Focus On 4th
Focus on Fourth compiled by Sands Spencer of the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association.
Avenue Activities
Rendezvous VIII
Even though it is still too hot to trot, the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association is gearing up for the flurry of fall events. First on the fall agenda is the eighth annual Rendezvous, from 4:00pm to 9:00pm on September 4th. This is the Avenue’s annual welcome to students, snowbirds, and resident Tucsonans who are just sticking their heads outdoors after their summer hibernation. Rendezvous will feature free entertainment on the Delectables patio (Nick Luca Trio), Chocolate Iguana patio (The Arizona Jazz Academy), Magpies patio (Arizona Sessions DJ), the Casbah patio (Sharazad Middle Eastern Dance Troupe), and Winsett Park ( Phantom DJ, Le Cerca, Sunday Afternoon). In addition, the 2nd annual 4th Ave Fashion Show will be held at Winsett around 6:00pm. You simply had to see last year’s to believe it, or to have any idea of what to expect this year, but I can tell you it was great fun! There will also be sidewalk sales, chair massage, tarot card readers, face painters, trolley rides, and other fun for kids from 2 to 102. Call FAMA at 624-5004 for more information.
Setting the Bar Higher
Have you noticed the work going on at The Hut (NW corner of 8th St. & 4th Ave.)? Soon to reopen with a new patio area and live music, the venerable Hut has undergone a face-lift and will be an additional venue for fun and games on 4th Ave.
Not to be outdone, Plush (SW corner of 6th St. & 4th Ave) has also opened a new patio area that represents a significant increase in capacity and a new venue. Plush, noted for its great live music and comfortable décor will now also be known for the great patio.
The newly opened Surly Wench (424 N. 4th Ave) has quickly found its own niche as a live music venue, adding sounds from various alternative music genres to the Avenue music mix.
With a plethora of nightclubs, the Main Gate/4th Ave/Downtown area may be one of the areas in Tucson most impacted by the new 2:00am closing time that will go into effect this month. The recently passed bill was backed by the Arizona hospitality and tourism industry who held that the former 1:00am closing time (one of the earliest in the nation) was hurting Arizona’s tourism business. On the other side of the coin were legislators and organizations like MADD worried about the possible increase in drunken driving, accidents, and the related costs to society.
Avenue Art
The Drawing Studio (214 N. 4th Ave.) with its summer arts program, and the Dinnerware Gallery (right next door) are keeping the south end of the Avenue creative while north of 6th St. two new galleries are open for business:
Talawepi Gallery, at 545 N. 4th Ave, is the place to go if you are looking for Native American arts and crafts. Kachina dolls, baskets, rattles, Hopi quilts, ribbon shirts, pottery, rock art, even Hopi Piki Bread! A full spectrum of Native American art will be on display for sale and admiration. If you are looking for something specific and you’d like more information you can call the gallery at 358-3953.
Aztlan Artifacts Gallery, Studio, & Showroom at 519 N. 4th Ave is now open and showcasing both local and regional art as well as fossils and minerals. All genre, all backgrounds, all styles of art are to be displayed, featuring both established and yet-to-be-discovered artists. Hours are 11:00am to 6:00pm Wednesday through Friday and 11:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Private tours can be accommodated on request. Call 628-2960 for more information.
