Tucson International Mariachi Conference

The La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference, which has been held in Tucson since 1983, is a week long celebration of Hispanic music, art and culture. This year, it will take place from April 23 through the 26. It will feature a variety of talented mariachi and baile folklorico performers.

Groups that will be performing at the Tucson Convention Center include Lucero, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, to name a few.

High school mariachi groups are invited to participate in a Mariachi Showcase Concert competition to win a $1,500 prize and scholarship.

Perhaps the most important part of the conference is that it was created for children. The La Frontera Center Inc., a non-profit behavioral health agency, provides the opportunity for students to become involved. About 900 students travel from across the nation to learn the art of mariachi and folklorico dance. Workshops are designed not only to teach music and dance, but also to shape values such as tradition, humility and pride in one's culture.

The award-winning conference is one of the largest cultural events in the United States.

On the final day of the conference, a day-long party,The Fiesta de Garibaldi, will be held at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park. There will be two different stages featuring music and dance. There will also be Mexican food and arts and crafts tht can be purchased from vendors


Entrance fee is $5 per person, but children 16 and under are free.

From April 17 through the 27, Tucson will host the 17th Arizona International Film Festival. The festival will allow up and coming filmmakers to debut their work, and 80 films are scheduled to run featuring filmmakers from 15 different countries.

The festival, which is Arizona's longest running, attracts visitors from all over the country.

One of the films, entitled Palestine En Solidaridad (Palestine in Solidarity), is a 5 minute documentary made by J.M. Aragon. The film follows a delegation from Palestine who visit the U.S.-Mexico border with Tucson human rights group Coalición de Derechos Humanos.


The film examines the reactions of the delegation as they come face to face with the similarities between the national border crises at home and abroad. They also question the authority of those who see such walls as necessary to keep out the “unwanted.” the film will be showing April 24 at 6 p.m. in the Screening Room.

Aragon is a Tucson native who has been exploring U.S.-Mexico border issues since 2005. His documentary Presente: Inside the Migrant Trail Walk (2006) was an official selection of the Arizona International Film Festival and was featured in the debut of Filmstock at the Rialto Theater.

The festival also features a number of other films by directors from Spain and Mexico.

Single admission tickets can be purchased from $6 to $10 depending on the day and film. Passes can also be purchased. A $40 pass will allow the holder to attend 6 screenings, while a $150 pass includes all screenings, workshops and events. Beginning April 8, you can purchase your passes in advance at The Screening Room, 127 East Congress, Tuesday through Saturday from 2 to 6PM. Single admission tickets can be purchased up to two hours prior to the viewing.

Call 882-0204 for pass information.

St. Andrew's Clinic

On April 3, the students of Border Beat at the University of Arizona traveled to Nogales, Arizona.

Once a month, on the first Thursday, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is converted into St. Andrew's Children's Clinic, a non-profit organization and free medical clinic for under-privileged children from Mexico suffering from various illnesses and handicaps.

Founded in 1973, the work of St. Andrew's clinic would not be possible without the dedication of numerous volunteers and doctors that devote their time and energy to helping these children. Doctors travel from as far as Washington and California, and many from Tucson, to be a part of this mission that has positively transformed the lives of so many Hispanic families that have been fortunate enough to utilize their services.

St. Andrew's operates from donations from the public, and perhaps one of it's largest accomplishments is it's ability to ensure that 94% of the proceeds go back to the children.

The clinic is issued 250 permits each month, and 7 men are responsible for traveling to the border to transport children and their families back to the site for medical attention.


The medical staff and volunteers have touched the lives of many and have created some incredible miracles along the way.

My personal experience at St. Andrew's was extremely eye-opening. I had never been witness to such an extraordinary project that affects so many people. It was apparent that without the aid of everyone at the clinic, most of the children would never be able to lead normal lives. My visit to St. Andrews is one I'll never forget and I hope to return to volunteer my own time some day.

The video below shows an overview of the main waiting room at St. Andrew's. Here, families wait to be seen and children play and do arts and crafts to pass the time.

BORDER: THE MOVIE

In this documentary, BORDER, California filmmaker Chris Burgard examines the U.S.-Mexico border from every angle, then allows the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions as to the state of the border crisis. It shows the human consequences of our insecure southern border.

The film looks at border issues such as illegal immigration, drug smuggling, and Mexican military incursions. Burgard uses hidden film crews to expose many horrific events that occur on and around the border.

The movie is intended to show the failed system and policy of the Mexico border through firsthand experience.

The documentary has garnered several awards across the nation including the 2007 best documentary at the California Independent Film Festival.

The film can be purchased online.

Please click below to view the trailer.

El Sur: A Little Restaurant In Big Demand

Tucked away in a bright yellow building on 22nd Street at Craycroft is some of the most delicious and affordable Mexican food in Tucson.

