Photos of another great 2nd Saturdays Downtown fest on 9/11

September 11 marked the fifth 2nd Saturdays Downtown on and around E. Congress Street, filled with revelers, street musicians, more and more art & craft vendors, delicious food, and shows at all three theaters– the Rialto, the Screening Room and the Fox. We caught a bit of flamenco at the Screening Room, then listened to a lively free concert by Anna Warr & Giant Blue Band (six musicians with trumpets and saxophones, guitar, keyboards, drums).

Photos below all courtesy of Ward 6 Council aide Donovan Durband.

7 Pipers bagpiping down Congress Street

Here’s a photo of one of the acrobatic performers with “The Fying Tortillas” aka Les Avenge at the Ronstadt Transit Center.

Lot of delicious food vendors selling a variety of cuisine are available each month.

Laos Student Club food vendor

These four human statues called the “7 Blahs” (Parasol Project) would stand perfectly still until someone gave them money, then they would shout out “blah, blah, blah” and dance. Very amusing for the kids.

Screening Room marquee (flamenco dancers inside)

The Missing Parts street musicians

Fox Theater crowd down the street

Anna Warr & Giant Blue Band performed inside the Fox Theater

large crowd in the Empty Lot on Congress

puppet vendor on Scott Avenue

Good night from three of the “7 Blahs”.

Next 2nd Saturdays Downtown slated for October 9.

Be there.

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