Top Stories Tucson

What’s New in Tucson
July 2011

San Xavier Mission Public Tours.  The Mission San Xavier del Bac, located nine miles south of downtown Tucson, is offering free guided tours for the first time in its 214-year history. Volunteer docents lead 45-minute tours, Monday – Saturday, and explain the mission’s rich history and ornate interior that includes painted murals and original statuary. Tours of the mission, a National Historic Landmark, are made possible through Patronato San Xavier, a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization founded in 1978 to promote the restoration, maintenance, and preservation of the mission, which was completed in 1797. The tour schedule is subject to change because the mission is a working Roman Catholic Church. Information is under Docent Tours on SanXavierMission.org.

Monsoon Monday Nights. Tucson’s summer monsoon rains are created by moisture-laden air flowing from the Sea of Cortez, located about 200 miles southeast of Tucson. This unique body of water and its flora and fauna are featured at the Children’s Museum Tucson in the Ocean Discovery Center created by the Sonoran Sea Aquarium. Curious kids get to enjoy a hands-on experience about marine life at the Ocean Discovery Center, one of the museum’s nine permanent exhibits that, along with ongoing activities and events, promise play-based learning for children ages 12 and under. The museum celebrates summer with its “Monsoon Monday Nights” special that includes $2 admission and science-themed activities, Memorial Day through Labor Day. (520-792-9985, ChildrensMuseumTucson.org)

Cars, Boats & Motorcycles.  The Tucson Motor Show will return to Tucson Convention Center Arena for the second consecutive year on Saturday, Aug. 6. Southern Arizona’s largest indoor motor expo will feature live music on multiple stages; carnival-style food; and children’s activities, such as inflatable obstacle courses, slides, a rock wall, and a joust area. But the main attraction will be the hundreds of vehicles on display, ranging from classic cars, boats, and hot rods to motorcycles, fire engines, and flight simulators. Fans can vote for their favorites at the Indoor Classic Car and Motorcycle Show. (TucsonMotorShow.com)

Tucson’s 236th Birthday. Though archaeologists say Tucson was inhabited by Native Americans at least 4,000 years earlier, the City of Tucson was officially founded as a Spanish fortress on August 20, 1775. Throughout the month of August special events will celebrate Tucson’s 236th birthday. A Flag Raising Ceremony on August 20, 2011 at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson – an interpretive center modeled after the original Spanish presidio – will feature the five flags that have flown over Tucson: USA, Spanish, Mexican, Confederate, and State of Arizona as well as the flags of the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pasqua Yaqui Tribe. (520-791-4873, TucsonPresidiotrust.org) (520-791-4873, TucsonsBirthday.org)

Tucson Spanish & Flamenco Festival. Casa Vicente restaurant, in downtown Tucson, presents the third annual Tucson Spanish and Flamenco Festival, September 22-25. This four-day festival will include authentic Spanish fare, fine wine tasting,  and an outdoor stage featuring more than 20 local and guest flamenco artists from around the country. Performances and events on the restaurant’s beautiful outdoor stage happen nightly, along with fashion shows, contests, fantastic tapas, and more. Special guest artists will offer flamenco workshops in dance, song, and guitar. (520-884-5253, casavicente.com)

Cool Weather, Fall Festival. The Patagonia Fall Festival, one of Arizona’s best small-town festivities, celebrates 23 years of music, art, and family fun with nonstop entertainment and 125 exhibitors, October 7-9 at Patagonia Town Park, located on Arizona Scenic Route 82, between Sonoita and Nogales, about one hour from Tucson and three hours from Phoenix by car. (520-394-0060, 888-794-0060, patagoniafallfestival.com)

Mt. Lemmon Marathon & Half Marathon. The toughest and most scenic road marathon in the world, and the only uphill marathon in the United States that includes 6,000 feet of climbing, is in Tucson, Arizona. The second annual Tucson Medical Center Mt. Lemmon Marathon and Half Marathon takes place October 23, 2011 starting at 6 a.m. Thousands of runners from around the world are expected to take advantage of this world-class scenic course, which progresses from Sonoran Desert cacti to Coronado National Forest pines, and promises balmy Southern Arizona weather. Registration closes October 20, 2011. (mountlemmonmarathon.com)

Luxury Brand Expands in Tucson. Nambé, a company recognized worldwide for its museum-quality designs in the luxury tabletop and gift market, chose Tucson for its first retail store to be opened outside of New Mexico. The Nambé store in Tucson is open at La Encantada shopping and dining center. Nambé was established in the town of Nambé just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1951, and has grown from a single foundry to a major player in the housewares market. Considered an exceptional example of American style and craftsmanship, Nambé is a fitting addition to Tucson’s collection of specialty retailers. (520-299-0685, laencantadashoppingcenter.com)

The New Jasper Restaurant. New owners transformed the former Café Jasper, at Skyline Road and Campbell Avenue, into a cozy neighborhood gathering place featuring outstanding fare from breakfast to dinner, a casual bar, wine list, and live music. At the updated Jasper Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar, early risers can still enjoy the signature made-to-order breakfast every day, while the newly expanded lunch menu offers enticing new additions. Friday and Saturday nights, guests can groove to top local acts on the patio facing the beautiful Santa Catalina Mountains. Complete listings of weekly dinner specials and breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus are listed on jaspertucson.com. (520-577-0326)

A World of Artists. Individual tickets are on sale for the UApresents 2011-2012 season. The acclaimed professional performing-arts series at the University of Arizona (UA) in Tucson will present nearly 50 shows between September and April. The schedule blends family programming; show tunes, jazz, classical and world music; modern and Latin dance; and comedy. Featured artists include Patti LuPone, k.d. lang, Bill Maher, Garrison Keillor, Shirley MacLaine, and Larry King; a special concert will commemorate the events of September 11, 2001. The shows are staged on the UA campus at Centennial Hall, a 2,456-capacity venue constructed in 1934 that offers the charm and character of an historic building with state-of-the-art production technology. (520-621-3341, UApresents.org/)

Tucson Classic Hotels. The Tucson Classics are historical lodging properties that celebrate Tucson’s authentic Southwestern character. Whether you prefer the lush garden surroundings of the Arizona Inn (circa 1930), or wish to play golf and tennis at the intimate Lodge at Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club, or hanker for a real Old West experience at either White Stallion Ranch (circa 1940) or Tanque Verde Ranch Resort (circa 1868), the Tucson Classics have just the setting for a memorable stay. Visit the new website at TucsonClassics.com. Don’t miss two other Tucson landmark hotels that exude real Southwestern ambience: Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort (circa 1929, haciendadelsol.com) and Lodge on the Desert (circa 1931, lodgeonthedesert.com).

What’s New in Tucson is produced by the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau (MTCVB). For media assistance, contact Public Relations Director Jessica Stephens, jstephens@visitTucson.org. Send story ideas to Deborah Melcher, dmelcher@visitTucson.org. To be removed from or added to the mailing list, contact Isela Cano, icano@visitTucson.org.

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