El Sur, a no-frills family-owned operation was a secret...for awhile. When people caught on, the tiny little restaurant became packed daily with people who can't get enough of the authentic cuisine.






The restaurant, which was constructed of an old house, is much too small to meet the demands for the food. However, the service is amazing. El Sur is the perfect place to go to eat in a hurry. The dish usually comes about ten minutes after being ordered. The family who owns and operates the restaurant is incredibly friendly and quick to refill a drink when they notice it is empty. Which is a very good thing due to the spicy food they serve up.

Perhaps the best part of El Sur is it's affordable menu. Full plates cost an average of about $5.50... and the plates are huge. I have yet to finish an entire entree. Almost everything is served with a generous portion of refried beans topped with melted cheese and a large side of Spanish rice. The fajitas are a great choice. The shrimp fajitas are featured in the photo below.



The chips and salsa are also homemade and fantastic. A convenient feature of the restaurant is that each table is equipped with bottles of salsa at all times, ensuring that you will never have to wait for someone to bring you more. Which would happen, since the salsa is great on everything on the plate!



My favorite part of dining at El Sur would have to be the grilled jalapenos and onions that one server walks around with during the meal. You can request as many as you want. They are very spicy though, so if you aren't too fond of spicy foods, skip the jalapenos.

El Sur is a great family-friendly restaurant and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inexpensive but impressive Mexican food experience.

Mexican Food With An Emphasis On The Sea

Finding good Mexican-style seafood in Tucson isn't the easiest task.

Some restaurants offer seafood dishes, but the focus of most Mexican restaurants is on the burritos and enchiladas.

At El Mezon Del Cobre, the shrimp, fish and scallops are what really count. But the restaurant also offers all of the standard options as well.

On a recent visit to El Mezon Del Cobre, I ordered the Cameron Natural, a delicious seafood dish featuring broiled shrimp in lime juice topped with onions and tomatoes. It was fresh and fantastic, and was only about $13.

If you're looking for an even better deal, head to El Mezon for the lunch specials, everyday from 11-3. Combination plates with just about any menu item you can imagine range from $4.95 to $7.25.

The most popular item on the menu is the Sopa Marinera, a stew made with seven different types of seafood! There is also a great Sopa de Pescada, or fish soup, for the slightly less adventurous.

For a couple, a good choice would be the Pargo Frito, which is a whole large fried fish.

If seafood isn't your thing, don't be deterred! El Mezon offers great traditional Mexican dishes as well. Chicken tacos, fajitas, burros and the like can all be found on the menu.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is special as well. Bright walls accompanied by interesting art and a colorful bar set the scene for a fun night out with friends or a date. On Friday and Saturday nights, a great mariachi band plays also!

El Mezon Del Cobre is a delicious an affordable option for lunch or dinner, and offers fresh seafood selections that are, in my opinion, some of the best in town.

Film Uses Humor to Show Importance of Hispanics in the U.S.

A Day Without A Mexican, directed by Sergio Arau, is a satirical movie that debuted in 2004 that shows the necessity of the Hispanic community to the United States.

In the film, a fog engulfs California, cutting off all communication past the state line. The fog also causes all people of Hispanic descent, including native born, citizens and non-citizens as well as legal and illegal immigrants to slowly disappear. The disappearance of such a large segment of the population of the state causes the non-Hispanic population to realize the importance of Hispanics to everyday life as chaos ensues.

The State Senate Leader in the film, a man who uses anti-Hispanic jargon as a crutch in his career, is especially affected by the disappearance, politically and personally. As the employer of a Hispanic housekeeper, he is shaken by the problems caused for himself and the rest of the population, and makes it his duty to recover the missing population.

The movie uses satire and humor to show a real social issue. Hispanics represent an important and crucial part of the economy of the U.S. Without this part of the population, many people would lose their jobs (in the movie, Border Patrol is used as an example), and many people would be lost altogether, as Hispanics make up a large part of the labor force in the United States.

The movie also shows that not all Hispanics are Mexican, illegals, or Spanish speaking. The film tears down racist stereotypes and highlights the importance of this ethnic group to our country. The best part about this movie is that it is entertaining even as it illustrates a very real issue.

I would absolutely recommend that anyone, especially anyone who has ever uttered a prejudice word about the presence of Hispanics in the U.S., watch this movie to be enlightened and educated while having a good laugh.

Wildlife of the Borderlands

An exciting and beautiful place to visit in Tucson is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, located on the west side of town (Click here for directions).

Founded in 1952 by William Carr and Arthur Pack, the Desert Museum is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Sonoran Desert. It is an institution committed to researching and protecting the land, plants, and the animals of the Sonoran Desert region.

