From 7:45 to 8 p.m. on Saturday May 11, Belly Dance Tucson will be performing on the Scott Avenue Stage (between Congress and Broadway, for the monthly urban street fest known as 2nd Saturday Downtown. More events/happenings at www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

Belly Dance Tucson offers Tucson’s best belly dance classes for dancers of all levels, student recitals, professional dance troupe performances, and community events. We are Tucson’s premier full time Belly Dance Studio. Come take a class with us or hire a belly dancer to perform at your next party or special event!

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Photo above courtesy of Belly Dance Tucson, L to R: Jessica Walker, Lindsey McFall, Heidi Sellers.

And 2nd Saturday Downtown is celebrating their 3rd year anniversary. It’s been three years of a lot of fun and frolic downtown, so don’t miss this Saturday’s fest.

To top that off, there’s going to be classic rock concert by Five Way Street on the Top Of Pennington (T.O.P.) garage at 110 E. Pennington Street (between Scott and 6th Avenue) from 7 to 9 p.m. I’ve never been up there for a concert, so this event sounds promising and new, with great views of the city.

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.

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.