Many events in summer here take place either early in the morning or in the evening to take advantage of the cooler temperature. Our company party was held yesterday at 7:00pm outdoors at the Tucson Museum of Art in the historic downtown of Tucson. My husbands and I plus over 700 others (employees and spouses) attended a very nice company party. Sitting outdoors watching the bright colors of sunset, having a before-dinner drink, eating our dinner al fresco, and then dancing under the stars are some of the wonderful perks of Southern Arizonan living. Everyone had a great time; the party was still going at midnight, even though the official closing was supposed to be at 11:30pm.
My husband and I enjoy going downtown to the various museums, walking around 4th Street and attending performances at the University. As in many cities, the Tucson downtown is getting a big face lift. Many attractive things are planned for this development, but it will take awhile for all the projects to be funded and built. In the meantime, there are still things to do downtown.
All through summer and running through October, there is a popular outdoor weekly movie event in a beautiful plaza setting in downtown Tucson. Every Thursday evening at 7:30, you can enjoy a movie in the cool summer evenings. There is no admission charge, and the popcorn is free, but a suggested per person donation of $3 is requested to help cover costs. The movies are shown at La Placita Village, 110 S. Church Ave. What a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your neighbors and friends. For additional info, see: www.cinemaLaPlacita.com
The Tucson Zoological Society presents MonZOOn Movie Magic every Friday night through the end of June. So bring your kids, a blanket and lawn chairs, and head to the Zoo at Reid Park for movie watching under the stars. There are also other activities including face painting, animal encounters, games, crafts, and Leo the Lion mascot appearances.
Besides things mentioned above, you can check out the Twilight Thursdays at the Tucson Botanical Gardens at 2150 N. Alvernon Way, (520) 326-9686. They are going to have live entertainment and food under the stars. You can also go to shows at a number of theaters. Our favorite is The Gaslight Theater; it specializes in funny, campy musicals. It's much easier to get tickets there in summer, now that the snowbirds and tourists have gone for the season.
Hope you are enjoying your summer evenings in Southern Arizona like the natives do.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Some Cool Things to do in the heat of Southern Arizona's Summer
Summer has arrived here in Southern Arizona. Who would want to visit Southern Arizona in this heat? Ah, there are many cool things one can do here, especially when prices are discounted or even free, and you don't have to wait in any lines for most things. It IS worthwhile for the whole family to be in Southern Arizona this time of year.
For example, this Saturday 6/6, you can attend the following musical events.
If you are in the East side of town, you can bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the music of The Arizona Symphonic Winds, Southern Arizona's premier community concert band. They are having an outdoor concert featuring young musicians Zoe Sorrell on flute and piccolo and Carissa Powe on violin. It is at 7 pm at Udall Park Amphitheater, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road. For more details you can call 721-2068. This is a music series going through the summer. We always enjoy being outside in the early evening and listening to music.
If you are near the Foothills, you can enjoy the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council's Summer Concert Series at La Encantada, featuring Jazz with vocalist Julie Ann performing classic jazz standards in the style of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Julie London and Peggy Lee. The concert is at 7:30 pm at the La Encantada shopping center at 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Admission is $10, you can call 299-6888. for details.
On Sunday 6/7, you can also attend the following two concerts.
If you are in the Central part of town, you can listen to Music Under the Stars with the Tucson Pops Orchestra, featuring Nancy Davis Booth performing a medley of favorites including Puccini, Mozart, and Gershwin classics. The concert is free at 7 pm at Reid Park's DeMeester Center, 900 S. Randolph Way. For details, call 791-4873.
If you are on the North West side of town, you can hear Music in the Park at Oracle State Park's Kannally Ranch, with the Fiveway Street band performing Woodstock era tunes. The concert is at 7 pm at 3820 Wildlife Drive, Oracle. Admission is $10, you can call (520) 896-2425 for details.
These are musical venues for this weekend, great evenings when you are winding down and relaxing from a day of sight-seeing or daily life. During the day, when you are sight seeing, the following are highly recommended. You will get out the sun's heat and still experience the wonders of Southern Arizona, both natural and man-made. We have visited all the places below and enjoyed them all.
