News Releases

What's New in Tucson
March 2009

Clean Air Days & Bike Fest 2009. April is a good month to dust off the bike, lace up the tennies, check the new bus schedule, or arrange a carpool in Tucson. During Tucson's Clean Air Days & Bike Fest, April 1-30, citizens of all ages are invited to "rethink their drive" and participate in activities, including bike-in movies, a bike swap meet, a downtown bike tour, a birding and biking trip, and more. Bike 2 Work Week, April 13-17, will offer free breakfast stations, free bike tune-ups, raffles, giveaways, and camaraderie at locations citywide. Secured valet bicycle parking will be offered at many of the venues. Whether you ride everyday, the weekends, or always wanted to try, Bike Fest has an event for you. Check it out at http://www.cleanair.pima.gov/

Grammy Award-winning Mariachis. Native Tucsonan and American music legend, Linda Ronstadt is back as special guest star of the La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference's Espectacular Concert, Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at the Tucson Convention Center Arena. The award-winning singer is known for adding Mexican folklorico dancing to her mariachi stage shows. She will be joined by the immensely popular Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, credited with taking the mariachi genre from the streets of Mexico to some of the world's most prestigious concert halls.  Los Camperos and Ronstadt have collaborated on three mariachi albums, including Amor, Dolor y Lagrimas: Musica Ranchera (Love, Pain and Tears: Country Music), which won the 2009 Grammy award for Regional Mexican Album. Tickets are $48, $68 and $88. For more information, visit http://www.tucsonmariachi.org/.

Free Folk Music Festival. The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association celebrates the traditions of American folk music at downtown's El Presidio Park during the Tucson Folk Festival, May 2-3. Here, musicians and songwriters from all over the Southwest convene to perform folk, bluegrass, gospel and blues and to teach music workshops. Food and craft stands are everywhere, as are children's programs. Everyone with a musical ear is invited to join the jam session on Saturday night. This year's headliners are Grammy award-winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer performing their superb harmonies accompanied by a variety of acoustic strings and percussion. Admission is free. For details, visit http://www.tkma.org/.

Downtown Tucson Goes Hog Wild for Harleys. The long and winding roads of Tucson and Southern Arizona will provide adventurous riding for Arizona's Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders when they meet in Tucson for the state's H.O.G. Rally, April 30-May 2. This annual event for H.O.G. members includes events such as bike games at the Tucson Convention Center Arena, seminars and group rides. The public can catch the excitement by watching dozens of the gleaming machines rumble along downtown streets as part of the bike parade or by enjoying the vendors, live music and great food at parties staged inside and outside downtown clubs and restaurants. Spectators may even glimpse Tucson's Mayor Bob Walkup, who is a "biker" at heart, riding through town. View the schedule at http://www.azstatehogrally.com/.

After the Sun Goes Down. Looking for something to do in Tucson after the sun goes down? Visit the Tucson Nightlife page at visitTucson.org and discover where to find the best wine bars, live jazz, mariachi bands, salsa dancing, and honky-tonk fun. Tucson has the perfect nightspot, if you know where to look. For details, go to www.visittucson.org/visitor/culinary/nightlife.

Experience Oprah's Favorite Spa: Immerse yourself in ‘mindfulness' practices that are the heartbeat of the Miraval Resort experience during a powerful four-day program at the world-famous luxury retreat, north of Tucson, on April 5-8 and/or October 18-21. Participants will learn to practice mindfulness by linking mind, body and heart to generate new insights into old patterns to create more focus, ease and intention. The workshop includes all workshop events, luxury accommodations at Miraval, three gourmet meals daily, non-alcoholic beverages, unlimited access to all scheduled programs and activities, three $125 spa services per person and a welcome tote bag with water bottle. Cost is  $2,852.74 (single) and $2,482.93 (double). For more information, call 1-800-232-3969 or click on Special Events at http://www.miravalresorts.com/.

Downtown's Newest Eateries. Tucked between high rises, Centro Lounge has opened within the busy downtown lunch spot, Chile Verde. Centro Lounge serves Mexican-style tapas and creative cocktails, with DJ music, from an open-air bar on its cozy brick patio from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. Burger City, a new lunch-and-dinner joint featuring mouthwatering burgers with tempting toppings, donates its proceeds to downtown arts and revitalization projects. The restaurant is open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights to accommodate clubbers. Tooley's On Congress is the second location of a charming little eatery specializing in organic coffees and teas, yummy pastries daily, bread varieties, and delicious soups and salads. Located across from the Hotel Congress and two steps from the Rialto Theatre, the small coffeehouse is open early to late. Learn more at these websites: http://www.chileverde.com/, http://www.burgercity.com/, http://www.tooleyscafe.com/.

Tucson Tennis Resort is Tops. Many fine hotels have tennis courts, but how many meet the standards of serious players? At least 50 tennis resorts offer the best combination of amenities, according to Tennis Magazine, which has covered the world of tennis since 1965. Tennis Magazine ranked tennis facilities on criteria including the number of courts and the quality of instruction, clinics, and game matching. Among those offering an all-around tennis vacation is The Lodge at Ventana Canyon in Tucson. With the beautiful Santa Catalina Mountains as a backdrop, The Lodge at Ventana Canyon offers all the elements for a memorable tennis experience, including 12 hard, lighted tennis courts; a full-service pro shop; a ball machine; Peter Burwash International tennis professionals; and a welcoming staff. For more information, visit http://www.thelodgeatventanacanyon.com/

Save Money Shopping at La Encantada. The 2009 La Encantada Shopping and Dining Visitor Rewards card will be available April 1, 2009 for use through March 31, 2010. This card features retailers and restaurants offering store specials and coupons, and highlights which stores are offering customer services, such as personal shoppers, complimentary amenities and other customized services. To receive the card, visitors can stop by the La Encantada Concierge, located in the lower level near the center courtyard, between J. Jill and Coldwater Creek, and present any of the following: AAA "Show Your Card & Save" card, an out-of-town driver's license, Tucson Attractions Passport, La Encantada advertisement in a publication, or Westcor.com website voucher. La Encantada is an upscale shopping center in the Santa Catalina foothills north of downtown. For more information, call (520) 299-3556 or visit http://www.laencantadashoppingcenter.com/.

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