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What's New in Tucson
April 2008
Tucson Kitchen Musicians Play On: In early May, the Tucson Kitchen Musicians will present the 23rd annual Tucson Folk Festival in downtown Tucson. More than 100 local, regional, and national acts will perform on five stages at this family-friendly outdoor festival, May 3-4. The live music program will include folk, folk-rock, blues, bluegrass, gospel, world, Celtic, and Cajun rhythms. Headliners include Marley's Ghost, Ruthie Foster, and Billy Jonas. The children's show, May 4 at 1 p.m., will feature ear tickling, child-oriented music; crazy, silly songs; zany skits; and energetic sing-alongs, bang-alongs, and whisper-alongs. A smorgasbord of food and crafts booths will offer dining and shopping opportunities. Free admission.
University of Arizona Goes to Mars: On Memorial Day weekend, after a nine-month voyage from Earth, the NASA Phoenix Mars Lander is scheduled to touch down on the Red Planet. After the May 25 landing, NASA will turn over mission control to their partners in Tucson at the University of Arizona-the first university to lead a mission to Mars. Visitors to the UA campus can view displays of the powerful HiRISE camera (the UA telescopic camera that is taking pictures of Mars from the spacecraft and that will guide the robotic probe on the Martian surface) as well as a full-scale mock Phoenix Mars Lander, complete with working engineering models of science instruments. These and other displays are housed at the Sonett Visitor Center, on campus just west of Flandrau: The UA Science Center, which is featuring the planetarium show, "MarsQuest." For details on the UA Mars mission, contact the UA Office of University Communications, (520) 621-1877.
A Delicious Fundraiser: Every summer, some of Tucson's finest chefs lend their time and talent to Primavera Cooks!, a fun culinary event that benefits those who normally don't patronize restaurants. Primavera Cooks! is a series of 10 dinners hosted by the Primavera Foundation, an organization providing assistance to homeless Tucsonans, and presented at participating Tucson Originals independent restaurants. Attendees pay for the opportunity to be "apprentice chefs" who team up with professional restaurant staff to create and present a menu with paired wines. Diners can enjoy the delicious results and support a good cause by eating out at a participating restaurant, May 21 through September 17. For a complete list of restaurants and event details, visit www.primaveracooks.org.
Celebrate National Trails Day: The first Saturday every June is designated National Trails Day in the United States. On that day every year more than a million hikers, bikers, equestrians, and others take part in thousands of events nationwide in celebration of America's trails. In the Tucson and Southern Arizona area, there are hundreds of miles of world-class trails covering diverse terrain that ranges from desert hills and riparian woodlands to conifer-covered mountains. During the summer, early morning and after-dark hikes are offered at various state and local parks. To celebrate National Trails Day on Sunday, June 1, Oracle State Park (northwest of Tucson) will host a free three-hour, ranger-guided hike with eco-friendly llamas. To reserve a place on this hike, contact the park at (520) 896-2425. For more information about area trails, visit Outdoor Adventure section of the MTCVB website.
Gay West Rides Again: Every June, the world's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) communities gather to celebrate Pride Month. In Tucson, one celebration will reflect the city's western heritage. "Gay West" will take place the evening of Saturday, June 21 at Old Tucson Studios, a one-of-a-kind movie location and western theme park. Headlining the event will be Grammy award-winning disco diva, Thelma Houston. Other festivities will include rip roarin' musical revues featuring showgirls and drag queens, action-packed cowboy stunt shows, and kiddie attractions throughout the park, such as train and pony rides. Gay West is a benefit fundraiser for Wingspan, Tucson's LGBT community center. Tickets and information are available online at www.OldTucsonStudios.com and www.Wingspan.org.
Tucson Ranch Resort on National List: The old world charm, arresting views, superb service, and historic ambience at Tucson's Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort have won national recognition by Zagat Survey and others. Most recently, the resort has been named to National Geographic Traveler magazine's new "Stay List," which celebrates 150 hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean region that are among the best at blending location-inspired architecture, ambience and amenities, eco-stewardship, and an ethic of giving back to the community. The first annual "Stay List" debuts in the magazine's April 2008 issue.
New Chill & Grill Station at Ballpark: The Tucson Sidewinders play home games, April through August, in the evenings at Tucson Electric Park in the Kino Sports Complex. The park now can accommodate group, social events and corporate outings at its new "Chill & Grill" station. Located in a covered area on the right-field concourse, the station has room for up to 100 guests; it offers all-you-can-eat ballpark buffet for $20 per person and the luxury of table seating throughout the game. Beer, wine, and cocktails are available for purchase from a private bar. The Tucson Sidewinders (2006 Triple-A champions) are Tucson's Minor League Baseball team and Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The name "Sidewinders" refers to both a snake indigenous to Arizona and pitchers with a particular style of throwing. For more information: (520) 325-6026.
Aeromexico Expands Tucson Service: Aeromexico Connect is expanding to seven days a week its nonstop air service between Tucson and Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora, Mexico. Aeromexico, the only airline to offer nonstop service between the two cities, has been operating at Tucson International Airport since 1993. The airline flies one daily round-trip flight between the cities, five days a week, using a 33-seat airbus. For more information, log on to www.AirTucson.com.
US Airways Adds Nonstop Tucson Flight: Beginning June 3, US Airways will start nonstop service to Tucson from its Charlotte hub. Timed to coincide with the busy summer vacation season, this flight will give travelers from Tucson convenient access to one of the airlines' biggest hubs, opening up hundreds of connecting opportunities internationally and across the eastern half of the United States. For more information, go to www.AirTucson.com.
Attractions Passport has Summer Fun: Travel the region with your 2007-08 Tucson Attractions Passport. This exclusive pocket-sized savings guide includes discounts at some Tucson and Southern Arizona's "must see" attractions and more, for single and paired travelers. Enjoy money-saving 2-for-1 offers plus other great values all summer long. Offers are good through September 15, 2008. Purchase one for $15 at the Tucson Visitor Center, located in La Placita Village, 100 S. Church Ave., Tucson, online at www.tucsonattractions.com, or by phone at 1-800-638-8350.
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