Photos of second “2nd Saturdays Downtown” fest

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

Go downtown for second “2nd Saturdays Downtown”

logo

It’s that time of month again, time for the second 2nd Saturdays Downtown “Urban Street Fest” on June 12.

Last month the inaugural event attracted about ten thousand partiers to “eat, drink, be merry” & explore, listen to varieties of music, watch performers & circus acts, purchase goodies and clothes, etc. etc. on E. Congress Street between the infamous Hotel Congress and Church Avenue. Last month there was even a guy giving out “free advice for 5 cents.”

Here’s a photo gallery (click here) of the some of the happenings on May 8, but the upcoming schedule for Saturday June 12 sounds fantastic as well.

Time: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Be there.

The outdoor stage will again be located on Scott Avenue at Broadway and will feature local bands.

* 6:30 p.m. – Drama Club, a 60’s soul and funk band
* 7:45 p.m. – Leila Lopez, a folk/fusion guitarist and vocalist and
* 9:15 p.m. – The Sand Rubies, a Tucson Weekly Hall of Fame band known for straight on rock and roll.

The Fox Theatre (17 W. Congress) will again be offering FREE admission and will feature Creedence Again, the country’s premier Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band from Chicago. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the first set at 7:00 p.m.

Human statues at Chicago Store on May 8, courtesy of Donovan Durband

Street musicians from a cappella performers, a pipe and drum corps, country artists to jazz musicians will line Congress and Sixth Avenue along with food vendors and local craftsmen.

See photo on left of human statues on E. Congress St. at the 1st “2nd Saturdays Downtown” on May 8th.

There’s no better reason to go downtown. For more info, log onto www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com.

Update: photos of this second fest click here.