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PRESS RELEASE
June 17, 2011
 For Immediate Release
Contact: Chelsey Killebrew, (520) 797-3959
Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance

Celebrate Independence Day at St. Philips Plaza
with patriotic-themed activities in the courtyard and surrounding stores:
Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and St Philip’s Plaza bring the arts front and center in Southern Arizona, with performances, art exhibits and specials from merchants July 1

(June 17, 2011) — Red, white and blue will cover St. Philips Plaza for the next Friday Night LIVE to celebrate Fourth of July weekend.
 
Live Dixieland jazz will light up the patriotic celebration with the River Road Ramblers, Friday, July 1.
 
The River Road Ramblers were created in 2006 to provide a Dixieland Band alternative for the Tucson area. The band is made up of eight experienced musicians on trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax, trombone, guitar, piano, bass and drums. The band plays a mix of roaring 1920′s, 30′s, 40′s and 50′s Dixieland jazz, performed in true Mardi Gras style.
 
Strolling performances throughout St. Philips Plaza, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., include guitar and vocals with Mark Garris, painting by Maddys Face and Body Art and comedic magic shows with Norm Marini. Attendees can also watch the American flag drawn right on the plaza floor by chalk artists. 
 
St. Philip’s Plaza, on the southeast corner of River Road and Campbell Avenue, offers a night of artistic entertainment and special offers from upscale merchants, for a free event the first Friday of each month this summer.
 
A K Jensen will be serving patriotic-themed cupcakes and cakes with white wine, as well as offering 25 percent off all red, white and blue merchandise.
 
The work of local artist, Donna Stover of Donna Stover Pet Portraits, will also be featured at A K Jensen.  A showing of her work will be in the store as well as a collection of greeting cards and fine art prints from her last collection – a must see for animal lovers.
 
M&I will be having patriotic cookies and iced tea for anyone wishing to stop by.
 
Kirkawa Jewelry Designs will hold a drawing for pink tourmaline and diamond earrings and also feature a special jewelry exhibition of rare, Certified Fair Trade gems and jewelry.
 
Vertically integrated gem miner and cutter Columbia Gem House, Inc. and its jewelry-manufacturing subsidiary, Trigem Designs, now offer consumers the option of Fair Trade gems, thanks to the first Fair Trade and quality assurance program in the jewelry industry.
 
Fair Trade gems are closely tracked from mine to market to ensure that every gem has been handled according to strict protocols. The protocols include environmental protection, fair labor practices at the cutting and jewelry factories and a tight chain of custody that eliminates the possibility of treated gems or synthetics being introduced into the supply chain. The program also includes promotion of cultural diversity, public education and accountability.
 
“In addition to supporting employees and taking care of the environment, protecting the quality and integrity of the product is very important,” explains Columbia Gem House President Eric Braunwart. “It extends the protection of the Fair Trade Gems program to consumers, who deserve to know exactly what they are buying.”
 
Friday Night LIVE – designed to add cultural opportunities in the community – will take once a month on Fridays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring free children’s art activities, special fashion displays, art exhibits and demonstrations from local artists, strolling performances, live music and more.
 
For years, St. Philip’s Plaza has hosted events like farmer’s markets, tango nights and jazz concerts. Now, the plaza will present a unique series bringing businesses, community members, artisans and musicians together through the arts. 
 
The courtyard is lined with restaurants and shops, including Level Bar and Lounge, Vivace, Bahti Indian Arts, Earth Made, Obsidian Galley and W. Boutique.
 
Attendees can enjoy trunk shows with food and wine samplings inside St. Philip’s Plaza boutiques and special discounts throughout the Plaza for free all summer.  
 
St. Philip’s Friday Night LIVE
When: Monthly on Fridays – June 3 to Sept. 2 – from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. Philips Plaza courtyard, southeast corner of River Road and Campbell Avenue
Cost: Free
Online: www.stphilipsplaza.com  
Phone: (520) 797-3959
 
July 1   River Road Ramblers     Dixieland Jazz                         
Aug. 5  Bryan Dean & Koko         Blues
Sept. 2  Jim Howell Band            Rock / Blues / Country / Soul
 
NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available
 
About the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for both the young and the old.
 
Organization History  
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) grew out of the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (GOVAC), an organization established in 1997 to provide artistic and cultural opportunities for residents of northwest Tucson. GOVAC eventually became one of the largest arts organizations in the region. In 2009, owing to its success, the group expanded its mission to include creation of partnerships with business, governments, and communities throughout Southern Arizona that would encourage innovative, creative cultural expression in the arts for years to come.
 
For more information about programs and events produced by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, go to www.saaca.org.

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