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What’s New in Tucson
July-August 2007
The Best Little Rodeo in Arizona—The Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo has been a tradition in Southern Arizona since 1915. On September 1-3, the rodeo celebrates its 92nd anniversary, with and old-fashioned contest of the cowboys. The action includes everything from a wild horse race, bareback bronc riding, team penning and steer wrestling to mutton bustin’ for peewee cowpokes. The fun begins at 1 p.m. with a kids’ rodeo (Saturday–Sunday) immediately followed by adult contests (Saturday–Sunday, and Monday at 1 p.m.). A steak fry and rodeo dance, with live music from Crossroads, follows the weekend rodeos. The Sonoita Fairgrounds is 40 miles southeast of Tucson in the rolling grasslands of Santa Cruz County. For details, call (520) 455-5553, or visit www.sonoitafairgrounds.com.
The Tiara Returns to Tucson—The Mrs. America production returns to Tucson for the second year in August. Broadcast on Women’s Entertainment network throughout the fall, the event celebrates the beauty and talent of America’s married women. Tucson’s natural beauty and attractions will be highlighted as the contestants’ experiences are filmed “reality style” for two weeks for inclusion in the final piece. The stage event will be taped live at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Wednesday, Sept. 5. Last year, Tucsonan Diana Tucker won the title and went on to take the Mrs. World title in a competition in Russia. More information on the event and contestants can be found at www.MrsAmerica.com. There are opportunities for the media to capture “a day in the life” of contestants and crew. Contact Kimberly Schmitz at kschmitz@visitTucson.org for more information.
Gems & Minerals add Color to Fall Season—Tucson’s Fall Gem Shows are around the corner, and the winter shows are not far behind. On September 6-9 the public can shop for glass, porcelain, and silver beads at the Best Bead Show at the Tucson Convention Center; shoppers will find designer jewelry, gemstones, and beads at the Beaudry Gem and Mineral Show at Gem Central (Irvington and Country Club Roads). Anyone needing a room in Tucson, February 1-17 would be wise to make reservations now. That’s when the world’s largest gem show, the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase returns, bringing with it 5,079 exhibitors and 55,000 attendees. The event’s centerpiece, the 53rd Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Society Show at Tucson Convention Center is February 14-17, with exhibits featuring “Minerals of USA.” Details on all shows are available online at www.visitTucson.org/gemshow and at (800) 638-8350.
Celebrity Mixologist at Tucson Culinary Festival—Connoisseur cocktail bars are a growing trend as consumers are drinking less, but much better, spirits and cocktails. Elevating the happy-hour experience is the business of Tony Abu-Ganim, celebrity bar-chef and star of the Modern Mixology DVD. Abu-Ganim will teach a one-hour class at the Tucson Culinary Festival, October 4-7, at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. He’ll offer recipes, demonstrations of drink-mixing techniques, and tips on stocking a home bar. The four-day festival is sponsored by the Tucson Originals, a group of Tucson-area independent restaurants. Individual ticket prices range from $20 for some seminars to $145 for the main event. For more information, call (520) 488-860, or go to www.tucsonculinaryfestival.com.
Best of the Barrio Culinary Tour—Sample the cuisine of South Tucson’s historic Barrio neighborhood via an air-conditioned Gray Line bus. This four-hour “Best of the Barrio” gastronomic tour includes stops at five of Tucson’s finest family-owned, off-the-beaten-path eateries. Sightseers will find handmade pastries and tortillas at La Estrella Bakery, traditional Sonoran-style Mexican entrees at Micha’s, ceviche and fish tacos at Rodriguez Fish Company, Sonoran hot dogs and carne-asada burritos at El Guero Canelo, and, finally, “raspados” (shaved ice, ice cream, fresh fruit) at Oasis Fruit Cones. Cost is $59 per adult for tour and food. To reserve a space, call Gray Line, (520) 622-8811, or visit www.graylinearizona.com and go to Sightseeing Tours.
New Hanger for Vintage Planes—Pima Air & Space Museum has tripled its exhibit space with the addition of its 42,000-square-foot “Spirit of Freedom” hanger. The new hanger houses 10 rare aircraft (more will be added later) as well as the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame and an expanded gift shop. Displayed are the world’s only remaining Martin PBM-5A, a World War II Navy bomber; an F-107 Ultra Sabre, a 1950s Air Force fighter-bomber that is one of only two remaining in the world; and the impressive Lockheed SR-71, a Cold War spy plane known as the Blackbird, which is one of about 12 on display around the country. The museum’s renowned collection of more than 250 aircraft and spacecraft is preserved in Tucson’s dry desert air on 80 acres at 6000 E. Valencia Road. For more information, call the museum at (520) 574-0462, or visit www.pimaair.org.
Snob Hollow Home Turns 100—One of Tucson’s first exclusive homes is turning 100 this summer. The J. Knox Corbett House museum represents an upper-class residence in Tucson’s “Snob Hollow” neighborhood of the early 1900s. Inside the 4,400-square-foot, two-story restored bungalow are decorative objects from the American Arts and Crafts era, such as Tiffany lamps and handcrafted woodwork; the basement once held an early water-cooled air conditioner. The exterior—white stucco walls, clay-tiled roof, curved gables, and wide covered-porch—contrasts with neighboring adobe row houses. The home was built for a pioneering Tucson family whose members included the late Tucson Mayor Jim Corbett and Arizona Sen. Hiram Corbett (namesake of Hi Corbett Field); it is one of five homes on the Tucson Museum of Art Historic Block. For tour information, contact the Tucson Museum of Art at (520) 624-2333, or www.TucsonMuseumofArt.org.
Backstage with Arizona Theater Company—The elegant Temple of Music and Art has been the Tucson home of Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) since the historic building’s 1990 restoration. Backstage tours of the 623-seat concert hall are offered Saturdays during the ATC season, September through April. The 2007-08 ATC season kicks off September 12 with a musical bio-play (George Gershwin Alone) and continues with a classic American musical (The Pajama Game), a Victorian murder mystery (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), a beloved coming-of-age drama (To Kill a Mockingbird), and an off-Broadway comic hit (The Clean House). More information on both the shows and the tours is available from ATC at (520) 884-8210, or www.arizonatheatre.org.
Wish You Were Here—Send a free Tucson e-postcard from the Image Gallery at the website of the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.visitTucson.org/phototour). Choose from dozens of beautiful scenes featuring authentic Tucson things to do and see, such as Mission San Xavier del Bac, Kartchner Caverns State Park, the World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play Championship, El Tour cycling event, or the Tucson Rodeo.
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