Along with gorgeous views of the Tucson desert, cacti and surrounding mountains, the museum offers a variety of live animal exhibits featuring habitats that are built to resemble natural settings.

The museum, which is outdoors for the most part, offers 300 different animal species, 1,200 different types of plants, and is spread out over 2 miles of paths on 21 acres of desert.

The Desert Museum is a popular attraction for both young and old alike. The amazing collection of wildlife is so entertaining that you won't realize how much you are learning along the way.







The museum currently operates by funding through entirely by admissions, memberships, contributions and grants. Admission for adults is $13, and for children 6-12 it is $4.25. Prices decrease during the summer months from June through August, to $9.25 and $2.25 respectively.

The grounds offer plenty of places to eat and shop as well.

There is so much to look at at the Desert Museum, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to see, everything, so if you plan to go, plan to make a day of it! And wear sunscreen, there is little in the way of covering in most places.








My last piece of advice is to make sure not to miss Cat Canyon, my personal favorite part of the museum. Mountain Lions, bobcats and ocelots roam the area, and catching them during hunting time is priceless. Another highlight is the river otter exhibit, which offers both above and underwater viewing.







Click play on the video below to watch the otters swimming and playing in their exhibit:





The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a great place to spend a day in Tucson, and this zoo isn't just for children! It is enjoyable for all ages.

Gallery In The Sun

One of Tucson's hidden treasures is located in the desert of the Foothills. It is an art gallery first and foremost, but the Gallery in the Sun is much more than that. It is one of the most interesting displays of Southwest art and architecture in the city.



Ettore "Ted" DeGrazia (1909-1982) designed and built the gallery in the early 1950's out of traditional adobe brick, where he lived with his wife Marion. DeGrazia, a University of Arizona graduate and transcendent of Italian immigrants, drew much of his inspiration from the Southwest. The six permanent collections of his art work displayed in the gallery represent historical events and the native cultures of the Southwest.
After his early paintings were published, DeGrazia traveled to Mexico and worked with mural artists Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. DeGrazia's murals can be found on the walls of the Gallery in the Sun, an open-roofed building.


After his death, the "Little Gallery" was opened as a way for lesser-known artists to display their work. Currently, Geri Niedermiller, 65, is showing her collection of intricate colored pencil drawings that resemble photographs more so than human-made artwork.


The gallery is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. It is located at 6300 N. Swan Road. Prints and books of DeGrazia's work can be purchased in the gift shop or online.


The Gallery in the Sun is rich with the culture of the Southwest. DeGrazia's colorful paintings are incredibly unique and not to be missed on a visit to Tucson.

The Tucson Peace and Music Festival

Hundreds of mellow Tucsonans gathered Saturday to take part in Tucson's 26th Annual Peace Fair and Music Festival. Live music continuously played to the crowd as they lied on blankets in the grass of Reid Park's DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, all united in the common goal of non-violence.

The event, which was free and ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featured about 50 booths that lined the perimeter of the center. The booths housed different organizations, art, and projects, ranging from marijuana legalization groups to human and civil rights activists.

There were also plenty of home-made crafts to peruse and purchase, like colorful glass mosaics and intricate jewelery. Proceeds for many of the crafts benefited different causes, such as woven bracelets supporting the end of genocide for the Wayuu people of Northern Colombia and Northwest Venezuela.

The fair takes place every year and is sponsored by the Tucson Peace Center. The goal is to provide an event that is both educational and fun to provide information and activities about peace, social justice, labor and the environment.

Although the stands were an attraction for many who attended the fair, most just wanted to enjoy the sunny weather and great music. Some of the bands included Mitzi Cowell, Spirit Familia, and The Raging Grannies to name a few. Families gathered and children ran around barefoot, faces painted, as the sounds of various genres of music filled the air.

But my favorite part of the day was the entrance to the fair, where people were greeted by a group holding signs that read, "FREE HUGS." Because who doesn't need a hug every once in a while?

A frown was not to be found at the Tucson Peace Fair and Music Festival, but plenty of tie-dye and charity was. Peace, Love and Harmony, man.

An Array of Colorful Art from Around Nogales, Mexico

Throughout the streets and shops of Nogales, Mexico pieces of intricate artwork can be appreciated almost anywhere you turn. From paintings to metal work, pottery to flatware, mostly everything you see is infused with an artistic touch.

The largest influence on Mexican artwork is religion, namely the Catholic religion. Ornate and colorful crosses hang around restaurants and stores. The Wilson family, owners of the building that houses La Roca, one of the most famous retaurants along the border on the Mexico side, also owns an art shop that resides below the restaurant.

