The weather is warming up and Valentine’s Day is coming.

So is 2nd Saturday Downtown, Tucson’s popular urban street fest in downtown, www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com. We usually check out the monthly art receptions, musical shows on the Scott Avenue Stage, Fox Theater, the food & craft booths, etc.

Artist Yoshi Nakano will be having a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 9th, for his one man “Brush Spirit” show, which opened at The Drawing Studio, 33 S. 6th Ave. on Feb. 2nd. He uses five elements: brush, sumi ink, washi (Japanese paper), pigment, and beeswax. The show runs through Feb. 24. We viewed his art on Feb. 2nd and it is very beautiful and elegant, especially one particular piece entitled “Into the Storm”.

“Into the Storm” by Yoshi Nakano, courtesy of the artist

Says Nakano, “My artwork is inspired by the wabi sabi spirits of nature and seasonal change. Through the daily practice of meditation, qi gong, and yoga, my awareness of how I communicate is transformed. This spirit comes through brush, ink, wax, pigment and water onto paper. Each brush stroke is filled with breath and spirit. The brush is synchronized to my breath. I follow the brush to meet my true self. In this moment, I am in a holistic state of being art.”

Yoshi Nakano’s artwork

Last Saturday he was also teaching Japanese calligraphy during his opening reception.

Artist Yoshi Nakano teaching calligraphy to young Sophia Venning, photo courtesy of mother Kresta Venning

Stop by the Drawing Studio on Saturday to see Yoshi’s art. And as for the other fun activities on February 9th, click here.

Most of you know that I try to report on every 2nd Saturday Downtown event, as I am committed to encouraging people to enjoy the events downtown. I used to work downtown for various jobs, and still hear cases at our courtroom at La Placita Village.

So once again this is just my reminder about the huge urban street festival on Saturday August 11. View the website here for lots of fun events as usual, plus an art reception at The Drawing Studio, 33 S. 6th Avenue, from 4 to 7 p.m.. I went to the July 28 opening of their current exhibit “The Art of Summer” of creative youth art (ages 9 to 18) from their summer classes. The show continues to August 25. I’ve also enjoyed several art classes from Drawing Studio instructors over the years.

And if this youth art show isn’t uplifting enough, catch a free showing of “Up” at Cinema La Placita’s temporary venue at Jackson Street (parking lot, one block south of Broadway Boulevard & between Scott & Stone Avenues). Synopsis of their film from their website :

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 “UP” (2009) PG 7:30 p.m.
Starring Ed Asner

By tying thousands of balloons to his home, 78-year-old Carl sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years younger, inadvertently becomes a stowaway

And if you’ve never been to this over 2 year old festival (started in May 2010), then treat yourself to an urban delight night.

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