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

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).