El Changarro houses furniture, antiques, pottery and dish ware, ceremonial masks, and plenty of beautiful paintings. According to Bon Wilson, the family travels around Mexico to find the most eye-catching pieces. Some of the destinations include Guerrero, Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca. The hand-crafted artwork is popular with tourists to the area.

Wilson carries many religious pieces in his shop.

"The Guadalupe Virgin (Virgin Mary) and saints are main figures in much of the arts in the country," he explains. "Mexican culture is deeply rooted in religion."

Wherever you turn in Nogales, the rich artistic background of Mexico is apparant.

The Infamous Sonoran Hot Dog

Anytime I make a new friend that did not grow up in Tucson, I look forward to introducing them to one of the city's specialties: The Sonoran, or Mexican hot dog. I usually have a little trouble convincing people that some of the best food in Tucson comes from obscure metal food stands located on the side of the road, but to this day, no one has been disappointed. A hot dog is wrapped in bacon, grilled and topped with beans, onions and jalepeno. Many variations of the local treat are available. Here, a guide to the best places to enjoy your first Mexican hot dog.

Although plenty of amazing Mexican food stands exist in Tucson, there is one that stands out among the rest as the most popular. El Guero Canelo, which began as a tiny 6' by 8' stand, has grown into one of the Tucson's most infamous places to eat. The Contreras family opened the business in 1993 and has since had to expand. The hot dogs are the restaurant's specialty, but they also serve other traditional items from quesadillas to tacos and even breakfast on the weekends. My favorite part (besides the hot dogs) is the soda served in glass bottles. El Guero Canelo has two locations, and maps to each can easily be printed from the website.

Another great place to go for Mexican hot dogs is BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs.
The menu is similar to that of El Guero Canelo, and there are also twp locations. My favorite part about this restaurant is the special they have on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. During this happy hour, domestic bottles of beer can be purchased for just 99 cents.

Mexican hot dogs can also be found on stands along 4th avenue, and are a staple among the late-night bar crowd that congregates there on the weekends. Anywhere you go, a Sonoran dog can generally be purchased for around $3. Or try making your own!

Art of the Past and Present

The University of Arizona features many different attractions related to border culture. Recently, I visited the Arizona State Museum to check out some of the new exhibits. There was a lot of interesting things to look at, but I was most interested in the Paths of Life exhibit.



The exhibit focuses on different cultures surrounding Arizona and northwest Mexico, and takes a look at the progress each has made throughout history. There is information about the origins, history and life today for each of the different cultures, shown through photos and artifacts.

I observed mainly the Seris, who lived along the Mexican border. The fascinating part was that much of the art they produced long ago is still in modern production, and a lot of the jewlery they made resembles closely the jewelery that can still be found and purchased on the streets and shops of Mexico today. The baskets they made

continue to be prized by art collectors as well.



They began making sculpted ironwood carvings in the 1960's, and the wooden statues of various land and sea mammals are often still popular on the beaches of Mexico. The sale of these crafts provided an important source of income for the Seri back then, and still provide a source of revenue for Mexican craftspeople today.

The art in the Paths of Life exhibit was fascinating, and there is much to learn about border culture at the Arizona State Museum.

Unique Mexican Cuisine

Tucson is filled with restaurants that boast authentic Mexican cuisine. Although there are a number of good Mexican restaurants around town, it is easy to get stuck somewhere that is over-priced, eating meals that are little better than those found at Taco Bell.

At La Indita on 4th Avenue, they mean it when they say authentic.

The charming restaurant located on North 4th Avenue has been a staple in Tucson since February 1983, when it opened at it's original location on South Scott street. With little room to serve the faithful patrons that continued to return time after time for the delicious dishes, the business moved to it's current location in the summer of 1985.

La Indita is not your run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant. That is because they serve genuine Tarascan Mexican-Indian dishes. You won't find anything doused in sour cream or covered in layers of cheese. The menu has tons of vegan and vegetarian options, and there are no animal sources used to make the beans or rice. They also serve homemade tortilla chips and salsa. Most of the food is healthy and grease-free.

The environment inside the restaurant is cozy and comfortable, and almost as important of an attraction as the food. Cultural artifacts decorate the interior, and some of the walls are covered by intricate painted murals. The reason that the restaurant is so intimate and family friendly could have something to do with the fact that La Indita has been family owned and operated since it's inception.

"It's always, always been in the family," says Rachel Karger, a family member and server at La Indita. "Through thick and thin, fights, everything."

Karger says that the most popular dishes are the spinach enchiladas and the chicken enchiladas with green sauce. She attributes this to the special sauce that covers many of the items on the menu.

If you're looking for authentic Mexican food that is extremely affordable (About $10 for a large-portion combination plate), La Indita, in my opinion, is the best bet in town.

Spice Up Your Life

The place to read about Hispanic influenced arts and entertainment