 or raicestaller222@aol.com.

I may be one of the few people in Tucson who has yet to eat at this new upscale French restaurant in the Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida Convento, SW corner of W. Congress St., west of the I-10. Dine there today from 11 a.m. & support the Fox Theatre’s 82nd birthday. And I heard also that Fox freebies will be given away.

Their website: http://www.agustinbrasserie.com/ (with menu & map)

The Fox’s website: www.foxtucsontheatre.org for upcoming shows, movies, special events at 17 W. Congress Street.
Coming up this weekend Saturday & Sunday May 19 & 20 at 2 p.m. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”.

As the Clone Wars sweep through the galaxy, the heroic Jedi Knights struggle to maintain order and restore peace. More and more systems are falling prey to the forces of the dark side as the Galactic Republic slips further and further under the sway of the Separatists and their never-ending droid army.

Saturday March 31, 12 noon to 12 a.m. April Fool’s Day
Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento, Tucson (1/2 mile west of I-10, SW corner of Congress St.)

This is supposedly an April Fool’s Carnival “with some of the best performers, artists & musicians in benefit of the All Souls Procession.” The schedule of performances is online at their website.

Workshops and Demonstrations

Flight School-balancing acrobatics, Tucson Circus Arts-Poi Club and Aerial demos, Orbital Evolution-Hooping,

Entertainment

Vox Urbana, Golden Boots, The Missing Parts, Salvador Duran, Marianne Dissard, 20,000 Strong Men, GSol , Trima Muzicante, Mamaxé & Planet Djembe, Professor Paul, Rudy Cortese’s “Living From the Heart”, Kate Fritz, Saturnalia with DJ Carl Hanni and sommelier & magician Kenny Stewart, This Group of People, Orbital Evolution & Elemental Artistry, Flight School, Wonderfools, Anarchestra, Brass Pandemonium, and FLAM CHEN and Friends will open the Sideshow of the 7 Deadly Sins in the evening.

Arts Vendors

Cutie Pie Accessories, Bonnie Behan Art, THE RED ANT, Fire Mecca, Quasimodos Sisters, Elksong Jewelry, Kim Kei, The Altergirl, Flower the Clown, Two Groovy Sisters LLC, Mole Dona Vicky, Wandering Star, Emily Ann Jones Photography, Artesenia Mexicana, and more TBA.

Food Vendors
Guerrero’s BBQ, Foodie Fleet, Animal Farm, Cyclopsicle, Isabella’s Ice Cream, Ceviche, Agustin Brasserie, Breezeway Bar, Taqueria el Pueblito, la Estrella Bakery, San Agustin Trading Co, Taxco Silvera, Sonoran Sno Cones, Dolce Pastello, la Cabana, Margy’s Jams, the Mesquitery, Many y Matate, Chilttepica Salsas

Beer

Nimbus Brewery, Queen Sol from Flagstaff (waiting on confirmation) and “home brew” enthusiasts will be doing tasting & workshops on “How To”. Commercial brewers will be on site to do tastings as well-

Beer/wine
Music
Demonstrations/workshops
Mustache-Competition
3 Stages
Sideshow-arena
DJs
Art-sale
Whiskey-Breath Burkesque’s Booty-Tsunami & Gender “Blurd” Fashion show (?)
Dance classes

$20 all ages, kids 12 & under free
$14 presale tickets available 24 hours at Shot in the Dark Cafe, 121 E. Broadway (or online at the website).

Potential guest: Camilo Lauro of the Mexican Institute of Sound

Website www.moctoberfest.com Email contact is moctoberfestival@gmail.com, phone 520-461-1110 x 8 or 520-203-1093.

Sounds like a lot of revelry planned for the onset of April Fool’s Day, 2012.

Sunday February 12, 2012 – 9:00 am
Mercado San Agustin (100 South Avenida del Convento, Tucson, AZ 85754) The rides start & finish there.

From website: www.tourdecookie.com. It’s in the 4th year, so I must have missed the other three. Register online now for either 13 or 30 mile rides.

Welcome to the 4th Annual Tour de Cookie! Participants will race/ride between 10 cookie-stands (hosted by local clubs and organizations) and purchase/eat as many pastries as possible. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide and pay for the Tucson Kids’ Try-athlon, a free triathlon designed for children with special needs and/or disabilities.

Participants will receive a collectible long sleeve t-shirt and a custom medal. Awards to the top 3 finishers (male and female), best cookie-stand and most money-raiser. You’ll have to visit every cookie-stand to be eligible for awards.

Congratulations to all cyclists and the dozens of cookie stand volunteers! The 2011 Tour de Cookie was a huge success and we really appreciate your help and support.

2011 Winners: 1st Place: Betsy Woodhouse and Phil Roper (also winner of the 2010 ride); 2nd Place: Dori Fisher and John Peterson; 3rd Place: Kim Sooter and Howard Grahn; Last Bite Award: John Henneberger Jr; Best Cookie Stand: Tucson Roller Derby (winner of the 2010 ride).

Sounds like great exercise and I hope those are healthy cookies at the 10 stands.

An Early ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Please Join Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace

at a fiesta to celebrate the planting of

MISSION GARDEN

Wednesday, December 29th

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

at the beautiful, new Mercado San Agustín

100 South Avenida del Convento

(Corner of Congress Street, 3 blocks west of I-10)

Tucson, AZ 85745

Botanas Mexicanas, Margaritas, Champurro, Horchata

Traditional Music, Silent Auction of Rare Tequilas and Mexican Tequila Crafts & more

$15 donation with a reservation

$20 at the door

Reservations at GAlvill1@mac.com or (520) 400-5437

http://www.tucsonsbirthplace.org/

(Dress warmly and drink responsibly!)

About the Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace:

We are a group of Tucson residents committed to re-create and authentically present the historic structures and landscapes to the regional community and visitors in the area known as Tucson’s Birthplace. To that end we have formed an organization to insure the completion of the Tucson Origins Heritage Park.

Our mission is to preserve, honor, protect, restore and promote the cultural heritage of Tucson’s Birthplace at the foot of Sentinel Peak (‘A’ Mountain).

To accomplish this our organization partners with like minded groups locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in order to inform Tucsonans and visitors of this rich, unique cultural treasure.

Our first focus is to complete the Mission Garden, a project begun under voter approved public funds and to be completed in a public private partnership with Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace.

Our goals include not just the construction and planting of the garden, but also its successful operation and maintenance. This will be accomplished through the enlisting and training of volunteers and funded through donations and grants.

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010
4:30—8 p.m.
Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento
(West of I-10 on W. Congress St, across from the El Rio Health Center)
Free and open to the public. Live Rondalla Music! Event is outside, please dress warmly.

Note the tamale contest categories: corn, meat or unique. Be creative!

For more information or to enter this contest contact Councilmember Regina Romero, at her Ward 1 Council office at Ward1@tucsonaz.gov or (520)791-4040.

Councilmember Romero is in her first term and was elected in November, 2007 by defeating her General Election opponent Green Party challenger Beryl Baker.