What a great urban street fest it was last night on E. Congress Street, marking the second “2nd Saturdays Downtown” monthly event. If you missed it, mark your calendars now for July 10 and August 14 for the next ones.
Seven Pipers Pipe Band performing
I especially enjoyed the Seven Pipers Pipe Band (men/women in Scottish kilts playing bagpipes) marching along E. Congress, and the FREE concert by the Creedence Again tribute band at the Fox Tucson Theatre (they rocked playing Creedence Clearwater Revival songs). The eager line of fans waiting for the first concert stretched around the block onto Stone Avenue.
line outside Fox Theater for Creedence Again concert
Les Avenge break dancer
An entertaining male acrobatic/break dancing group called Les Avenge, performed across the street from the Fox. Lots and lots of vendors were there selling jewelry, note cards, solar flashlights, leather belts, cloth bags, tshirts, bath products, tin can lanterns, puppets, hair clips, bead necklaces, bubble wands, folk art, wooden boxes, pottery, even metal furniture.
jewelry artisan
metal tin can lantern artisan
Some folks were offering face painting, henna body art, tarot card readings, and Flandrau scientists were there as well offering telescope views of Mars and Saturn. Gypsy Sojourners living statues were again ever present. The guy offering “free advice for 5 cents” (at the inaugural May 8th event) was notably
absent.
more human statues
Food options were numerous (dine in at downtown restaurants or at food booths), and the 1961 movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was showing by Cinema La Placita on the big screen at the big empty lot (sans metal fence) on Congress Street. The Scott Avenue stage again offered terrific music– by the lively Drama Club, followed by popular local singer Leila Lopez, and lastly the Sand Rubies. Something for everyone!
Leila Lopez performing at Scott Ave. stage
Photos are all courtesy of Steering Committee member Donovan Dean Durband, Ward 6 Council aide. And thanks to all the rest of the hardworking folks on that 2nd Saturdays Downtown steering committee (listed on their website) and all the generous sponsors, for making this “Downtown Happening” really happen (twice now).
Screening Room marquee
good night from the human statues
carolynclassen 
I didn’t know Tucson had a 2nd Saturdays event! What time does it start & is it just on Congress?
This event just started up on May 8, and usually starts about 5:30/6 p.m. mostly on E. Congress Street between the Hotel Congress/Rialto Theater and the Fox Theater, but is spilling over onto 6th Avenue and Scott Avenue as well. See the photo gallery of the first fest:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2010/05/09/photo-gallery-of-first-2nd-saturdays-downtown/
I was there and I saw Carolyn enjoying a rhubarb pie from a street vendor.
It was the best of times last night. The crowds kept growing and the crowd was comprised of all ages.
I loved Creedence Again. What talent.
On the east side of the Rialto building, someone was painting a mural. I missed the first one but won’t be missing any more.
Yes, my weakness is strawberry/rhubard pie and one of the vendors (Big Skye Development) is selling these mini pies at this event regularly. Glad you & your friends enjoyed the concert at the Fox Theater, and all the other activities.
Saturday was my last night working the Trolley and I boogied downtown to meet friends right after my shift ended at 9m. I walked through the underpass to the Hotel Congress and never saw so many people downtown. It felt like San Francisco! What a stimulating environment and the music was buffed! And to think the previous Director of the Partnership canned Downtown Saturday Nights. Kudos to the sponsors and organizers. Classy event.
Hi Mike, glad you got down there from 4th Avenue, since you missed the inaugural event on May 8th. Yes, it was another amazing night in downtown. Never could figure out why Downtown Saturday Night was discontinued years ago, as it was equally popular and Congress Street was full of businesses back then.