Agave has been cultivated in the Tucson area for hundreds of years.
While tequila might be the most widely known product made from agave (a.k.a. the century plant or maguey), it’s certainly not the only one! Different species of the plant are distilled into different spirits, collectively called mezcal.
Native peoples would also use agave to make food, medicine, and even rope. They developed farming techniques to maximize the plant’s adaptability and drought-resistant qualities, so they could grow it where other crops wouldn’t thrive.
Mural of Mayahuel, the agave goddess, by Rock ‘‘CYFI’’ Martinez.
The annual Agave Heritage Festival in Tucson celebrates the plant’s natural and cultural significance. It includes special agave-centered menus at local restaurants, gardening demonstrations, concerts, lectures, mezcal tasting events, hikes to ancient agave roasting pit sites, and a re-creation of the traditional way agave hearts were cooked underground.
After the spring 2020 festival was canceled and last year’s was replaced by a monthly series of virtual talks and DIY tastings, the Agave Heritage Festival made a joyful return this past May!
It has come back as a more compact, focused four days of events – in contrast to the week (or more) it stretched out pre-pandemic.
Following right on its heels was the first annual Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta. The kickoff event for both festivals was a concert by multiple Grammy Award winning Mexican-American singer and activist Lila Downs.
One of this year’s events was the Agave Expo, which included panels, vendors, tables for organizations doing conservation work in Southern Arizona, and a plant sale. It was held on a beautiful morningin Mission Garden, a collection of demonstration gardens where a 17th-century Spanish mission once stood.
Feed the Bats
I arrived right before the first talk of the day, parking next to a woman who was alreadyloadingassorted agave purchases into her car.
“Pollination Nations” was a discussion about agave, bats, and ecology on both sides of the border.
Nectar-eating bats cross-pollinate agaves’ nighttime blooms, creating the genetic diversity essential for the plants’ long-term survival. However, agave planted for human consumption is prevented from blooming. Recent large-scale agricultural methods have lead to hungry bats and a monoculture crop that’s susceptible to disease.
The Bat Friendly project promotes more sustainable practices, encouraging growers to let 5% of the agaves they plant to live out their natural bloom cycle and allow bat pollination. Following their guidelines earns mezcal producers a special Bat Friendly™ label, as well as helping to ensure the continuation of their industry.
The panel discussing these topics was made up of experts from Bat Conservation International, Borderlands Restoration Network, and Sonora Silvestre, as well as mezcal-makers from Bacanora Batuq and Mezcal Zincantan. It was moderated by Jesús García, Research Associate at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Co-Chair of the non-profit Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace (FOTB).
(Incidentally, Moderator Jesús had returned from a trip to Mexico just in time for the Lila Downs kickoff concert and gave it rave reviews!)
On the Table
Afterwards, I wandered over to the ramada where raspados (snow cones) were being served in hollowed out half lemon peels, in exchange for donations to the garden.
They had three different flavors made from garden produce, and I was not prepared for that kind of decision making. I was especially torn between the refreshing sounding lime-mint flavor and the artisanal agave syrup, which seemed like the most fitting choice for the occasion. Then the volunteer scooping the crushed ice suggested I have both. Sold.
Sprinkled throughout the garden were informational tables and artist booths, including Found Design Sculptures by Leonard Ramirez and Cold Goose Pottery by Judy Ganz.
Found Design Sculptures by Leonard Ramirez
Tucson Audubon Society was there with resources. They were especially highlighting their Habitat at Home program, which shares ways to support birds and other pollinators from your house. One thing they suggest here in Southern Arizona is to leave your hummingbird feeder out on summer nights, because bats might stop by for a drink!
Chocolate Ritual
Before I left, I made a final stop at the Chocolate Ritual booth to pick up some of their mezcal-infused chocolate truffles. They create their chocolates to have a taste that pairs well with either mezcal or coffee. The “ritual” is as simple as sipping your preferred beverage in between bites of chocolate and savoring the combination. It’s a practice I can definitely get behind.
Another agave goddess mural by Rock ‘‘CYFI’’ Martinez!
Here’s my handpicked list of events coming up this summer in Arizona and around the world!
Happenings List
Around the World…
Beyond the Public Theater
You can see plays from The Public Theater in New York, even if you’re not in New York! The Public Theater’s digital programming – performances, playlists, series, music videos, etc. – is on their Public Play Now platform.
For even more ways to watch, check On Broadway and Beyond to see which productions are being broadcast, streaming, and/or coming to a stage near you. Audiences can catch Hamilton, for example, on its North American tour, and later on in England, Germany, or Australia. (If you’re not ready/able to go to a live show, it’s also on Disney+.)
European and American concert tour by a newly-formed ensemble of top Ukrainian musicians, in support of Ukraine and its artists.
As the conductor, Canadian-Ukrainian maestro Keri-Lynn Wilson, put it, “This tour is an expression of love for their homeland and to honor those who have died and have suffered so much.”
July 28: Opening concert at Teatr Wielki–Polish National Opera, Warsaw.
July 31: Proms Festival, London performance will be televised on BBC Four (U.K.) + the audio will be streamed live on BBC Sounds (international).
August 18-20: U.S. concerts in New York and D.C. will wrap up the tour.
Sale of artwork to raise funds for humanitarian aid at the Arizona-Sonora Border. THIRST 2022 will support Tucson based nonprofits No Más Muertes/No More Deaths and The Florence Immigrant + Refugee Rights Project. It also benefits the contributing artists, who each determine what percentage of their sales they’ll keep versus donate.
July 2-9 / online
Screenshot from Virtual Tour of the Pottery Project Exhibit at Arizona State Museum.