Kartchner Caverns - If you've never visited Kartchner Caverns near Benson, now's the time to plan a trip. We have been there with our kids, and it's really worth the short drive from Tucson. From June 1 to Sept. 4, the entrance price for Kartchner's 75-minute Rotunda/Throne Room tour is reduced. Adult admission will be $12, a savings of almost $7; for children ages 7-13, it will be $5, about half the regular price. Children 6 and under are always free. The temperatures are much cooler (below 70) in the caverns, so this is a terrific summer excursion. Check out the Park's website - http://www.azparks.gov/Parks/KACA/index.html
Whipple Observatory – The Observatory is located in Amado, at the base of Mt. Hopkins in the Santa Rita Mountains, 35 miles south of Tucson, and just within the boundary of the Coronado National Forest. Southern Arizona is famous for star watching. Guided bus tours for the public are conducted from mid-March through November. The tours originate at the Visitors Center, which opens at 8:30 am A video presentation begins there at 9 am. The tour bus then leaves the Center at 9:30 am. and returns by 3 pm. You need to make an advance reservation by calling (520) 670-5707. The tour participants should dress warmly, bring lunches, and be prepared for some moderate exertion, because of the 8550 foot altitude. http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/facilities/flwo/visit_center.html
Mount Lemmon near Tucson, is another amazing place to go. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lemmon The weather in Mount Lemmon is totally different than that of Tucson. It is much cooler because of the higher elevation. In the Winter, when it is very mild in Tucson, you can go up to Mount Lemmon and actually ski or snowboard! During the summer time of year, it could be 100 degrees in Tucson, but the temperature in Mount Lemmon could be in the 70's. It's the perfect temperature to go hiking, camping, fishing, or just sit around and read a book in the shade of big evergreen trees. As you drive up the Catalina Highway from Tucson going towards Summerhaven atop Mount Lemmon, you will see definite changes in the surrounding vegetation, as if you were driving north from Arizona to Canada.
So enjoy your stay here and stay cool, be sure to carry water with you everywhere you go.
For example, this Saturday 6/6, you can attend the following musical events.
If you are in the East side of town, you can bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the music of The Arizona Symphonic Winds, Southern Arizona's premier community concert band. They are having an outdoor concert featuring young musicians Zoe Sorrell on flute and piccolo and Carissa Powe on violin. It is at 7 pm at Udall Park Amphitheater, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road. For more details you can call 721-2068. This is a music series going through the summer. We always enjoy being outside in the early evening and listening to music.
If you are near the Foothills, you can enjoy the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council's Summer Concert Series at La Encantada, featuring Jazz with vocalist Julie Ann performing classic jazz standards in the style of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Julie London and Peggy Lee. The concert is at 7:30 pm at the La Encantada shopping center at 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Admission is $10, you can call 299-6888. for details.
On Sunday 6/7, you can also attend the following two concerts.
If you are in the Central part of town, you can listen to Music Under the Stars with the Tucson Pops Orchestra, featuring Nancy Davis Booth performing a medley of favorites including Puccini, Mozart, and Gershwin classics. The concert is free at 7 pm at Reid Park's DeMeester Center, 900 S. Randolph Way. For details, call 791-4873.
If you are on the North West side of town, you can hear Music in the Park at Oracle State Park's Kannally Ranch, with the Fiveway Street band performing Woodstock era tunes. The concert is at 7 pm at 3820 Wildlife Drive, Oracle. Admission is $10, you can call (520) 896-2425 for details.
These are musical venues for this weekend, great evenings when you are winding down and relaxing from a day of sight-seeing or daily life. During the day, when you are sight seeing, the following are highly recommended. You will get out the sun's heat and still experience the wonders of Southern Arizona, both natural and man-made. We have visited all the places below and enjoyed them all.
Kartchner Caverns - If you've never visited Kartchner Caverns near Benson, now's the time to plan a trip. We have been there with our kids, and it's really worth the short drive from Tucson. From June 1 to Sept. 4, the entrance price for Kartchner's 75-minute Rotunda/Throne Room tour is reduced. Adult admission will be $12, a savings of almost $7; for children ages 7-13, it will be $5, about half the regular price. Children 6 and under are always free. The temperatures are much cooler (below 70) in the caverns, so this is a terrific summer excursion. Check out the Park's website - http://www.azparks.gov/Parks/KACA/index.html
Whipple Observatory – The Observatory is located in Amado, at the base of Mt. Hopkins in the Santa Rita Mountains, 35 miles south of Tucson, and just within the boundary of the Coronado National Forest. Southern Arizona is famous for star watching. Guided bus tours for the public are conducted from mid-March through November. The tours originate at the Visitors Center, which opens at 8:30 am A video presentation begins there at 9 am. The tour bus then leaves the Center at 9:30 am. and returns by 3 pm. You need to make an advance reservation by calling (520) 670-5707. The tour participants should dress warmly, bring lunches, and be prepared for some moderate exertion, because of the 8550 foot altitude. http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/facilities/flwo/visit_center.html
Mount Lemmon near Tucson, is another amazing place to go. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lemmon The weather in Mount Lemmon is totally different than that of Tucson. It is much cooler because of the higher elevation. In the Winter, when it is very mild in Tucson, you can go up to Mount Lemmon and actually ski or snowboard! During the summer time of year, it could be 100 degrees in Tucson, but the temperature in Mount Lemmon could be in the 70's. It's the perfect temperature to go hiking, camping, fishing, or just sit around and read a book in the shade of big evergreen trees. As you drive up the Catalina Highway from Tucson going towards Summerhaven atop Mount Lemmon, you will see definite changes in the surrounding vegetation, as if you were driving north from Arizona to Canada.
So enjoy your stay here and stay cool, be sure to carry water with you everywhere you go.
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