from Kevin Pawlak--
Sorry this has taken so long and I’m hoping this info could somehow be of use to at least one of you?
I’m a wee bit of the off-beaten-track kind of guy and please keep that in mind when re-viewing these selections. If you want something that captures the heart of Tucson, one of my favorite U.S. cities, than consider some of the following. Go wild with it and try to make more than a day and/or night while you are down in Tucson, for this trip or another in the future.
First and foremost, the show is at Plush. A funky, flocked wallpaper joint that has a very hip, thrift store vibe to the place, which all fits nicely being on 4th avenue: a shopping district located less than a mile from the University of Arizona main campus. .
Mainly the Avenue is comprised of bars, ma and pa restaurants, indie Coffee houses and way to funky little Shops. You will not find McDonald’s or Starbucks on 4th avenue. No chain stores, this is indie and old school. The way all college towns used to be, before big brother got his filthy paws in on the action. Highlights on 4th Avenue are as follows:
Epic Café - Best selection of coffee drinks and munchies on the strip.
Caruso's - Classic American, family style Italian restaurant. Flashbacks to my days in Boston.
Maya Quetzal - low-key Guatemalan joint features cuisine with very low fanfare, but occasionally might surprise you. A plus it has going for it is it’s comparison factor: how many Guatemalan restaurants have you eaten at in your life?
Antigone Bookstore - a Tucson institution, Feminist, mainly woman’s library, but a great way to discover the more intuitive and sensitive side of ourselves. Very liberal environment and not unfriendly towards straight white guys.
Borderlands Outlet Store - 309 E. 7th Street , Just one block west of 4th Avenue on 7th Street. The closest you’ll get to a Mexican Mercado North of the border. Some great deals on Mexican and Day of The Dead Folk Art. This is an outlet store of their online catalog business:
Native Seeds (S.E.A.R.C.H.) - an heirloom seed shop and non profit organization striving to keep the Sonoran Desert and it’s dwellers sustainable with native plants, farming and research. Plus, a way cool gift shop selling indigenous folk art, goods and wears from the Sonoran Desert, both in the US and Mexico.
Sacred Desert Huichol Shop - The best selection and prices on Yarn and Beaded Huichol Art in the U.S. located behind Delectables Restaurant.520-624-4973
Things to do off of 4th Avenue:
The Arizona State Museum is located on campus an Anthropology museum that is free to the public and always has a great exhibition going on. Not far from 4th Avenue and if you take University East from 4th Ave it dead ends right in front of the campus gate when the Museum is located. Last year I saw an excellent Mexican Folk Art Mask show there and I believe there’s a large gem show happening right now. If you can handle a long stroll than walk, it’s less than a mile from Plush. The campus also houses a damn fine Art Museum and Center For Creative Photography, one of the world’s largest collection of Photographs, both historic and artistic. A MUST for any photographer!
A few more miles up Broadway between the 2000 and 3000 block you’ll find a plethora of great unique shops full of Folk Art, Local Art, Antiques and one-of a kind gifts like nowhere else on the globe. Among them are; the Picante and Bohemia stores, my personal faves.
Congress Street:
4th Ave heading South merges into historic downtown Tucson and Congress Street home of the Word Famous The Hotel Congress, Fox Theatre and the Rialto Theatre as well the Chicago Music Store, a great musical instrument, repair and sheet music shop, unlike almost anything you’ve seen in the States. Legendary, would be an understatement. Remember when Jodie Foster stole those guitar strings in Alice Doesn’t live Here Anymore? Yup, this is the place. If Tift is looking to ditch the band, she should take them here.
Looking for eats off the 4th Ave. strip?, then try:
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol - 5601 N. Hacienda del Sol Road, When money is no option and you want the city views. Upscale dinning in the foothills of the majestic Catalina Mountains? Must call ahead for reservations, (like now!). It’s a drive back to 4th Avenue, so give yourself enough time to head back for the show.
Casa Vicente - 375 S. Stone Ave, A great Spanish Tapas hideaway. If you want intimate, that won’t break set the wallet on fire. Saturday night will feature live music and dancers.
Café Poca Cosa -110 E. Pennington St., By far the best Mexican restaurant in town. If you want more gringo style, then head over to:
El Charo, various locations throughout Tucson, though the 311 N. Court Ave. joint is in the Old Pueblo part of town, with many historical homes near by. Great after diner stroll can be had before the show and not far of a drive back to 4th Avenue. Apparently the Chimichanga was invented here!
I hope this might lead some of you into a different direction than you would normally take and I hope it peaks your interest to spend more than a couple of hours in the Old Pueblo.. My partner and I will be heading to Tucson the morning of the show and than spending the night and half of Sunday, before heading back North to Phoenix. I doubt my partner will partake in the show, because Tift won’t be going on till 11:30 or so. I’ll barely be standing by then, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy my first Tift concert regardless… Actually I really can’t wait!!!! |