Exhibition of quilts throughout the botanical gardens and sale benefiting organizations working to eradicate breast and gynecologic cancers, as well as a portion that goes to TBG.
Now – August 21 / Tucson at Tucson Botanical Gardens (TBG) / Included with admission.
Weekly market providing fresh, seasonal produce that’s grown within a 50-mile radius of Camp Verde. There are also breads, meat, flowers, crafts and live music.
June 25: Kids Day! Oak Creek School students will be selling produce and flower bouquets from the school gardens to raise money toward the school’s Agriculture/STEM program.
BYO bags or purchase reusable ones to support the market’s efforts to go plastic free!
Now – October 1, Saturdays 8am-11am / Camp Verde (Northern Arizona) at Main and Hollamon / Free.
Local artisan market on Mt. Lemmon held Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, starting Memorial Day weekend. Part of the proceeds benefit Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB).
Now – October / Summerhaven (Tucson area) next to the General Store
Dogs are allowed in TBG 7 days a week all summer long! Canine companions will find shaded pathways for walks, interesting things to sniff, and snacks at the café.
June 1 – September 30 / Tucson at Tucson Botanical Gardens / Dog admission $3 + human admission ($15)
Release show for Sharkk Heartt’s new single “How to Love” at Groundworks, a nonprofit organization promoting the youth-driven music and arts community in Tucson. Musicians Imogen Rose, Freddy Jay Walker, and Pineross will also be performing.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccine or negative test within 48 hours required.
Masks required indoors.
June 4, 7pm / Tucson at Groundworks (2919 E. Grant Rd.) / Tickets $10. / All ages show.
Hands-on collaborative workshop series that will teach mesquite management and artisan skills that can enhance Southern Arizona habitats. Workshops will be conducted outdoors and will provide practical knowledge on fine woodworking, mesquite as a local food source, and how to manage mesquite on your property.
Register in advance by emailing the Borderlands Restoration Network contact person for your class (listed on the events page).
Classes are limited to 20 participants.
June 10, 11, 24, 25: Single-day summer classes in Patagonia and Nogales, Arizona.
October 14 – 16: Beekeeping and Honey Production, Patagonia.
October 22: Mesquite Pod Milling + Food Safe Processing of Mesquite Flour, Patagonia.
Patagonia + Nogales (Southeastern Arizona) / June 11 – October 22 / Free. / Ages 18+
Eight-day festival of lavender grown in northeastern Arizona’s White Mountains. See the fields in bloom, learn about growing and cooking with lavender, and visit the lavender shop.
Red Rock Ranch is also a vineyard, winery, and producer. The wine tasting room will be open during the festival.
VIP Festival Package ($20) includes a wine tasting, cheese plate, and 10% off wine purchases.
Regular hours for the farm: Saturdays, 1-6pm from July 2 through November.
June 16-19 + 23-26, 9am-3pm / Concho (Northern Arizona) at Red Rock Ranch and Farms / Free.
Family-friendly event featuring live entertainment from local musical performers, educational workshops, a youth essay contest, children’s activities, vendors, and games. Authentic soul food and beverages available to purchase.
Free parking at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (15th Street + Jefferson)
Light rail stop: 12th St./Washington or 12th St./Jefferson
Around the first week of July, Indie Week encourages Arizonans to “go local” by supporting as many locally owned businesses as possible. This year, complete 5 Calls-to-Action on your Indie Week bingo card for a chance to win gift cards, tickets to sporting events, and other prizes!
Fine arts and crafts festival that takes place over the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends in a grassy park in Downtown Flagstaff. A juried selection of 70 artists from across the Southwest will show their handmade work while live music plays throughout the event. There will also be various types of food available and the Shady Beer Garden, featuring beer local and regional breweries.
July 2-4 + September 3-5 / Flagstaff at Wheeler Park / Free.
Shop the nursery’s full selection of native plants and seeds with music and retail booths from local farmers and artisans including Patagonia Flower Farm, Patagonia Plants, and Shooting Star Pottery.
July 16-17 / Patagonia (Southeastern Arizona) at Borderlands Nursery + Seed
4-day festival for recreational birders, featuring a Nature Expo / vendor fair, field trips, workshops, photography events, social hours, and evening programs. It’s organized by Tucson Audubon Society, a nonprofit for engaging people in the conservation of birds and their habitats.
Nature Expo is free to attend.
Registration fee required for festival participants who are attending fee-based activities, like field trips, workshops, and evening programs.
Scholarships available.
August 10-14 / Tucson at DoubleTree Hotel – Reid Park / $30 registration + activity fees
Community-based pop culture convention with a mission statement of “Pop Culture For All!”
Full weekend pass: Adults (14+) $55, Kids (ages 9-13) $10 until September 1.
Early Bird full weekend passes are $35 through July 7!
September 2-4 / Tucson at Tucson Convention Center
RinCon x TCC: Tucson’s Tabletop Game Convention, RinCon, will be collaborating with Tucson Comic-Con this year.
RinCon will present tabletop programming, panels, and games during Tucson Comic-Con (TCC) at the Tucson Convention Center (also TCC).
Additional RinCon programming will happen after hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 6:30pm – 1am, and Monday 9am – 6pm at the nearby Ramada by Wyndham.
Separate tickets are required for RinCon at the Ramada programming, which includes dinner for evening events and brunch on Monday.
“Doggie bags” at Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Finally, some things to keep in mind with the Happenings List:
I’m not in charge of anything on the List, except for picking out stuff that sounds interesting to me and sharing it with you.
I do my best to share accurate information. But there’s a chance that something is not or that something may change.
If you go to something on the List, I’d love to hear how it went! Feel free to contact me.
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