Culture in Tucson, Arizona - Part Two

November 5, 6:16 AMKansas City Cultural Travel ExaminerLysa Allman-Baldwin

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The magnificent Saguaro Cactus - the symbol of the desert Southwest

Native flora, fauna and wildlife plays a significant in Tucson’s cultural landscape, and a great place to experience some of this is at Tohono Chul Park.

Listed by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the Ten Great Botanical Gardens in the world, and by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 22 Secret Gardens in the U.S. and Canada, Tohono Chul Park—or "desert corner" in the Tohono O'odham Native American language—is an unbelievably enchanting urban oasis.

Encompassing 49-acres, the property is recognized as a leading Southwest center of desert nature, arts and culture, offering all kinds of outdoor desert habits, nature trails, diverse gardens, permanent and changing art and artifact exhibits, events and educational activities for residents and visitors alike.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is another fascinating attraction that encompasses three-entities--a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden--all rolled into one. Designed “to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert,” the museum spans 21 acres near Saguaro National Park on the west side of town.       

Those who love to shop will find a wealth of cultural and native Arizona gifts at several spots around town. The Old Town Artisans Complex located downtown speaks to the city’s early ethnically diverse history, offering a wide selection of Native American, Mexican and Southwestern textiles, crafts, jewelry, pottery and other items. The Lost Barrio is another eclectic mixture of Southwestern and ethnic specialties including furniture, art and clothing set in a fun, old, renovated warehouse district.

Visual, “Wildlife” and Performing Arts are plentiful as well, offering something for everyone. Featuring over 7,000 pieces, the Tucson Museum of Art features original and traveling exhibitions focusing on Art of the Americas-Columbian, Mexican folk art, and colonial works, Art of the American West, and Modern and Contemporary Art. Most of the gallery spaces are located in the five historic houses surrounding the museum in the Historic Block. Built between the mid-1850s and 1907, the structures include The Romero House, home to the Tucson Museum of Art School ceramics classes and studio; The Stevens/Duffield House dating back to the late 1800s; La Casa Cordova, one of the oldest buildings in Tucson and a reflection of life in the late 19th Century; The Corbett House, a mission-revival style two-story home restored and furnished with period pieces from the American Arts and Crafts era; and The Edward Nye Fish House, home to the Art of the American West collection.

Kids of all ages will enjoy discovery, creativity and learning at the Tucson Children's Museum, located downtown in the old Carnegie Library. Celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year, the museum features over 11,000 square feet of permanent and changing multicultural exhibits that reflect the ethnic diversity of Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Want to talk to the animals? Then check out the International Wildlife Museum. Founded in 1988, the museum is unique in that all of the animals here--some 400 species of mammals, birds and insects--were donated by captive breeding programs, zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers, government agencies and others. Highlights here include hands-on exhibits, detailed and engaging dioramas, and interactive learning tools, to name a few.

For focus on the ethnic voices and talents of the Southwest border region, visit the Borderlands Theatre professional theater company. Afrocentric music centered around song and dance from Guinea and Mali, West Africa is one of the performance highlights of The Dambe Drum Ensemble. A non-profit organization, Dambe specializes in African performing arts education and mentorship that embodies African history, culture, geography and greater world perspectives.

A series of festivals, concerts and youth programs are hosted at numerous venues by the Tucson Jazz Society. One of the country’s largest Jazz societies, the organization is in its 31^st year, boasting a list of national and international recording artists such as McCoy Tyner, Diane Schurr, Clark Terry and Poncho Sanchez, just to name a few.

African American entities and history are coming up in our next adventure.